Adrian Peterson Named NFL MVP, Offensive Player of the Year

Feb. 2, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA: Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson walks the red carpet prior to the Super Bowl XLVII NFL Honors award show at Mahalia Jackson Theater. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Adrian Peterson was tireless in insisting that he should be named MVP for his 2097-yard season. AD lobbied for the honor so much in fact that it became a little bit of a joke. Even his rival for the award, Peyton Manning, joked about AD’s endless stumping for himself. I doubt the politicking actually mattered, but in the end, AD got what he wanted. At NFL Awards Night Saturday evening, Peterson was named NFL Most Valuable Player.

Oh, and they gave him Offensive Player of the Year as well. Because why not?

You won’t get any argument for me as to Adrian’s worthiness for this award. I’ve been watching football a long, long time (cause I’m old) and I’ve never seen anything like Peterson’s 2012 season. The run he went on starting against Arizona was just ridiculous. It just went on week after week after week. You kept thinking he had to slow down but he never did. Well not until they played Houston. But Adrian was banged up in that game. He still came out the next week against Green Bay and dominated.

He dominated most of the year. Made a lot of defensive players look like clowns. Pretty much single-handedly kept the Vikings in the playoff hunt. Is that not an MVP? All due respect to Peyton Manning. Yeah, Manning had a great year too. But come on. Adrian was epic in 2012. He created some great memories for us all to cherish.

And he did it all coming off major knee surgery. Did I mention that?

No question, Adrian is MVP. And even if he wasn’t MVP, he would still be MVP. In our hearts.

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