Nov 4, 2012; Seattle, WA, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) leads the Minnesota Vikings out of the tunnel prior to the game against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field. Seattle defeated Minnesota 30-20. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-US PRESSWIRE
Although Peyton Manning’s Denver Broncos have a better record than the Vikings, i think we can all admit that coming back from multiple knee tears is much more difficult than Manning’s neck. Adrian Peterson is leading the league in rushing not even a year after his horrific knee injury. It has been getting some notice in the media outlets, but I think AP deserves more. Players that can come back and be successful from such an injury are few and far between. Off the top of my head I can think of one player who probably had a worse injury than AP and that is Willis Mcgahee. He has bounced back from his injury while at the University of Miami to have a long NFL career. Another thing that isnt being taken into account is how many hit AP takes oppose to Manning. To be able to have the confidence to go take hits week after week and play like nothing happen is incredible. Players are often not the same person when coming off an injury, but Peterson looks just the same as he did before the injury. The work he has put in to come back with such vengeance is a miracle in itself. Never have we seen an athlete work tirelessly and so motivated to make a comeback. Probably the most amazing part is that Peterson isn’t satisfied. On numerous occasions AP has said he wants 1,500 yards. Right now he is around 1,100 with plenty of weeks to go. Both players, Manning and Peterson, are leading their teams to wins and both are deserving of the Comeback Player of the Year award, however, Peterson’s injury is seen as a career ending in some cases while Manning was able to throw a football a few weeks after surgery. I think that people overlook the fact that it still hasn’t been a year since AP’s injury, an injury that takes more than a year for most to make an attempt to comeback from. AP’s injury happen in Dec. 2011, he was running sprints by summer. Comeback Player of the Year? I may be bias, but AP is the man.