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Adrian Peterson: ‘Life is way bigger than football’

By Adam Carlson

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Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson is considered by many to be the best running back in the National Football League.  He’s shown the ability to be a threat to find the end zone every single time he touches the football.  The former NFL Most Valuable Player and league leader in rushing yards loves the game of football, but there are things that are more important in his life.

In a recent article on the ESPN website, Peterson spoke about his love for football, but also understanding that life still happens around the sport.

"“I’ve always enjoyed the game for what it is. But I would say just now, going into it, it’s even more of a game to me,” Peterson said. “I just realize it for what it is, because life is way bigger than football, the NFL, the Hall of Fame, things like that. Life is way bigger than that. That’s why I think I’ll be able to come out here and just enjoy it more."

Aug 8, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) talks along the sidelines during the game with the Oakland Raiders at TCF Bank Stadium. Vikings win 10-6. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

Adrian Peterson should be able to enjoy this upcoming season greatly.  This is a team on the rise, with a promising young quarterback and a defense that went from giving up the most points in the NFL during the 2013 season (30 points per game) to giving up the 11th most in 2014 (21.4 per game).

For a long time, Peterson carried the Minnesota Vikings on his shoulders.  It is his face that was on every piece of promotional material regarding the team.  Despite that attention, he knows he’s just one part of the big picture.

"“Going through everything and realizing you can get kind of caught up when you’re the face of the franchise, and they’ve got you all over NFL Network. But one thing to put in perspective — you realize you’re just a small piece. In the big scheme of things, they’re going to do what’s best for them. It puts things in perspective. That’s kind of how I look at things now. It’s like, I don’t owe the NFL anything. It’s a privilege for me and every other guy that’s on this field. For them, without us, they don’t make a dime. That’s how I look at it now.”"

As of now, it’s not known how much longer Adrian Peterson will be a major part of the Minnesota Vikings team and marketing.  The running back turned 30 years old in March of this year, and now he is looking just rolling with the punches.

"“I think I can play for a long time, but I’m just going to take it one year at a time and see how I feel, because I did enjoy myself, realizing how much I was missing, as far as my kids.”"

Adrian Peterson is right.  While he’s a part of the best sport on the planet (at least in my opinion), health and family are the most important things in life.  And while he can be an important part of this Minnesota Vikings team going forward, there are sometimes more important things in life to look forward to than a game.

Next: Minnesota Vikings 2015 Game By Game Previews

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