Adrian Peterson says he could quit today and make the Hall of Fame
Adrian Peterson has no shortage of confidence. He's one of the NFL's most accomplished running backs still active today with 10,190 career rushing yards. In all likelihood, he'll add to that total in 2015.
But even if he doesn't, Peterson thinks he could still make the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
"I’m going to be blunt and honest with you," Peterson said, via Mark Craig of the Star-Tribune. "I feel like if I didn’t play another snap in my life, I got the opportunity to go in the Hall of Fame right now."
As solid as Peterson has been on the field since becoming the seventh-overall selection in the 2007 NFL Draft, last season still stands as a stain on his legacy. The All-Pro running back spent 15 games on the exempt/commissioner's permission list after being indicted on felony child-abuse charges in Texas last September.
Peterson, who plans on playing deep into his 30s, believes he'll be able to overcome this major, off-the-field blemish in time.
"I don’t think it will have an impact on how I’m remembered because at the end of the day, it’s still the game of football; people looking at what you do on the field," Peterson said, per the Star-Tribune. "I think more so the fans of Minnesota [will remember] because it’s your hometown team. But not to the extent that I think you think it will be. I don’t think it will be too damning."
Despite missing almost all of last season, Peterson is still considered the league's best active running back. By the time he finally retires, his name could be in the conversation for the best running back of all time -- but even that won't be enough to satisfy him.
Peterson told the Star-Tribune that his career goal is to go down as "the greatest player" in the history of the NFL, regardless of position.
(h/t Star-Tribune)
Photo Credit: AP Photo/Jim Mone
