Adrian Peterson's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A success timeline featuring the most significant achievements of Adrian Peterson.

Adrian Peterson is a former NFL running back, widely regarded as one of the greatest in history. He played college football at Oklahoma, setting a freshman rushing record and becoming the first freshman to finish as a Heisman Trophy runner-up. Peterson ended his college career as Oklahoma's third all-time leading rusher before embarking on a successful 15-season NFL career.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

2003: Rushed for 2,960 Yards

In 2003, as a senior, Adrian Peterson rushed for 2,960 yards and 32 touchdowns, averaging 11.7 yards per carry.

2004: U.S. Army All-American Bowl and College Choice

In 2004, Adrian Peterson led the West squad with 95 yards and two touchdowns at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl and announced he would attend the University of Oklahoma, later being awarded the Hall Trophy as the U.S. Army National Player of the Year.

2004: Freshman Rushing Record

In 2004, Adrian Peterson set the freshman rushing record with 1,925 yards, becoming a unanimous All-American and the first freshman to finish as runner-up in the Heisman Trophy balloting.

2004: Freshman Season at Oklahoma

In 2004, during his freshman season at Oklahoma, Adrian Peterson rushed for a conference-leading 1,925 yards and led the nation in carries with 339, breaking several NCAA freshman rushing records.

October 14, 2007: Breakout Game Against the Bears

On October 14, 2007, Adrian Peterson had a breakout game against the Chicago Bears with a three-touchdown performance and a then-franchise record of 224 rushing yards, earning him Offensive Player of the Week honors.

October 2007: NFL Offensive Rookie of the Month

In October 2007, Adrian Peterson received the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Month award for both September and October after amassing 431 yards from scrimmage over his first three games.

November 4, 2007: Record-Breaking Performance

On November 4, 2007, Adrian Peterson broke his own franchise record and the NFL single-game rushing yard record with 296 yards and three touchdowns against the San Diego Chargers. This was his second 200+ rushing yard game as a rookie, and he also recorded 315 scrimmage yards. This performance earned him his second Offensive Player of the Week title and took him past 1,000 rushing yards for the year in just eight games.

December 2, 2007: Return from Injury

On December 2, 2007, Adrian Peterson returned to action after a knee injury, scoring two touchdowns and rushing for 116 yards against the Detroit Lions.

2007: All-Rookie Team Selection

In 2007, Adrian Peterson was named to the Pro Football Writers Association All-Rookie Team.

February 10, 2008: Pro Bowl MVP Award

On February 10, 2008, Adrian Peterson won the 2008 NFL Pro Bowl MVP award with 16 carries for 129 rushing yards and two touchdowns, becoming the first rookie since Marshall Faulk in 1994 to win the award.

2008: Leading League in Rushing

In 2008, Adrian Peterson led the league in rushing with 1,760 yards.

2008: Pro Bowl Selection

In 2008, Adrian Peterson was named as the starting running back for the NFC Pro Bowl team.

January 14, 2009: AP All-Pro Team Selection

On January 14, 2009, Adrian Peterson was named to his second AP All-Pro team in two years, recognizing his performance in the 2008 season.

2010: Fifth-Soonest to 5,000 Rushing Yards

In 2010, Adrian Peterson became the fifth-soonest player to run for 5,000 yards, achieving this milestone in his 51st game.

September 18, 2011: 6,000-Yard Milestone

On September 18, 2011, Adrian Peterson reached the 6,000-yard milestone in a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

2012: Near Record-Breaking Season

In 2012, Adrian Peterson finished the season with 2,097 rushing yards, the second-most ever for a running back in a single season. He also became the seventh player in NFL history to eclipse 2,000 rushing yards and earned the NFL Offensive Player of the Year and NFL Most Valuable Player awards.

2012: NFL MVP Award

In 2012, Adrian Peterson rushed for 2,097 yards after recovering from a severe injury and received the NFL MVP Award.

2013: Third-Soonest to 10,000 Rushing Yards

In 2013, Adrian Peterson became the third-soonest player to reach 10,000 rushing yards in NFL history.

February 26, 2015: Peterson Reinstated to the League

On February 26, 2015, Adrian Peterson was reinstated to the NFL after U.S. District Court Judge David Doty ruled in favor of the NFL Players Association's lawsuit against the NFL on Peterson's behalf.

September 9, 2018: Peterson's Debut with the Redskins

On September 9, 2018, Adrian Peterson debuted with the Washington Redskins against the Arizona Cardinals, rushing for 96 yards and moved into the top 10 on the career rushing yards list.

December 4, 2021: Peterson Activated and Scores Touchdown for Seahawks

On December 4, 2021, Adrian Peterson was activated off the practice squad for the Seahawks' game against the San Francisco 49ers. Peterson scored a rushing touchdown, tying Jim Brown for tenth on the all-time rushing touchdowns list, and becoming the first player in NFL history to score a rushing touchdown with six different teams.

February 2024: Peterson's Assets Seized

In February 2024, court records revealed that Adrian Peterson had not paid any of the $8.3 million owed to DeAngelo Vehicle Sales LLC, and some of his personal assets were forcibly seized, including his NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and NFL MVP trophies.