Adrian Peterson's indomitable approach to football and intense training haven't changed one iota.
Although he's 36 years old and ranks fifth on the league's all-time rushing list with 14,820 career yards, the veteran running back and former NFL Most Valuable Player isn't resting on his past accomplishments. And Peterson still has the energy and physique of a much younger man.
Peterson is convinced that his legendary training regimen and strict diet will continue to allow him to keep racing past linebackers for touchdowns.
A free agent after playing last season for the Detroit Lions and rushing for 604 yards and seven touchdowns, Peterson is remaining patient as he prepares for the upcoming NFL season and awaits a telephone call from his next NFL employer.
"The training is going well and I'm going to control the things that I can control right now, and, when that time comes, somebody will give me a call," Peterson said Thursday night in River Oaks while attending a red carpet event for San Francisco 49ers offensive tackle Trent Williams' upcoming documentary. "That's all I'm asking for. My body feels good. I came out healthy from last season. My body feels strong. I still feel young. I still feel good. I'm ready to play ball."
Peterson started 10 of 16 games last season after previous stints with the Washington Football Team, New Orleans Saints, Arizona Cardinals and the Minnesota Vikings.
The Palestine native, seven-time Pro Bowl selection and former NFL Offensive Player of the Year and Offensive Rookie of the Year is extremely motivated by something he's never achieved. Peterson, who rushed for 898 yards in 2019 and 1,042 yards in 2018 for Washington, wants to earn a Super Bowl ring before he retires.
Ranked behind Emmitt Smith (18,355 yards), Walter Payton (16,726 yards), Frank Gore (16,000 yards) and Barry Sanders (15,269 yards), Peterson, wants to achieve that elusive goal.
"Yeah, I've been chasing it for a long time," Peterson said. "It would be nice to finally get one."
Aaron Wilson has covered the NFL for 20 seasons, including the Texans, Baltimore Ravens, Tennessee Titans and Jacksonville Jaguars. He has written for The Houston Chronicle and The Baltimore Sun. He’s on Twitter: @AaronWilson_NFL and Instagram: @aaronwilson7128.