John Shinn
• Minnesota coach excited to have former Sooner RB
The waiting is the hardest part. That’s what Adrian Peterson did Saturday at Radio City Music Hall in New York.
He was there all morning and sat with his family while Oakland, Detroit, Cleveland, Tampa Bay, Arizona and Washington made their choices.
Then Minnesota made its decision and league commissioner Roger Goodell made it official.
“With the seventh-overall pick, the Minnesota Vikings select Adrian Peterson, running back, Oklahoma,” the commissioner said.
The wait was over.
“It was a long wait but it’s over now and I’m excited,” Peterson said after becoming the 36th former Sooner taken in the first round.
Peterson was considered the top running back available in this year’s draft despite a collarbone injury he revealed this week isn’t fully healed.
He missed seven games after suffering the injury while diving into the end zone against Iowa State. Peterson returned to the field for the Fiesta Bowl and ended his collegiate career with a 25-yard touchdown run on his final carry.
The revelation led some to believe he might tumble down the draft board, and he might have dropped a few spots because of it.
But the Vikings had no qualms with taking Peterson.
“We are obviously elated to have this guy,” Minnesota coach Brad Childress said. “He is an explosive football player that can take it to the house every time from any point on the football field. He has that type of speed and ability.
“We were able to get him in here and spend some quiet time with him, some private time. It’s such a rat race at the combine, but (he’s a) bright-eyed kid, an electric kid. We are just excited to have him in here.”
Peterson, who is the third-leading rusher in OU history with 4,045 yards, was the first OU player chosen by the Vikings since Mike Gaddis went to Minnesota in the sixth round of the 1992 draft.
Peterson also became the 31st Sooner taken in the draft during OU coach Bob Stoops’ tenure and eighth chosen in the first round.
The Sooner coach wished his former standout running back the best and said he will be missed.
“He is such a competitive player and I appreciate so much what he brought to our program,” Stoops said. “He has great pride in the way he plays and he’s extremely tough.
“Those qualities rub off on the people around him. He has the kind of competitive spirit that elevates those around him. It means an awful lot to him that the entire team does well and I think that is probably his most under-appreciated quality. As much attention as he garnered here, he was always more concerned with being respected in the locker room. Being a good teammate matters a lot to him. He genuinely cares about the people around him.”
Minnesota expects to be able to team him with running back Chester Taylor next season. Chester rushed for over 1,200 yards last year, meaning Peterson won’t be expected to carry the load immediately.
“Once I get there I’m sure we’ll discuss that more, but I’m sure between the two of us we can pound the ball,” Peterson said.
John Shinn
366-3536
jshinn@normantranscript.com
