Dec. 14, 2008; Glendale, AZ, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back (28) Adrian Peterson against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
A future Hall of Famer is using his feet to dazzle again.
It won’t be the NFL, at least not as of September 13th, but Adrian Peterson is trying on a new endeavor for size — Dancing with the Stars.
The 38-year-old, who has not expressly retired from the NFL, will join the 32nd season of ABC’s hit dance show, a development posted on Instagram by DWTS choreographer and dancer Britt Stewart.
Stewart wrote on Wednesday, “And so it begins!! Dancing with the Stars Season 32 is officially here and I can finally share my football legend of a partner with you all! Adrian Peterson I am so excited to embark on this journey with you!”
Peterson joins this list of contestants on DTWS:
Drafted in 2007 by the Minnesota Vikings, Peterson ranks fifth all-time in rushing yards, trailing the legendary Barry Sanders for fourth place by just 352 yards. He also ranks fourth in rushing touchdowns, needing just four more to pass Marcus Allen for third all-time.
And those numbers are why Peterson is a sure-fire Hall of Famer, spending his first ten seasons with the Vikings. After that, Peterson played for an extensive list of teams, including the Saints, Cardinals, Commanders, Lions, Titans, and Seahawks.
In his long career, Peterson reached the postseason four times — all with the Vikings — with the only win in a playoff game back in 2009 when the Vikings flogged the Dallas Cowboys at the Metrodome. Otherwise, Vikings teams with Peterson on the roster finished 1-4 (.200) overall in postseason contests.
One year ago, Peterson thought outside the box, too, swapping football with boxing — losing a match to former NFLer Le’Veon Bell.
Peterson was also asked by FOX 9 about a return to the Vikings in March of 2022. He replied, “I’ve seen stranger things happen. But they’re set with Dalvin Cook. He’s just a great talent. Who knows? It could possibly happen. But when it’s time for me to retire, of course, I’ll be back in a purple uniform, for sure.”
Peterson ranks second on the Vikings all-time list for touchdowns (102), trailing Cris Carter by eight scores (110).
Dancing with the Stars, including Peterson’s participation, begins on September 26th at 7 p.m. CST on ABC.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.