For the first time in NFL history, an Oklahoma Sooners alumni won the NFL MVP award. According to soonersports.com on Feb. 2, Adrian Peterson edged Peyton Manning for the NFL MVP award.
Peterson tore his ACL in 2011 and returned less than one year later to help lead the Minnesota Vikings to the NFL playoffs. Along the way, Peterson led the NFL in rushing, breaking the 2,000-yard rushing mark in the process. Peterson finished the regular season with 2,097 rushing yards, only eight yards short of the NFL record held by Eric Dickerson.
Since his entry into the NFL, Peterson ran for more rushing yards (8.849), touchdowns (80) and rushing touchdowns (76) than any other NFL player. He also has higher rushing yards per game, rushes for 10-yards or more, and yards from scrimmage than any other player as well.
The talk at the end of the season centered around who deserved the NFL comeback player of the year award between Peterson and Manning. The Indianapolis Colts waived Peyton Manning and it looked like his career was finished, but the Denver Broncos signed him and he finished with one of the best seasons of his career.
Manning finished the year with 4,659 passing yards, 37 touchdowns and only 11 interceptions. His quarterback rating was 105.8 as he led Denver to the playoffs. Manning won that battle, as he won the comeback player of the year.
That was a nice consolation prize, with Adrian Peterson winning the first MVP for a running back since LaDainian Tomlinson in 2006.
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