Adrian Peterson has been considered one of the most impressive physical specimens in sports for quite a while now. This belief was reaffirmed when he returned from a torn ACL and MCL injury roughly eight months later to put in an MVP season in 2012.
Since then, he's been the standard for ACL recovery, and I'm sure Derrick Rose and Robert Griffin III are still thanking him for it (or not).
Lately, with all of the discussion on HGH with the Biogensis suspensions in baseball and HGH field testing in the NFL, there's been speculation on Peterson possibly using something extra to get back so quickly.
The Vikings running back sees the slight as recognition that he's on the right track.
Peterson addresses the chatter, via ESPN:
"Seriously. Especially with the amount of work I put in," the NFL's reigning MVP said. "Guys say that to me, or if I hear someone saying that — it makes me feel good.
"When you know you don't do it, and someone's saying you do, you're like, 'Wow. They think I'm on HGH? I'm doing that good? Well, hoo! Thank you, Jesus!' It's a compliment. I don't get mad about it at all."
While dismissing the idea that he's using performance-enhancing drugs, Peterson was rather candid on the reality of drug use in sports and what often motivates it.
"People are trying to get the edge," said Peterson, who has stated that he has a goal of rushing for 2,500 yards in a season.
"The reality of it is, people are trying to provide for their families. People are trying to keep their spot on the rosters. If it's something they can use that's not going to show up, they're going to use it."
