Free agent running back Adrian Peterson is still pounding as he prepares to head into his late-30s and has no plans to hang up the cleats anytime soon.
In fact, Peterson has a particular record in mind.
The former MVP revealed he would like to play into his 40s, mostly because he is chasing Dallas Cowboys legend and Hall of Fame running back Emmitt Smith's all-time rushing record. Peterson also said the pursuit of a championship drives him forward:
“I want to live to be a 40-year-old back out there rushing for 1,500 yards and amazing people still,” the Lions RB said, via TMZ.
“I'm going to keep playing, trying to chase the championship,” Peterson said, “and, God's willing, within the process of doing that, I'm able to catch Emmitt and pass him.”
Adrian Peterson has some work to do in order to catch Smith.
The four-time All-Pro currently ranks fifth on the all-time rushing list after churning out 604 yards on the ground with the Detroit Lions this past season. Peterson has amassed 14,820 rushing yards in his career, more than 3,000 yards short of Smith's 18,355 total.
Peterson might have passed Smith already in an alternate world. He was suspended in 2014 due to a child abuse incident regarding disciplinary measures used against his son, who was then four years old. He then missed nearly all of 2016 due to a meniscus injury.
However, the former Oklahoma star is continued to hang on for as long as he possibly can, perhaps being the Tom Brady of the running back position. Perhaps Adrian Peterson–a free agent this spring–will even look to team up with Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
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