ESPY Awards 2013: Adrian Peterson Named Best Comeback Athlete
By Brian Spaen
The winner of the 2013 ESPY Awards’ Best Comeback Athlete went to Adrian Peterson of the Minnesota Vikings after coming back from his ACL injury.
Peterson beat out Buster Posey of the San Francisco Giants, Mariano Rivera of the New York Yankees, and Peyton Manning of the Denver Broncos. Kevin Bacon and Maria Sharapova presented the award.
The Vikings running back came back in just eight months after suffering an ACL and MCL surgery back in December 2011. He finished the 2012 season with 2,097 rushing yards, eight less than the record in one season. He won the Associated Press’ NFL MVP and Offensive Player of the Year Awards in 2012.
Peterson rushed for over 150 yards in seven games and had a total of 12 rushing touchdowns.
In comparison to the other nominees, Buster Posey came back from a home plate collision in 2011 and led the Giants to a title in 2012, their second in three seasons. Mariano Rivera came back from a knee injury in early 2012 and made it to the 2013 All-Star Game. Peyton Manning coming back from four neck surgeries and led his new team, the Broncos, to the playoffs last season.