Jim Brown: Vikings’ Adrian Peterson could break NFL career rushing record
By Mike Dyce
As the NFL begins to devalue running backs around the league, there is at least one running back out there who is still a true featured back: Minnesota Vikings’ Adrian Peterson. Because of the shift in NFL offenses and the devaluing of running backs around the league, some view Emmitt Smith’s career rushing record mark as unreachable, but former NFL running back Jim Brown thinks Peterson could break it if he wanted to.
“If he wants that and he dedicates himself and he has good fortune, that’s a great possibility,” Brown told the Pioneer Press. “I think if he sets his goals and he understands his circumstances and he knows what it takes, that he can be successful. I’m not saying that he will break the record, I’m just saying it’s a possibility.”
Smith finished with 18,355 yards in his career over 15 seasons. Through seven seasons, Peterson has 10,115 yards way ahead of the pace of Smith’s career. At the same point in Smith’s career he had 10,160 yards rushing so he is on pace. Peterson is also a year older than Smith at this point in their careers.