Most players would be offended when their peers accuse them of taking performance enhancing drugs, but Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson is not like most players.
Peterson, the NFL's reigning MVP, told USA Today in a recent interview that he doesn't take PEDs, but finds the fact that there are rumors of him using HGH and other PEDs to be a compliment.
"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," Peterson told USA Today.
Peterson, 28, attributes his success on the gridiron to the work he puts in both on and off the field, and doesn't get offended when other players accuse him of cheating.
"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," he said according to USA Today.
Murmurs of Peterson possibly using banned substances first circulated when the five-time Pro Bowler only missed one regular season NFL game after suffering a torn ACL and MCL in December of 2011. Not only did he return, but he came back in full force, nearly breaking the single-season rushing record, held by Eric Dickerson who rushed for 2,105 yards in 1984.
His quick comeback and dominant season led to whispers about his possible connection to PEDs.
In a season where he was returning from a major injury, Peterson almost broke the mark, rushing for a career-high 2,097 yards which was good enough for second on the all-time single-season rushing list. Peterson had 348 attempts at running the ball and scored 12 touchdowns last season. That achievement would be god enough for most, but Peterson has vowed to rush for 2,500 yards this season.
It isn't just about individual goals for Peterson as he and the Vikings are looking to build on a strong season last year that saw the team go 10-6-0 to earn second place in the NFC North before dropping its wildcard playoff match-up against the Green Bay Packers.
Despite his insistence that he's clean, Peterson has stated that he understands why people use banned subtances, the desire to have an edge.
"The reality of it is, people are trying to provide for their families," Peterson said according to ESPN. "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."
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