National Football League

Buzz: Peterson embraces PED rumors

Published Aug. 13, 2013 1:00 a.m. ET

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Sam Gardner

Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson is no stranger to rumors that he’s using HGH and other performance enhancing drugs, and that’s OK with him because A) he doesn’t, and B) he takes the implication as a compliment.

In an interview with USA Today, the reigning NFL MVP said he looks forward to testing that will prove he’s clean, and that he’s flattered when people assume that his amazing recovery from ACL surgery was aided by PEDs.

"Seriously. Especially with the amount of work I put in," Peterson told the paper. "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."

We’ve seen athletes deny PED use before, so the fact that Peterson says he’s clean doesn’t necessarily exonerate him. But, there is something believable about Peterson’s presentation when he addresses the rumors — especially because he’s so forthright about the topic and conscious of the reasons why players who cheat do so in the first place.

"People are trying to get the edge," Peterson told USA Today. "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."

Fortunately for Peterson, he doesn’t need PEDs to stay at the top of his game. He finds all the boost he needs in his cereal bowl:

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