MANKATO, Minn. -- Adrian Peterson has accomplished a lot in his football career, capping it off -- for now -- with last season's NFL MVP award.
This week he added another honor he truly feels happy about by gracing the newest Wheaties cereal box.
"Oh, man, being on the box, the front cover of Wheaties, man, that's probably one of my greatest accomplishments," Peterson said at Minnesota Vikings training camp on Tuesday.
"Just growing up and seeing some of my heroes being put on the cover of Wheaties and now seeing myself as the face, it's unbelievable. It's a great feeling. The phrase is always 'Make sure you eat your Wheaties,' and that's something I grew up hearing a lot from my Mom. You just had in your mind that 'Wheaties' are going to help you get stronger to get through the day. So that's something I think about now that I'm on the front of it, kind of honored."
Peterson said he remembers seeing Walter Payton and track star Michael Johnson on Wheaties boxes and one day hoping to make his own appearance.
Really, after all he's done in his career, being on the Wheaties box is something Peterson appreciates?
"Seriously, it's one of the accomplishments that I really walk around and (am) proud of," Peterson said.
So Wheaties must be his breakfast kickstarter, his favorite cereal to start the day? Well, yes and no.
"My favorite cereal? Wheaties," Peterson said. "And Froot Loops."
Whatever he's eating, it's still working for the reigning MVP, who said Tuesday he still believes he can eventually chase down Emmitt Smith's all-time NFL rushing record. For this season, Peterson has Eric Dickerson and his single-season rushing record in sight.
Of course, Peterson's ability and recuperative powers had opponents believing he was on more than cereal. Peterson has been unable to avoid the questions of performance-enhancing drug use. He says he takes the accusations as a compliment because he knows he's clean.
He doesn't worry about the comments and knows its natural some will question him.
"Because its life," Peterson said. "It would be a miracle if everyone was like, 'I'm sure he's not taking anything.' It is the world we live in. No matter what it is, there's going to be questions from someone. So to me, it is what it is. I could care less to be honest with you. I find it entertaining."
The Vikings haven't decided if Peterson will play in Friday's second preseason game at Buffalo, or if he'll play in the preseason at all. He showed what he could do without practice games last season when he ran for 2,097 yards, just eight yards shy of Dickerson's mark.
"We are going to talk about him as well and see if this is the week we want to put him out there or if we want to wait another week," coach Leslie Frazier said. "We are actually going to talk about that in the next day or two."
By "eating his Wheaties" Peterson will be ready when the regular season hits, ready to run down more goals and accomplishments.
"I know I will get (Emmitt Smith's) record, God willing I stay healthy and keep playing," Peterson said. "My goal this year is to win a championship."
Which could, in turn, lead to another appearance on a cereal box.
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