Sports

Coach Says Peterson Can Play for Vikings or Not Play at All

Published

11 years ago

May 28, 2015

In this Aug. 8, 2014, file photo, Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson leaves the field after an NFL preseason football game against the Oakland Raiders in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone, File)

JON KRAWCZYNSKI, AP Sports Writer

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (AP) — Adrian Peterson spent the last five months sending vague and sometimes ambiguous messages about his desire or lack thereof to remain with the Minnesota Vikings.

Peterson and Vikings coach Mike Zimmer finally cut to the chase Wednesday.

“He’s really got two choices. He can either play for us or he cannot play,” Zimmer said on the second day of optional practices that Peterson skipped. “He’s not going to play for anybody else and that’s just the way it’s going to be.”

Hours after Zimmer laid down that edict, Peterson tweeted a statement of his own that he gave to ESPN.

“The reason I’m not attending OTAs has nothing to do with wanting to be traded,” he said. “It’s about securing my future with the Vikings. It’s business, not personal and I understand that firsthand. Go Vikings.”

Peterson has skipped the optional portion of the Vikings’ offseason workouts many times in his career, but the circumstances surrounding his absence this time around are far different.

Peterson’s agents made it clear earlier in the offseason that their client would prefer to be traded because he didn’t feel like he got the necessary support from some members of the organization while he dealt with a child abuse charge in Texas last year. Peterson missed all but one game and ultimately pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor for striking his young son with a wooden switch.

The Vikings maintained all along that they had no plans to trade Peterson, and now that it has been determined the organization wasn’t playing poker with its star player, the 30-year-old Peterson is looking for more guaranteed money as his career enters the twilight.

Peterson was reinstated last month and has three years and $46 million left on his contract. But none of that money is guaranteed. If he is on the roster for Week 1 this season, his $12.75 million salary will become guaranteed. Skipping the offseason workouts will cost Peterson a $250,000 bonus, but he is clearly more concerned with the two years and $23 million on the back end of his deal.

Exactly how much more guaranteed money Peterson is looking for remains unclear as does the Vikings’ appetite for renegotiating the deal.

Peterson is not required to show up until a mandatory minicamp on June 16. The team could fine him if he misses that camp or any portion of the upcoming training camp.

“I don’t know when he’s coming and we’ll just leave it at that,” Zimmer said.

Peterson did attend the optional practices last summer in an effort to get to know Zimmer and an almost entirely new coaching staff that took over after Leslie Frazier was fired.

Normally, missing a couple of practices without pads in May wouldn’t be cause for scrutiny. But Peterson is coming off of a season in which he missed the last 15 games and he has never taken a snap in a game with quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, who is entering his second season.

The Vikings also are shuffling their offensive line, moving right guard Brandon Fusco to left guard and likely installing rookie T.J. Clemmings as the starter at right guard and have added veteran receiver Mike Wallace to the mix to give the unit a different look.

“I don’t know what it’s like to be on the field at the same time as Adrian because I wasn’t the starter (in the opener last year),” Bridgewater said. “I wasn’t in the starting role then. I can’t even speak on what it’s like to play with him. But I know that the guys around here have nothing but great things to say about him.”

Zimmer said he has spoken to Peterson since he and GM Rick Spielman flew to Houston to visit the running back at his home in March, but has not spoken to him recently.

“He’s missed a lot of OTAs over the course of his career. I’m not worried about it,” Zimmer said. “I have 89 guys out here that I’m coaching and trying to get better. It is what it is.”

___

Online:

AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Up Next

12 Schemes Outlined by Prosecutors in Soccer Indictment

Don't Miss

Coach Says Peterson Can Play for Vikings or Not Play at All

Oakland Post

Click to comment

Alameda County

Seth Curry Makes Impressive Debut with the Golden State Warriors

Seth looked comfortable in his new uniform, seamlessly fitting into the Warriors’ offensive and defensive system. He finished the night with an impressive 14 points, becoming one of the team’s top scorers for the game. Seth’s points came in a variety of ways – floaters, spot-up three-pointers, mid-range jumpers, and a handful of aggressive drives that kept the Oklahoma City Thunder defense on its heels.

Published

4 months ago

December 4, 2025

Oakland Post

Seth Curry is a point guard on the GSW team.Photo courtesy of the Golden State Warriors.

By Y’Anad Burrell

Tuesday night was anything but ordinary for fans in San Francisco as Seth Curry made his highly anticipated debut as a new member of the Golden State Warriors. Seth didn’t disappoint, delivering a performance that not only showcased his scoring ability but also demonstrated his added value to the team.

At 35, the 12-year NBA veteran on Monday signed a contract to play with the Warriors for the rest of the season.

One of the most memorable moments of the evening came before Seth even scored his first points. As he checked into the game, the Chase Center erupted into applause, with fans rising to their feet to give the newest Warrior a standing ovation.

The crowd’s reaction was a testament not only to Seth’s reputation as a sharpshooter but also to the excitement he brings to the Warriors. It was clear that fans quickly embraced Seth as one of their own, eager to see what he could bring to the team’s championship aspirations.

Warriors’ superstar Steph Curry – Seth’s brother – did not play due to an injury. One could only imagine what it would be like if the Curry brothers were on the court together. Magic in the making.

Seth’s debut proved to be a turning point for the Warriors. Not only did he contribute on the scoreboard, but he also brought a sense of confidence and composure to the floor.

While their loss last night, OKC 124 – GSW 112, Seth’s impact was a game-changer and there’s more yet to come. Beyond statistics, it was clear that Seth’s presence elevated the team’s performance, giving the Warriors a new force as they look to make a deep playoff run.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Barbara Lee

WNBA’s Golden State Valkyries Kick Off Season with Community Programs in Oakland

“The Golden State Valkyries are more than a team—they’re a movement,” said Oakland Interim-Mayor Kevin Jenkins. “Their touchdown in Oakland marks a new era of opportunity, inspiration, and equity in sports. This partnership reflects our city’s deep commitment to uplifting women, investing in youth, and building a community where every dream has a place to grow. We’re proud to welcome the Valkyries to The Town.”

Published

11 months ago

May 18, 2025

Oakland Post

The Valkyries came to Oakland City Hall with a “Hoopbus.” Present were (from left to right): City Councilmembers Noel Gallo, Rebecca Kaplan, Zac Unger and Rowena Brown; Oakland Mayor-elect Barbara Lee, Valkyries President Jess Smith, a Valkyries team representative and Deputy Mayor LaNiece Jones. Photo courtesy Rebecca Kaplan’s office.

Team installs new nets at playgrounds, holds flag-raisings at City Halls in Oakland and S.F.

Special to The Post

The Golden State Valkyries brought the excitement of their inaugural season to every corner of the Bay Area with a full slate of community celebrations leading up to their historic home-opener against the Los Angeles Sparks at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Friday.

The week featured flag-raising ceremonies at city halls in Oakland and San Francisco, three “Violet Net” installation days at Oakland parks to encourage basketball play, fun “Hoopbus” takeovers at multiple schools presented by Kaiser Permanente, and player appearances.

In total, 90 violet nets were installed on 45 basketball courts across 34 public parks throughout Oakland this week. A list of the parks receiving violet nets can be found at Valkyries.com.

About the Golden State Valkyries

The Golden State Valkyries, the WNBA affiliate of the seven-time NBA Champion Golden State Warriors, were announced as the 13th WNBA franchise on Oct. 5, 2023. According to Norse mythology, Valkyries are a host of warrior women who are fearless and unwavering – flying through air and sea alike.

This brand is Golden State’s modern interpretation of Valkyries: strong, bold, and fierce. Tipping off during the 2025 WNBA season, the team is headquartered in Oakland and will play home games at Chase Center in San Francisco. For Golden State Valkyries’ assets, including team logos, visit valkyries.com.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Activism

McClymonds High Names School Gym for Star Graduate, Basketball Legend Bill Russell

William “Bill” Felton Russell was born on Feb. 12, 1934, and died on July 31, 2022. He achieved fame as a U.S. professional basketball player who played center for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1956 to 1969. He was the centerpiece of the Celtics dynasty that won 11 NBA championships during his 13-year career.

Published

1 year ago

February 18, 2025

Oakland Post

Bill Russell and Brian McGhee in McClymonds High School Gym, 2011. Photo courtesy of Brian McGhee.

By Ken Epstein

West Oakland’s McClymonds High School, “the School of Champions,” this week named the school’s gymnasium in honor of one of its most famous graduates, basketball legend Bill Russell (class of ’52).

Russell is widely known as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. In 2011, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the country’s highest civil honor, from President Barack Obama for Russell’s contributions to basketball and the Civil Rights Movement.

The McClymonds’ naming ceremony was held on Wednesday, the same day as Russell’s birthday. Oakland leader Bill Patterson, a longtime friend of Russell’s, was scheduled to cut the ribbon at the reopening of the gym, which had been closed for several months for renovation. Russell’s daughter Karen was scheduled to attend the ribbon cutting.

Russell’s name and signature are now printed on the gymnasium floor.

Patterson was working at DeFremery Park when he met Russell. “I befriended him as a boy and during his years at University of San Francisco” said Patterson. “We stayed friends for the rest of his life.”

Said McClymonds Principal Darielle Davis, herself a McClymonds graduate, “We are excited to honor Bill Russell for his sports accolades and because he broke color barriers. He is part of our legacy, and legacy is really important at McClymonds.”

Brian McGhee, community schools manager at McClymonds and former football player at UC Berkeley, said that Russell meant a lot to him and others at the school. “He was a beacon of light and hope for West Oakland,” he said. “He did a lot for sports and for civil rights.”

Starting in 2018, Ben “Coach” Tapscott worked with Patterson and other McClymonds grads, community members, and former coaches to encourage the Oakland Board of Education to endorse the naming of the school gym, which finally happened recently.

“We worked hard to make this happen,” said Tapscott. “He’s an important part of McClymond’s history, along with a lot of other famous graduates,” he said.