Sports

Peterson ‘Feels Good to be Back in the Building’

Published

11 years ago

June 3, 2015

Vikings running back Adrian Peterson speaks at a news conference in Eden Prairie, Minn., Tuesday June 2, 2015. Peterson practiced with the Vikings for the first time in nine months on Tuesday. (Glen Stubbe/Star Tribune via AP)

DAVE CAMPBELL, AP Pro Football Writer

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (AP) — Nearly eight months passed for Adrian Peterson between practices with the Minnesota Vikings.

His public image and personal brand took a huge hit. He had to miss 15 precious games in a sport with so few. He found himself thoroughly baffled by what to do next, whether he even wanted to return to the NFL, let alone Minnesota. He turned 30.

With that purple No. 28 jersey finally back on, though, he almost felt like he never left.

“It felt good to be back in the building, to be around the fellas,” Peterson said Tuesday after his first workout at Vikings headquarters since Sept. 12, a practice that took place hours before his indictment on the child abuse charge that forever changed his life, disordered Minnesota’s 2014 season and became part of the frame of an ugly fall for the NFL amid persistent domestic violence problems.

Despite his stated uneasiness with certain people in the Vikings’ organization and the backlash against him around the region following the injuries he caused while disciplining his son, the relationships Peterson built over his first eight years with the team were what drove him to drop his informal protest and arrive this week to work.

“It’s been a lot of love that I’ve felt through this process, and I was able to feel that same love today,” Peterson said.

He shared many hugs with players, coaches and staff, but after all the tension, confusion and bitterness of the last several months when his departure from Minnesota appeared inevitable there was a back-to-business vibe at Winter Park on the day of his return. Peterson didn’t even give a special address to the rest of the team, another sign of the respect he’s long had in the locker room.

“He’s got such a charismatic smile, infectious personality. It’s good to get him here,” coach Mike Zimmer said.

On the field, Peterson has some catching up to do, but he already had months of experience in offensive coordinator Norv Turner’s scheme last season before he was put on paid leave while the

“We tried to get him acclimated on the things that were going. He’s going to have to put in some more work time as far as all that,” Zimmer said, “but there’s really not a prettier sight when he’s got the ball in his hand, you know?”

The Vikings finished 7-9 in Zimmer’s first season, a decent accomplishment considering Peterson’s absence and the steep learning curve for rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, but they weren’t happy about it. Now, barring injuries, Zimmer and Turner will have the full lineup on offense they originally envisioned.

“I do believe that we can be very, very explosive,” Zimmer said. “I think to have a talented running back with a talented quarterback and talented receivers and some good tight ends, I think that we can spread the field and it can be good for everyone.”

Peterson reiterated his apology to his young son for spanking him with a wooden switch, describing the act as a mistake. He said loves his children with all of his heart and would “jump in front of a car for them.”

He said his softened stance on returning to Minnesota came through prayer, counsel from trusted pastors and good old-fashioned listening to mom and dad.

“With everything going on in my life at that time, I really didn’t know what I wanted,” Peterson said. “I really didn’t know if I wanted to play somewhere else, if I wanted to retire. I didn’t know if I wanted to get into track and do something different. That’s where receiving advice from my parents, my advisers, really played a big role.”

Peterson’s $12.75 million salary for 2015 will be guaranteed the first week of the season, but beyond that all bets are off. His agent, Ben Dogra, has pushed for a restructured contact, but the Vikings have made no assurances.

So Peterson, naturally, will be playing with plenty to prove. He’ll also, despite being an age that’s often unfriendly to running backs, be playing with a body that benefited from an unexpected late-career year of respite from the constant pounding taken from carrying the ball.

“I feel good, you know? I’m not going to say any names, but there’s young guys I work out with in Houston, younger guys, like 24, 25, first-year guys just going to play, and I outrun them and out-jump ’em and everything else,” Peterson said. “So with that being said, age is just a number. It’s all about how you view it mentally.”

___

AP Sports Writer Jon Krawczynski contributed to this report.

___

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

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Sale of Coliseum to African American Developers Moves Toward Completion

The deal includes the sale of the Oakland Arena to an unidentified third-party buyer for no less than $100 million, which Bobbitt said was one of the most important aspects of the site’s future redevelopment.

Published

2 weeks ago

June 16, 2026

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The deal includes the sale of the Oakland Arena to an unidentified third-party buyer for no less than $100 million, which Bobbitt said was one of the most important aspects of the site’s future redevelopment.

‘This is on the precipice of actually occurring,’ said Ray Bobbitt, buyers’ representative

By Post Staff

After many months of complex negotiations, the Oakland Coliseum development deal is finally nearing an agreement that will open the way for new owners – the African Americans Sports and Entertainment Group (AASEG) – to revitalize the sports complex and the Hegenberger Corridor in East Oakland.

On May 28, the Alameda County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a non-binding agreement to dispose of the County’s portion of the complex for $115 million in a deal with AASEG, with a closing date set for June 30.

“People are seeing that this is on the precipice of actually occurring,” said Ray Bobbitt, founder of the AASEG and an East Oakland native. “People feel that this needs to happen for Oakland, for East Oakland in particular,” Bobbitt said, as reported in the East Bay Times.

The agreement would transfer ownership of the 112-acre Coliseum complex property, which was owned 50-50 by Alameda County and the City of Oakland, to Oakland Acquisition Company, which is AASEG’s real estate wing.

The County’s approval marks an important step in the sale of the property, even though concerns about environmental liability remain. Under the terms of the non-binding agreement, the county will pay $115 million to Coliseum Way Partners, the corporate entity of the Oakland Athletics that had previously purchased the county’s half of the property for $85 million.

AASEG will then pay $115 million to the County in three annual payments, with 5% annual interest paid on any outstanding balance, according to the term sheet.

AASEG already negotiated a purchase of the city’s half of the property for $125 million in 2025, awaiting the sale of the county’s half.

A strong supporter of the sale, Supervisor Nate Miley said he was not “breaking out the champagne” until the sale was final. This is not perfect, but it is good.

“It’s good because the County ends up with more money,” Miley continued. “It’s good because an African American team takes ownership of the property, and they’ve got a lot of potential in terms of what they want to do with the property.”

A remaining disagreement between Alameda County and the AASEG involves environmental concerns.

AASEG wanted a “carve-out” for environmental concerns so that it would not face liability for the release of groundwater into San Francisco Bay without a permit. Obtaining a permit could be time-consuming and expensive, requiring the need for consultants, studies, and an oversight process by the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board.

County supervisors unanimously supported the non-binding agreement without the carve-out, though Bobbitt said delaying or excluding the carve-out creates timing risks for the project.

“The motion is to accept the terms as presented, excluding the carve-out,” Board of Supervisors President David Haubert said. “Noting that it’s a non-binding term sheet and terms can always be discussed going forward. It’s been pointed out that that could affect the deal, timing, which we’ve been at this for nine years, but what’s a little more time?”

“The arena represents an anchor of the site,” said Babbitt. “This arena … has become a pop culture mecca, and the opportunity to enhance that and expand that is critical to the overall process.”

Speaking at the Board of Supervisors meeting, Miley explained the County’s reasoning behind some of the complex negotiations. He asked interim County Counsel Andrea Weddle:

“In layman’s term’s who’s on the hook for the environmental (cleanup)” under the current deal with the Oakland A’s?

“When the county with a former board entered in the deal with the (A’s), we took on all of the environmental obligations,” Miley said. “Since then, we’ve learned a lot more about the environmental conditions of the Coliseum.”

“If we do a deal with Coliseum Way Partners (the A’s), we remain on the hook,” she said. “If we do a deal as we’ve currently structured with OAC (AASEG), we have eliminated some or hopefully all (or) as much as we can of that liability and aligned our deal with the terms of the city.”

Bobbitt, despite his concerns, supported the nonbinding agreement. He said the public has waited nearly a decade to come to this point.

“The community support has been overwhelming,” he said. “We’ve used a lot of P-words: patience, perseverance, persistence. And we’ve just had to do it, and we understand how complex this has been.”

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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

7 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.

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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

1 year 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.