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New Vikings RB Latavius Murray shows Adrian Peterson ultimate sign of respect

Caption: Jan 29, 2016; Kahuku, HI, USA; Oakland Raiders running back Latavius Murray (left) and Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) during 2016 Pro Bowl photo day at Turtle Bay Resort. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Latavius Murray may have taken Adrian Peterson’s job with the Minnesota Vikings. The Pro Bowl running back signed on with the Minnesota Vikings early Thursday morning, effectively ending Peterson’s career with the team.

In no way does this mean Murray doesn’t have respect for the future Hall of Fame running back. In one of his first public comments after signing the Vikings, Murray took time for a rather awesome post on social media.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BRtBDp0jdwH/

Here, you see Murray and Peterson, both wearing No. 28, embracing one another during Pro Bowl week back in 2016.

“There wasn’t a thought in my mind to try and wear or ask for the #28. I have too much respect for AP and so much respect for what he’s done and what he means to this organization,” Murray wrote.

That’s a sign of respect we rarely see from one NFL player to another. Despite his generation’s me-first mentality, Murray himself surely goes away from the grain here.

Peterson is arguably the greatest player to ever put on a Vikings uniform. He brought the organization back to relevance around the NFL. And despite a drama-filled final few seasons with the team, Peterson is owed a huge debt of gratitude from the Vikings and their fans.

As it relates to why Murray wore 28 in the first place, it wasn’t primarily about Peterson. But he’s surely not holding back in indicating why he’s going to switch jersey numbers.

“Many people don’t know, but I wore the #28 as a kid because of Fred Taylor who played for the Jaguars at the time,” Murray said. “When AP came onto the scene and Fred retired, he was my reason for keeping #28. I want to say to Vikings fans, I’m not here to replace #28, he’s irreplaceable. I’m not here to be #28, there’s no one like him.”

Murray, 27, put up 2,350 total yards and 18 touchdowns in his final two seasons with the Raiders. He will likely be the Vikings’ primary ball carrier in 2017. On the other hand, Peterson has been met with a cold market after missing all but three games to injury last season.

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