Adrian Peterson has said he’s the LeBron James of the NFL, but the Minnesota Vikings running back altered that comparison because of an injury to Jamaal Charles.
ESPN’s Adam Teicher suggested Peterson called himself Michael Jordan instead, “perhaps in deference” to Charles, the Kansas City Chiefs All-Pro runner who once made the same comparison but tore the ACL in his right knee last Sunday.
“I’ll say I’m the Michael Jordan. There’s always the debate, would LeBron be better than Michael? So I’ll say I’m the Michael Jordan of football.”
Peterson and Charles were set to alternate turns on the field this Sunday when the Vikings host the Chiefs. It would’ve been the first meeting between the stud runners.
The ACL tear ended Charles’ 2015 campaign—just like it did in 2011. Charles tore the ACL in his left knee during the second game of that season. Since Minnesota and Kansas City are in opposite conference, the teams only play on a four-year rotating basis unless they meet in the Super Bowl.
Peterson, who has also recovered from an ACL injury of his own, said he hopes to work out with Charles during the offseason. Both players are from Texas.
But the show must go on, even if the LeBron James of football isn’t on the field. At least “Michael Jordan” will be there.