Here's an interesting article on Peterson. It wasn't an NCAA infraction according to OU, but something seems strange about it to me. Read for yourself.
link:
http://www.shns.com/shns/g_index2.cfm?acti...ARLSON-04-20-06
By JENNI CARLSON
The Oklahoman
20-APR-06
Adrian Peterson broke no laws and violated no rules.
He went to a dealership, picked out a car and filled out the paperwork. After driving the car for a couple weeks, Oklahoma's stud running back returned it because, as his mother said, the family couldn't afford the payments.
An internal investigation at OU determined it wasn't an NCAA infraction.
So, why does this whole thing give me a queasy feeling?
Not because of the football program. Not because of the athletic department either, though it goes before the NCAA's infractions committee later this week and faces charges of lacking institutional control after the men's basketball program made excessive calls to recruits. It's not even that the dealership that let Peterson drive free was all about getting people into cars, then hammering out the financing. The practice isn't common, but it isn't unheard of either.
No, the heebie jeebies are because of Peterson. The kid is so darn close to realizing every dream he's ever had. Heisman Trophy. National championship. No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft. Fortune could be his. So could fame.
Peterson is on the verge of having it all.
But he has none of it yet.
Yo, Adrian. Don't be a knucklehead. Dream Street is right around the corner, but there's still time to detour. It can happen to anyone, even the best of players.
Peterson might have done nothing wrong, but forcing an internal investigation is never a good thing.
A trip down Maurice Clarett Way proves as much. First came the charges that the former Ohio State standout falsified a police report. Then improper academic help to stay eligible, then thousands of dollars in improper benefits, then two charges of aggravated robbery.
Peterson's indiscretions are minor compared to that. He missed enough class last fall that he had to sit out a practice, then had this car deal.
Not exactly Clarett-like.
Thing is, Peterson needs to be careful. There is no such thing as a can't-miss player. There is shouldn't-miss. There are no guarantees beyond that.
But if Peterson just plays it straight for the next nine months, he won't miss.
This is it for him, after all. His Oklahoma days are over once the 2006-07 campaign is. It'll be the worst kept secret of next season.
Healthy knees are a precious commodity in football, particularly for running backs. And if last season's ankle injury did anything, it showed Peterson how fleeting health can be.
Peterson can make a mint if he can just avoid pitfalls.
No doubt Peterson is still a youngster. Even though he recently turned 21, plenty of us can attest we made our silliest decisions when we were that age.
Thing is, few of us were known by the masses and stood to make millions upon college graduation. The expectations on Peterson are higher. They just are. It might not seem fair. But it's part of the deal when you're a big-time college football player.
Lest you think these expectations impossible for Peterson to bear, roll this one around in your head _ Peterson is a month and a half older than Chris Paul.
The Hornets rookie handled it in the NBA. So can Peterson.
He must realize he is operating under different rules. There is right, there is wrong, and there is the appearance of wrong. Situations like this car deal might turn out to be legit, but they look sketchy. They bring investigators running, and that's never a good thing.
Frankly, it's not like Peterson has to be eligible for sainthood once his college career is done. He just needs to remember how close his dreams are and how quickly they can take a hit.
You don't have to do something wrong to make a mistake.
anyway.At least I had his name right.
