What Adrian Peterson of the Minnesota Vikings did this year was amazing. Phenomenal.  Staggering. But he does not deserve comeback player of the year.  Not even in the discussion.  There is only one person who could possibly hold that distinction.  Peyton Manning. Now before anyone accuses me of being a shill for Manning, just hold on.  I am as tired of that guy as you are but he missed a FULL SEASON with his neck injury.  What did Peterson miss?  One game.  One stinking game.  He missed the Viking finale last year against the Bears with what was a severe knee injury.  The fact that he could play 16 games this season is one of the greatest feats I have witnessed in sports.  But what did he miss?  In my mind to be a Comeback Player you had to comeback from something.  He missed one game.  Manning had to endure a few neck surgeries.  He risked a great deal playing this year.  I know there are inherent risks every time a player is on the field when a ball is snapped.  Manning risked paralysis or maybe something even greater. Every play.  Peterson also risked his health. I get that…but Manning risked more with his injury. The fact that Peterson’s knee held up to a full season cannot be overlooked.  We heard seemingly daily about Manning and his health, his rehab, his suitors for his talents.  What did we hear about Peterson?  Nothing.  There were no national follow-ups on his health.  “Will he ever play again” questions.  Nope.  You forgot all about him. The year started and people said, “Oh yeah, he hurt his leg or something last year, right?”  Manning was shoved down our throats.  And what he did this year was also amazing.  He was fabulous all season.  He came back.  I am not diminishing at all what AP had to endure in his rehab.  It must have been grueling, arduous and other big words that I really don’t know what they mean.  It must have seemed impossible.  But we didn’t see it. Hear about it.  He missed a game.  Lots of players miss one game.  But to miss a Season and play at that level is amazing.  Manning deserves Comeback Player of the year.

Adrian Peterson will just have to settle for being MVP…