Adrian Peterson Quotes and Video

NORMAN, Okla. -- Oklahoma running back Adrian Peterson met with the media at a press conference Wednesday afternoon to discuss his injury suffered during last Saturday's game.

OU head athletics trainer Scott Anderson was the first at the podium and his quotes along with Peterson's are below:

TRAINER SCOTT ANDERSON
On Adrian Peterson's injury:
“Adrian right away knew that he had been injured and we were able to do an assessment on the sideline. We were pretty confident, given our physical assessment at that point in time, that he did have a clavicle fracture (a broken collarbone). We were able to confirm that subsequently with the X-ray and examination following the game. That is the definitive diagnosis.

Adrian Peterson Press Conference | Scott Anderson

"We visited with Adrian and with his parents regarding that diagnosis, options that could have taken place: surgery verses non-surgery. There are no advantages to doing the surgery in terms of time of recovery or success of recovery. So that is the course that we are on at this point in time, a non-operative management of that.

"[The recovery] course is expected to take six weeks. We will, of course, have assessments during this period of time as we go through and manage and track his recovery.”

Anderson on Adrian's ability to recover:
“Adrian has always had a great capacity for recovery from the injuries that he has had. nd certainly he's a motivated and that is a great advantage with the population we deal with and Adrian is certainly evidence to that.”

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JUNIOR RB ADRIAN PETERSON
On knowing he was hurt:
“I knew right away there was something seriously wrong. The last thing I remember was getting ready to dive into the end zone and getting my left leg clipped and landing awkward on my left side. I drove and was forced on to my left side and, immediately, I knew something was wrong.

“I remember going to the outside and then cutting to the inside. It was a crazy play because I went to the outside and then to the inside and came back toward the middle. I remember making a cut and making one defender miss. Then it was just a race to the end zone where an Iowa State free safety jumped on my leg. It just tripped me up and I landed awkward.”

On the recovery time:
“It will be four to six weeks just depending on how things heal. I have to sit back and take my time to let it heal correctly.”

On being a physical player:
“It's is crazy taking the pounding that I take and then to fall like that. Unfortunately I broke my collarbone. It's crazy when I sit there and replay it back.”

On conditioning:
“The first couple days I took to rest it [collarbone] and cope with the pain. I just need to stay on top of my condition. It is like riding a bike. I'm sure [Jerry Schmidt, director of sports enhancement] will get around to helping stay in shape, but I feel like I can start doing a little something right now.”

On playing at a bowl game:
“I am praying each night for a speedy recovery. I would enjoy playing with the guys and being back out on the field. I am looking forward to playing.”

On words of advice for his teammates:
“Just go out there and run hard. Give it your all. I know what kind of attitude they have so I know they will go out there and fight and I know they will be thinking of me when they are out there running the ball. They will take care of business. One player doesn't make a team.

"With that being said, we have been through a lot and have overcome adversity. The guys are going to stay focused and they have a positive attitude about it and are moving on. I expect the guys to go out there and get it done. They are great athletes with different styles of running. I expect them to make big plays and continue to play OU football.”

On talking to his dad after his injury:
“It was crazy. When I first spoke to him I told him it was suppose to be a happy day and then I broke my collarbone. He told me, Everything happens for a reason.' So you have to take it for what it is and stay focused and keep praying to God. I have been staying positive and I am trying to move forward.”

On being 151 yards away from the all-time record for yards:
“It is something pretty cool. Actually I didn't really know about it until after the game from watching the channels. It is not something that I feel just focused on. It is something that I go out there and play to the best of my ability. I give myself credit each week and things just happen.

"It is not something I am just focused on, if anything it would be to go out there and play the game that I love and have fun and on top of that play with my teammates and that is what I am really looking forward to doing.”

On continuing involvement with the team:
“I already talked to my coaches and I plan on still going to meeting and keeping up on everything, staying on top of my game. The guys like to see me out there after practice. The past two days I haven't gone to practice because of the pain, but I look forward to going out there today.”

On missing the games:
“It will be hard. But that is part of it. You have to deal with it. You can't let it get you down.”

On sleeping with a broken collarbone:
“I have to do it sitting up. It is very difficult and painful but I am working on it. I sit against the wall on my bed. I have a recliner but it's not that comfortable. I just try to get my lower body comfortable.”

On what was going through his mind after the game:
“A lot of different stuff was running through my head. They say everything happens for a reason and you really can't question it. You really can't question what God does. It was hard dealing with it. My dad would tell me all the time, A life can be cut off just like that.'

"So I had to think back to some of the things that I have been saying and have to realize that life switches off just like that. What are you going to do about it? Hold your head down or help your team out and keep your head up and move forward? It was just a lot of different things to think about.”

On having his father at the game:
“It was a very exciting time for me. I was excited and ready to go out there and play. I found myself wanting to find somebody in the stands. It was emotional but at the same time you have to get it done, you have to take care of business. It was a happy time but I had to stay focused on what was in front of me.”

On his mom getting hurt on Saturday:
“It was crazy. I told my mom this is a day we won't forget. She ended up breaking her ankle while playing basketball. It was a crazy weekend.”

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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