EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — Adrian Peterson has been selected to his seventh Pro Bowl, NFL Network announced Tuesday night, but he's been thinking about different postseason games.
Fans have come to expect Peterson in the annual all-star game and helped him get there again, along with votes from other NFL players and coaches. In some previous seasons, it was the only January football that was a possibility for any Vikings player.
That's not the case this season, however, because the Vikings (9-5) have an opportunity to clinch their first postseason berth since 2012 with a win Sunday night against the New York Giants (6-8).
"It is (a great combo). It's always good and an honor to make the Pro Bowl, but you don't feel as fulfilled when you're not making it to the postseason," said Peterson, who leads the NFL with 1,314 rushing yards. "This one is a little more fulfilling with us having a shot at the playoffs," Peterson told Vikings.com.
Peterson spent his morning helping support the Starkey Hearing Foundation's annual December mission, his afternoon dressed in a Santa suit with his family handing out presents to more than 400 children and young people at Mary's Place, a transitional home in Minneapolis. Peterson and his wife, Ashley, picked out board games, toys and footballs for boys and girls, ages 6 to 18.
Media members asked Peterson before the announcement of his selection to the Pro Bowl if it topped his wish list and he replied the top thing would be "the Super Bowl, definitely."
"That's the ultimate goal, making it to the championship game and being able to sit back and watch the Pro Bowl," Peterson said.
Peterson said his seventh selection is a testament to the work he puts in and help from his teammates.
Peterson's past selections occurred for the 2007-10, 2012 and 2013 seasons. He is tied with Hall of Famer Ron Yary for third-most selections in Vikings history.
