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Vikings Legend Shockingly Left Off NFL All-Century Team – Fans Are Furious, and It’s Unforgivable

Posted on June 19, 2025 - 2:04 am by

Adrian Peterson isn’t one of the four best running backs of this century, according to two ESPN writers.

In a stunning and controversial decision, ESPN’s NFL all-quarter century team, curated by analytics writers Aaron Schatz and Seth Walder, has omitted Minnesota Vikings legend Adrian Peterson from its list of the top running backs of the 21st century. The exclusion of one of the most dominant and productive players in NFL history has sparked outrage among fans and analysts alike, with many calling the snub unforgivable.

The team named Priest Holmes, Christian McCaffrey, and Derrick Henry as the top three running backs, with LaDainian Tomlinson relegated to the “practice squad” as an honorable mention. This means Peterson, widely regarded as one of the greatest running backs ever, doesn’t even crack the top four. The decision is, to put it plainly, baffling and indefensible.

Why Adrian Peterson’s Exclusion Is Blasphemy

Peterson’s résumé speaks for itself. With 14,918 rushing yards since 2000, he trails only Frank Gore, who played 16 seasons. His 120 rushing touchdowns are second only to Tomlinson. Peterson earned All-Pro honors in each of his seven fully healthy seasons with the Vikings, including four first-team selections. In 2012, he delivered one of the greatest individual seasons in NFL history, rushing for 2,097 yards—just nine shy of the all-time record—while winning the league MVP award. His rare blend of power, agility, vision, and breakaway speed made him a generational talent.

The authors justified choosing Henry over Peterson and Tomlinson by citing Henry’s career 4.9 yards per carry (YPC) average compared to Peterson’s 4.6. However, this argument falls apart under scrutiny. During his time with the Vikings, through the same age as Henry is now, Peterson’s YPC was also 4.9. His career average dipped slightly due to less efficient seasons late in his career, but penalizing him for longevity is absurd. Should a player be punished for continuing to compete at a high level?

The article also notes that the selections leaned heavily on advanced metrics like FTN’s DYAR (defense-adjusted yards above replacement), which measures a player’s value compared to a replacement-level baseline. While analytics can be a useful tool, over-relying on them to the point of excluding Peterson undermines the entire exercise. Football isn’t played on spreadsheets. Box score stats, game tape, and real-world impact matter, and Peterson excels in all of those areas. His highlight reel alone—bursting through tackles, outrunning defenders, and powering through contact—should be enough to cement his place.

The Case for Peterson and Tomlinson as the Top Two

Peterson and Tomlinson are, without question, the two most productive and impactful running backs of the century. Both combined peak performance with remarkable longevity, a rare feat at a position known for its physical toll. Any credible voting panel for an all-century team would undoubtedly include them. The debate should start at the third spot, where players like Henry, McCaffrey, Holmes, Shaun Alexander, or LeSean McCoy could make a case.

Holmes, inexplicably named the No. 1 running back by ESPN, had a phenomenal three-year peak from 2001-03 but lacks the longevity to surpass Peterson. His career YPC, ironically, is 4.6—the same as Peterson’s overall average. Peterson has over 8,000 more yards from scrimmage than Holmes since 2000. McCaffrey, while a dynamic talent, has been hampered by injuries and trails Peterson by over 6,000 yards from scrimmage. The gap in production is staggering, making their inclusion over Peterson indefensible.

Fans and the Football World React

Vikings fans, and football fans in general, have taken to social media to express their disbelief and frustration. Peterson’s omission feels like a personal slight to a player who defined an era and carried the Vikings’ offense for over a decade. The snub also raises questions about the validity of the list itself. If a player of Peterson’s caliber can be left off, what does that say about the methodology?

Fortunately, the list wasn’t a complete miss for Vikings fans. Wide receivers Randy Moss and Justin Jefferson, guard Steve Hutchinson, defensive end Jared Allen, and cornerback Patrick Peterson earned well-deserved spots. But the absence of Adrian Peterson overshadows those inclusions. It’s a glaring error that undermines the credibility of the entire project.

Conclusion: An Unforgivable Oversight

Opinions are subjective, and no list will please everyone. But excluding Adrian Peterson from the top four running backs of the 21st century isn’t just a difference of opinion—it’s a fundamental misjudgment. His stats, accolades, and game-changing presence on the field make him an undeniable choice. To leave him off in favor of players with less production or shorter peaks is a disservice to his legacy and to the game of football.

Vikings fans, and anyone who appreciates greatness, have every right to be furious. Adrian Peterson isn’t just one of the best running backs of this century—he’s one of the best ever. ESPN’s snub is unforgivable, and it’s a reminder that sometimes, the eye test and the numbers tell a clearer story than any advanced metric ever could.