"Michigan needs to offer this kid now": Fans react to ex-NFL RB Adrian Peterson's son's high school highlight clips

Former Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson's son has caught attention online after a clip of his performance on the gridiron went viral on Instagram. Adrian Peterson Jr., a seventh grader, impressed netizens with his performance, with many leaving their reactions under the clip posted on Wednesday.

A lot of the comments made subtle and not-so-subtle references to an incident from years ago involving the elder Peterson allegedly beating his son. An Instagram user, Bigwillllx4, wrote:

“Was this the son he got in trouble for whooping?”

Another netizen on the platform, Jamelo_ballpt2, had the same question.

“This the lil one that got beat?”

“If he don’t perform like this stuff happens at home,” another fan said

Another Instagram user, Erikcummingsss, wrote:

“Proof that whooping molds greatness.”

However, some fans were more focused on the player's performance than the years-old controversy that had his dad suspended by the NFL for a season.

“Already offered him on CFB 25,” one fan wrote.

Another fan, Lilzaiah211, wrote,

"Michigan needs to offer this kid now."

Reactions to Adrian Peterson Jr.'s highlights (IG/On3hs)

Adrian Peterson was indicted in child injury case

Adrian Peterson was charged before a grand jury in Montgomery County, Texas, in 2014 with reckless or negligent injury to a child. The charge came after he had injured his then four-year-old son with a wooden implement, which he described as a “switch.” The Vikings deactivated the former running back for a game following the indictment.

He subsequently reached a plea agreement after pleading no contest to the misdemeanor charge of reckless assault on his son. Despite avoiding a jail sentence, Peterson was handed a suspension by the NFL, ending his 2014 season with the Vikings.

Years after the incident, Peterson said in a 2018 Bleacher Report story that he still uses a belt on his son. He said:

“I had to discipline my son and spank him the other day with a belt. There’s different ways I discipline my kids. I didn’t let that change me.”

Peterson was a standout in three sports at Palestine High School in Palestine, Texas, playing football, basketball and running track. He was rated a five-star recruit by Rivals and Scout, ranking as the No. 1 running back and overall prospect in the 2004 class by Rivals.

Peterson played college football at Oklahoma after considering other programs, including Texas, Texas A&M, UCLA, Arkansas and Miami.