Frazier applauds the fact that Peterson is about football, not celebrity.

"He doesn't seek the limelight like so many guys today in our profession and in professional sports in general," said Frazier. "He really is about being the best football player he can be. He has no airs about him. He doesn't self promote. He's not out seeking endorsements. If anything, it's a constant barrage coming AT Adrian. And he does fly under the radar because of it."

Asked to describe himself to a public that may not know him well, Peterson says, "I'm just a regular guy, no different from them or their friends. I like to get ice cream, go to a movie, cookout with my teammates or friends. I'm no different. I grew up kinda country in a small town. That doesn't change. How you were raised makes you who you are, not what your job is now."

The way in which Peterson was raised in Palestine, Texas will come to be known as well. It's a story laced with tragedy and perseverance. When Peterson was seven years old, his older brother, Brian, was run over by a drunk driver. Adrian, just 11 months younger than Brian, witnessed it. At 13, Peterson's father, Nelson, was sent to prison for 10 years for laundering drug money.

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And, on the eve of his 2007 workout at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Peterson received word that his half-brother, Paris, had been murdered by a gunshot.

Nothing in Peterson's outward temperament hints at the things he's lived through. He's relentlessly, overwhelmingly ... pleasant.

"Adrian is a huge star, but part of the reason you don't [think of him as one] is he is very humble, and that's a tribute to him," Allen said. "He still acts like a third-round pick [Peterson was the seventh overall pick in 2007]. There are good ways to become a star and bad ways to become a star. He has chosen the good way. There's not a lot of antics. He shows up and plays football, and I respect that kid."

The level of attention he currently gets is just fine with Peterson.

"I'm pretty lucky in Minnesota that people are respectful of space and are cool in public," he said. "I get noticed, but a lot of times they just wave and say hi. It doesn't bother me if they recognize me anyway. I know it's part of the game. I can still do everything I want to and not feel like I'm being bothered by fans.

"I think I'm lucky to be in the position I am as an athlete," he concluded. "I've wanted to be here since I was a little kid, so I enjoy it. Some day, down the road when I'm retired, people won't recognize me like they do now. I say eat the cake when it's on your plate -- it's fun right now."

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