ARLINGTON, TX, - Donruss Playoff, a leading manufacturer of sports trading cards and the second longest running card company in the industry, recently announced the signing of Minnesota Vikings rookie running back Adrian Peterson, the seventh overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, to an endorsement deal that will place Peterson images on Donruss Playoff packaging throughout the year and his autographs into all their products. He joins a star-studded list of Donruss/Playoff spokesmen including Vince Young and Joe Namath.
"Adrian Peterson had an outstanding career at Oklahoma and should be one of the most exciting rookies this season," said Donruss Playoff Marketing Director Scott Prusha. "He is an electrifying performer that will shine on the NFL stage. We are excited to have him aboard and look forward to working with him throughout the year."
Peterson joined Donruss Playoff and 34 other rookies recently at the NFL Rookie Premier in LA. Materials worn by Peterson at the photo shoot will be incorporated into trading cards during the year, the first of which will be found in Playoff Absolute releasing to collectors in August. The first photographs used of AD ("All-Day") will appear for the first time in the industry this week when Donruss Classics releases to hobby shops.
Peterson was the first running back taken in the 2007 NFL draft following his impressive three year career at Oklahoma where he became the first player in school history to eclipse 3,000 rushing yards in two seasons. In his first year with the Sooners, Peterson broke numerous NCAA freshman rushing records as his 1,925 total rushing yards and nation leading 339 carries earned him a runner-up finish in the Heisman Trophy race, the highest finish ever by a freshman. Peterson currently ranks second in school history with 747 rushing attempts, third with 4,045 rushing yards, and fourth with 41 rushing touchdowns in only three years at Oklahoma.