New Orleans, LA (Sports Network) - Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson was named the NFL's Most Valuable Player Saturday, as voted by the Associated Press.

Peterson, who also captured the top offensive player honor earlier Saturday night, posted the second-highest rushing total in NFL history this past season. He finished with 2,097 yards, just eight yards shy of Eric Dickerson's NFL record 2,105 yards in 1984.

"It's truly an honor to be recognized as the league's most valuable player," said Peterson. "While the award is considered an individual achievement, I couldn't have had the success that I did without my teammates, my coaches and the Vikings organization. I'm blessed to be a member of the Vikings, and I hope next year we can get the ultimate team award by bringing a Super Bowl championship to Minnesota."

Peterson, who recovered from tearing the anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments in his left knee near the end of the 2011 season, also had 12 rushing touchdowns and a receiving score and helped the Vikings into the playoffs.

Peterson joins QB Fran Tarkenton (1975) and DT Alan Page (1971) as the only Vikings to win the MVP. He's the first running back to win MVP since LaDainian Tomlinson (2006).

The Sports Network