The Sports Xchange

Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson felt the love when he was honored in his hometown of Palestine, Texas, on Saturday.

The ninth annual “Adrian Peterson Day” event came less than two weeks after Peterson returned to the Vikings.

Peterson missed all but the season opener last season after being indicted on child abuse charges in Texas. He bounced between the commissioner’s exempt list and the suspended list as his case played out legally and in the widely divided court of public opinion.

Peterson returned to the Vikings on June 2 for the second week of organized team activities.

On Saturday, Peterson was touched by the support that included a “Welcome Home! We Got Your Back!” banner.

“I guess it’s maybe a little different,” Peterson said Saturday. “Definitely get some more encouraging words — seeing the support. People, we’re out here still supporting, who never stop supporting you. Yeah, it’s a little different.”

Peterson walked past the sign with his wife and father to a gazebo decorated with Vikings purple in the center of Reagan Park to address the crowd.

“You know, home, man,” said Peterson, who was among family, friends and townspeople who watched his outstanding high school career in east central Texas. “So many people here, before the fame, that supported me. I remember being at Palestine High School, seeing both sides, home and visitor sides, packed. The people in Palestine supporting me throughout my career. It says a lot.

“The people here, they understand where I come from. They get it. They know me as a person. They know my personality. They know what kind of heart I have because they’ve been around me my entire life. These are people that actually know me. It feels good to be supported.”

Peterson’s visit to his hometown came during a break between the Vikings’ OTAs and the three-day minicamp starting Tuesday.