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NFL’s Adrian Peterson ordered to turn over assets amid $12 million debt

The all-pro running back, who’s headed to the Hall of Fame, took out a $5.2 million business loan in 2016. He made almost $103 million during a 15-year football career.

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Running back Adrian Peterson during summer training camp for Washington in 2020. (John McDonnell/The Washington Post)
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A Texas court has ordered former star NFL running back Adrian Peterson to turn over personal assets to help pay off a $12 million debt.

Peterson’s debt originates from a $5.2 million business loan he took out in 2016 from a Pennsylvania lender. The loan was arranged by his then-financial adviser Jeff Wiseman, according to Peterson’s public relations firm Entertainment and Athletes Group Management. That loan has since ballooned to more than twice its original value due to interest and fees, the Associated Press reported.

Denise White, the chief executive of Peterson’s public relations firm, said in an email to The Washington Post that the loan was taken out to help finance a business co-owned by Peterson, Wiseman and another partner. But as the majority owner, Peterson was made the sole guarantor of the debt.

Peterson has repeatedly made good-faith, but unsuccessful attempts to settle with the lender, White added.

A court-appointed receiver, Robert Berleth, asked the court in July to have constables escort him to Peterson’s home in the Houston suburb of Missouri City so that Berleth could document the assets that could be sold off. The Texas court approved that request Monday, the AP reported.

Wiseman and Berleth could not immediately be reached for comment late Tuesday.

The 39-year-old Peterson made close to $103 million during his career before his final season in 2021, but earned $94 million before 2017. The four-time all-pro running back played for Washington in 2018 and 2019.

Peterson racked up 14,918 rushing yards in his 15-year NFL career, making him the fifth all-time rusher. His prime years were with the Minnesota Vikings from 2007 to 2016. During the 2012 season, he rushed for 2,097 yards, which is the second-best single season rushing yardage in league history.