(Eden Prairie, MN) -- Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson was named the Associated Press 2012 Most Valuable Player during Saturday's 2nd Annual NFL Honors Awards Show, held in New Orleans. The award is voted on by 50 national media members, and it's the first time a Vikings player has won it in over 35 years. Peterson joins Fran Tarkenton (1975) and Alan Page (1971) as the only Vikings to win the award. Peterson says it's an honor to be recognized and that he couldn't have had the success he did without his teammates and coaches. After rupturing his ACL and MCL in December 2011, Peterson bounced back in 2012 to post the second-highest rushing total in NFL history, finishing with 2,097 yards and 12 rushing touchdowns.