Curtis Martin on Adrian Peterson: “He Can Break Emmitt's Record”

Vikings running back Adrian Peterson declared this offseason that he views breaking Emmitt Smith’s All-Time Rushing Record of 18,355 career yards as a goal, and an attainable one.

That was a widely debated statement of course, and while a lot of people dismissed it, others believe Peterson is right--and this latter group includes Hall of Fame running back Curtis Martin.

“He can break Emmitt’s record,” Martin said, per the St. Paul Pioneer Press. “He can. If anybody can do it, it’s him. Ability-wise, he’s the most gifted back I’ve ever seen.”

At 30, Peterson is still 8,265 yards behind Smith, but Martin sees the native Texan playing at a high level for several more seasons.

“I think he’ll do well (into his 30s),” Martin said. “I think he’ll do better than I did (after turning 30). Just because he has more talent and he’s much more gifted, with more ability than I had. And he had a year off.”