Peterson angered by doubts from HOFers Sharpe, Carter: 'How dare you'

Adrian Peterson didn't take kindly to doubts from Hall of Famers Shannon Sharpe and Cris Carter over his ability to produce for the Washington Redskins.

Sharpe and Carter, both co-hosts of debate shows on FS1, have opined that Peterson's days of being an effective workhorse are over as the 33-year-old enters his 12th NFL season.

"Watching some of the things they said about me, man, it really hurt me to the core," Peterson told USA TODAY Sports' Jarrett Bell. "Not only are they black men, but these are people I looked up to. And these are people that made mistakes, especially Cris Carter. So some of the things that came out of his mouth, not only personally, but about me as a player - aw, he's washed up and this, that, and the other, and he should just retire - how dare you.

"Then Shannon Sharpe, the same thing. He said some things and I'm just like, 'Wow, I can't believe that would come out of your mouth.' I understand that people are entitled to their opinions. That's the way of the world. But they are in a position where millions of people are watching them."

Sharpe and Carter are far from the only ones to suggest Peterson's gas tank is running low on fuel. Interest in the former MVP as a free agent was scant throughout the summer.

In 10 games split between the New Orleans Saints and Arizona Cardinals last year, Peterson tallied 529 yards and two touchdowns while averaging 3.4 yards per carry.

"What I'm going to do when I ball out this year, I'm going to have all my fans " look up all the people who (said) something negative about me and put them on blast and prove that when they are on TV, they don't know what they're talking about," Peterson said.

Related - Peterson: Critics who think I'm too old 'don't know football'

A seven-time Pro Bowler, Peterson sits 12th among the NFL's all-time rushing leaders. With 464 more yards, he'll move up to ninth on the list, surpassing Marshall Faulk, Jim Brown, and Tony Dorsett along the way.

In response to Peterson's anger, Sharpe said he doesn't take the brush-back personally, explaining that he was in AP's position at the end of his career.

Carter offered a more spirited reply: "Did you see me in a Dolphins uniform? I had no business playing that season. I wouldn't have admitted it, either. These guys get so sensitive about everything. Adrian had better get over himself. We were all great. But at the end, we all smelled like a baby's diaper."

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