FCA.org - Perched on the threshold of breaking every college rushing record in the book, Georgia Southern University's Adrian Peterson finally has stopped asking his father, "Why me?"

His fight against a severe stuttering problem has been a lot tougher than bulling his way through eight or nine guys stacked at the line, trying to stop him and the record-setting Eagles option attack.

"When I was growing up I used to run to my dad saying, ‘Why me? Why can't I talk like everyone else?' But now I know that I wouldn't be half the player I am today without having that challenge to overcome.

"God didn't make anybody perfect, but just like on the football field, I'm not the biggest or the fastest, but I'm gonna work until I'm one of the best."

A.P., as he is known around Statesboro, Ga., grew up in Alachua, Fla., in a football family. His brother, Michael, was a star linebacker at the University of Florida and led the Indianapolis Colts in tackles last season. Adrian was a star in high school, and he hoped to rise to his brother's level, but big-school recruiters shied away from him because he barely stood 5-foot-10 and struggled to communicate. Most thought he could never handle the college classroom.

"My parents always told me that God had a plan for my life and that I just had to be man enough to look for it," Adrian says. "I guess God wanted me at Georgia Southern."

That's where speech pathologist Sharon Milner entered the picture. "His attitude is about the best I've ever worked with," she shares. "Some people would think, ‘Poor me.' He has the attitude of bettering himself, while accepting the way he is."

"Sharon really put me to the test. She had me calling local businesses on the phone and setting up interviews," Adrian says. "She helped me understand the technical part of my problem with my vocal chords, and I started believing I could speak normally."

As Adrian kept piling up monumental numbers and the Eagles kept rolling to win after win, the post-game media blitz became a nightmare. "It used to take me 15 minutes just to answer one question during interviews, and I would just get SO frustrated. Now, I don't mind, and even enjoy talking about my speech problem and my faith to school kids. It seems to get their attention."

Peterson recently has accepted requests to speak at area FCA banquets. He had an audience in Macon in tears as he shared his testimony, having to pause only a few times to take a deep breath and steady his nerves in front of the microphone.

"He's always been like a younger role model to me," brother Michael said. "I call him all the time just to hear what's up, and when I see what he's overcome in his life, it can't help but lift me up."

Adrian's teammates hope that he can lift them up to a third consecutive national title in Division I-AA. Throughout this senior season he kept seeing more and more national records fall as he approached new marks in career yards rushing, most touchdowns and consecutive 100-yard rushing games. (Until Oct. 13, he had rushed for more than 100 yards in every college game he had ever played. Although that streak came to an end, his production within the Eagles' offense has been nothing short of spectacular–1,243 yards rushing and 14 touchdowns through the first nine games of the season, in an offense that averages 37 points per game.)

"I honestly am just trying to enjoy every single game of my senior season, but when I hear that I have a chance to break records set by Herschel Walker, Ron Dayne, Archie Griffin and Ricky Williams…it sometimes doesn't seem real."

Peterson is listed as one of the top ten candidates for this year's Heisman Trophy, even though a Division I-AA player never has gotten close. His ability to sustain eye-popping statistics his entire career has A.P. watchers believing he can make it at the next level. "He is one of the strongest people I've ever known. Physically, spiritually, and mentally he just has so much to offer. I wouldn't want to be the one to tell him he can't make it in the pros," says senior quarterback J.R. Revere.

Peterson has been overcoming obstacles his whole life and is not about to stop working now. "I just want us to win another national championship, then I'll think about the other stuff. And even if the pros don't work out, I graduate this fall with a degree in commercial recreation. I want to work at a big hotel, planning events for the guests, and then even build my own resort someday."

He then adds with his huge smile, "I guess if I can't play in the games one day, I at least want to plan them."

"I feel like God has really taken care of my family," Adrian says. "I just feel blessed to be a part of it."

Scott Adams is a Middle Georgia FCA Representative who is based in Macon.