Greatest Viking Of All Time Tournament: (1) Adrian Peterson vs (1) Bud Grant

We've put sixty matches in the books so far in our Greatest Viking Of All Time Tournament, and there are just three to go to see who will end up on top of the purple and gold mountain.* All four of our final contestants are worthy of hoisting the trophy, but in the end only one will be able to do so.

In this match-up, the man that is easily the best current Viking takes on the man that truly put the Minnesota Vikings on the map as an NFL franchise.

Adrian Peterson

Alma Mater: University of Oklahoma
Acquired by Vikings: Round 1, 2007 NFL Draft
Seasons in Minnesota: 6 (2007-2012)
Position: Running back
How He Got Here: Defeated Ed Sharockman 140-6 in Round 1; Defeated Zygi Wilf 226-3 in Round 2; Defeated Chuck Foreman 204-18 in Round 3; Defeated Jared Allen 238-18 in Round 4

Adrian Peterson holds pretty much every meaningful rushing record in the history of the Minnesota Vikings, and has done so in just six seasons of play. He is the team's leader in rushing yardage, and in 2013 will likely become the first 10,000-yard back in team history. He leads the team in rushing touchdowns, carries, yards per game, and numerous other categories as well. He was the 2007 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, a Pro Bowl player in five of his six seasons, a first-team All-Pro three different times. . .oh, and the 2012 National Football League Most Valuable Player. He also holds the NFL record for the most rushing yards in a game, setting the record with 296 yards against the San Diego Chargers in 2007, and came within nine yards of breaking Eric Dickerson's single-season rushing mark in a season where he was coming off of a horrific knee injury. Adrian Peterson has clearly established himself as the greatest running back in Minnesota Vikings history, and could be the best of all time at the position by the time he finishes.

Bud Grant

Alma Mater: University of Minnesota
Acquired by Vikings: Became head coach prior to 1967 season
Seasons in Minnesota: 18 (1967-1983, 1985)
Position: Head Coach
How He Got Here: Defeated Ryan Longwell 153-6 in Round 1; Defeated Steve Jordan 177-16 in Round 2; Defeated Chris Doleman 145-38 in Round 3; Defeated John Randle 155-87 in Round 4

For many people, when they think of the Minnesota Vikings, the face that comes to mind is that of Bud Grant. Shots of Grant on the sidelines of the old Metropolitan Stadium, steam flowing from his nose and mouth as he kept an eye on his charges, displaying the same granite visage regardless of the situation. The Minnesota Vikings started having success as soon as Grant got to Minnesota. In his 18 seasons on the Minnesota sidelines, he compiled a record of 158-96-5, taking the team to four Super Bowls and winning the National Football League championship in 1969. He was named by ESPN as one of the twenty greatest coaches in National Football League history, and is easily the greatest coach this franchise has ever seen. He still has an office at Winter Park after all of these years, and is still just as sharp as ever at the age of 86.

If you need a primer on how the voting for our contest works, we have one for you at this link here. Remember, rec the comments to register your vote. Putting "Vote - Name" in the subject line of a post does not count.

If you want to vote for Adrian Peterson, rec the comment that says "Vote - Adrian Peterson"
If you want to vote for Bud Grant, rec the comment that says "Vote - Bud Grant"

Also, please do not reply to either of the first two comments in the thread. Those comments need to remain together and not have one get pushed down the comments section.

Voting is open for 24 hours, just like always, folks. Have at it!