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Vikes RB Adrian Peterson: College players should be paid

Vikings running back Adrian Peterson rushed for 1,266 yards and 10 TD's last season. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Adrian Peterson says allegations of HGH use "makes me feel good." (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Minnesota Vikings running Adrian Peterson said that college athletes deserve to get paid while they are in school because athletes are the ones bringing the majority of the money to the universities.

As an example, Peterson also said that he and former Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel brought in lots of money while they were in school.

""When I was in college, I know personally, as far as jersey sales and ticket sales, I helped make that university a lot of money." Peterson said during a conference call to promote a recovery icing device called Hyperice, via the Minneapolis Star Tribune. "Johnny Manziel helped make Texas A&M so much money. You're talking about championship games that he was able to lead those guys to. You're talking about jersey sales that he don't see a dime of."

Peterson said he doesn't think college basketball players should be forced to stay in school for two seasons. NBA rules stipulate that a player must be at least 19 years of age to enter the draft, as there has been talk to increase the age limit.

"They're trying to make basketball players go two years in college. Wow. I wonder why?" Peterson said. "Think about it -- just imagine if LeBron James had been in college for two years. How much money would that college have made off LeBron James? They would have made so much money off LeBron James. It's about the freedom to do as you want and make your own decisions."

Peterson, 29, is rehabbing from groin surgery this season and said he should be ready for training camp, even though he can't participate in the team's offseason workout program.

"Right now, the most important thing is getting healthy," Peterson said. "That's what I'm doing. I'm rehabbing, I'm working out, still, trying to get the body back to where it needs to be."

ELLIS: NFLPA head DeMaurice Smith issues support for Northwestern’s union efforts