Adrian Peterson named league MVP

Adrian Peterson has been named the Most Valuable Player in the National Football League for the 2012 season.

The Minnesota Vikings running back came just nine yards short of breaking the single-season record for rushing yards less than a year after reconstructive surgery on his knee.

It is the first time since 2006 that the award has not gone to a quarterback.

Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning was named comeback player of the year, having missed the 2011 season while recovering from neck surgery.

Robert Griffin III beat Andrew Luck and Russell Wilson to the offensive rookie of the year award, while JJ Watt was named defensive player of the year.