Adrian Peterson's father confirmed to be Edmond dealership employee
By JOHN E. HOOVER World Sports Writer
8/6/2006
NORMAN -- An employee at Jackie Cooper Imports in Edmond confirmed on Saturday that Nelson Peterson, father of Oklahoma running back Adrian Peterson, is an employee at the car dealership.
Jackie Cooper, an Oklahoma City-area businessman for more than five decades, is listed as an official financial donor to the University of Oklahoma athletic department.
In light of recent events surrounding the dismissal of two players for their relationship with a Norman dealer -- including the use of a car last winter by Peterson -- it's likely the NCAA will include Nelson Peterson's employment at Jackie Cooper BMW in what most figure is an inevitable investigation.
Nelson Peterson was recently released from a federal prison in Texarkana, Texas. He was remanded to a halfway house in Dallas and has moved to a halfway house in Oklahoma City. Nelson Peterson's incarceration means he hasn't seen his son play football live since Adrian's seventh-grade season.
An OU official said Saturday the university knew of Nelson Peterson's employment at Jackie Cooper Imports.
Both the OU official and the employee at the dealer, who requested anonymity, said Peterson's employment was legitimate and would not be found in violation of NCAA rules. The
NCAA prohibits family members of student-athletes from receiving extra benefits or preferential treatment.
The employee said Peterson's hire was unusual but not unprecedented for the dealership. For privacy reasons, he declined to identify whether Peterson was employed full- or part-time and what his duties at the dealership are.