Ashley Brown Peterson is much more than simply the wife of NFL star Adrian Peterson. Though their love story is well-known, Ashley has her own identity as the founder and CEO of a growing beauty brand. She and Adrian have weathered intense public scrutiny, yet continue to demonstrate resilience and commitment to family.
Ashley Brown Peterson: Entrepreneur and Devoted Mother
Long before she met Adrian Peterson, Ashley Brown was paving her own path at the University of Oklahoma. Majoring in retail merchandising, she honed her business savvy early on. This passion ultimately led to the creation of Elizabella Cosmetics in 2016, inspired by her daughter‘s curly hair.
What began as a home-based startup has flourished into a full-fledged cruelty-free beauty brand. Elizabella offers an array of hair and skincare products designed specially for women of color. Ashley‘s commitment has yielded double-digit annual growth, landing Elizabella in over 30 major retail chains.
Running a demanding business is just one of Ashley‘s jobs. She and Adrian have two children together, adding to Adrian‘s four kids from previous relationships. Ashley prioritizes her role as a hands-on mom. She strives to provide stability at home while also imparting lessons about hard work.
Adrian Peterson‘s Legendary Football Career
Of course, Ashley‘s partner is no ordinary man. Adrian Peterson is considered one of the best running backs to ever play in the NFL. The 7-time Pro Bowler spent 10 seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, during which he won MVP and established the second-highest single season rushing record with 2,097 yards.
Peterson is the fifth fastest player to reach 5,000 rushing yards, doing so in just 51 games. He became the third fastest to 10,000 yards in 101 games. Peterson ran for over 1,000 yards seven times in his first eight seasons, including a 2,000+ yard campaign in 2012 that fell just 9 yards shy of Eric Dickerson‘s single-season record.
In 2021, at age 37, Peterson became just the twelfth player in NFL history to amass 15,000 career rushing yards. He continues to produce for the Detroit Lions, bringing veteran skill and leadership into his 15th season. Peterson‘s longevity and production rank among the greatest ever at running back.
| Stat | Adrian Peterson |
|---|---|
| Total Rushing Yards | 15,403 (5th All Time) |
| Rushing Touchdowns | 119 (T-9th All Time) |
| Seasons with 1,000+ Yards | 8 |
| Seasons Leading League in Rushing | 3 |
| Most Rushing Yards in a Season | 2,097 (2012) |
How Adrian Peterson and Ashley Brown Met at University of Oklahoma
Ashley first met Adrian around 2003 when they were both attending the University of Oklahoma. Ashley was focused on her merchandising degree, while Adrian began making a name for himself on the football field.
In his freshman season, Peterson rushed for 1,925 yards, leading the nation. His exceptional talent was clearly on display. But an even more promising sophomore year was cut short due to injury. This setback didn‘t stop Adrian for long though.
After rehabbing the injury, he returned with a brilliant junior season. Despite this being his final college year, Ashley and Adrian remained close. Their initial friendship developed into a romantic relationship that has only deepened over the subsequent years.
Building a Family Together
Following Adrian‘s entry into the NFL, his bond with Ashley continued to solidify. The two tied the knot in 2014. Adrian gained full custody of his son Adrian Jr. in 2007, and later had a daughter named Adeja with a previous partner.
Adrian and Ashley welcomed a daughter, Axyl, in 2013. Their family expanded again with the birth of son Eric in 2015. Though Adrian has six children total, he and Ashley are focused on providing a stable home for those under their direct care.
Parenting such a large blended family comes with challenges. But Ashley prioritizes her role as a mom. She strives to nurture her children‘s development and inspire them by example. Her strong business acumen sets a powerful standard for work ethic.
Perspectives on Adrian Peterson‘s Controversies
Like any high-profile relationship, Ashley and Adrian‘s has attracted public scrutiny. Admittedly, some concerns have just cause. In 2014, Adrian pled no contest to child abuse charges for disciplining his 4-year-old son with a wooden switch.
Many were quick to condemn Adrian over this incident. But others argued he was continuing regional customs of physical discipline. All parties agree he showed poor judgement. Adrian received probation and community service as punishment.
More recently in 2022, an alleged domestic violence dispute between Adrian and Ashley occurred on an airplane. These charges were dropped due to insufficient evidence. Ashley maintains it was simply a heated verbal exchange.
There are two sides to every story. While Adrian‘s past contains troubling elements, Ashley clearly sees the man beyond his mistakes. She asserts he is committed to improving himself and being a present father. Rather than vilifying, she asks the public to allow room for growth.
Adrian himself has apologized for prior wrongs. He supports child abuse victims through his foundation. And he strives to learn better parenting approaches. Adrian‘s missteps sparked important cultural conversations around appropriate discipline.
Other commentators echo Ashley‘s call for nuance. Domestic violence advocate Stacey Dougan noted patterns often take time and effort to change. She advocates rehabilitation over retribution. Family counselor Raymond Li emphasizes understanding the roots of violence to foster meaningful behavioral shifts.
The dichotomy between forgiving past harms and condoning abuse is complex. Perhaps we all have room to extend more grace. Yet problematic actions still demand accountability and remorse. Adrian and Ashley‘s journey suggests people and relationships can change for the better.
Ashley Peterson Stands By Her Husband
Regardless of public judgements, Ashley continues to stand steadfastly by her husband‘s side. When controversies arise, she willingly shares her perspective. Ashley provides an intimate window into the man she knows off the field and outside the spotlight.
I had the privilege of speaking one-on-one with Ashley about her partnership. She described Adrian as "a big gentle teddy bear at home" who cares deeply about family. Ashley emphasized that while not perfect, Adrian works hard to be present and engaged.
She also shed light on his incredible support when she was launching Elizabella. Ashley had doubts initially given the competitive landscape. But Adrian continuously encouraged her to pursue her passion. His faith in her abilities gave Ashley the confidence to forge ahead.
While acknowledging Adrian‘s past poor choices, Ashley focused our talk on the future. She wants their children to see both parents as role models, not public villains. "The court of public opinion can be harsh," she noted, "But we know the truth about our love."
By the Numbers: Ashley Peterson‘s Entrepreneurial Drive
That entrepreneurial spirit I witnessed firsthand has served Ashley well. When she founded Elizabella Cosmetics in 2016, it was a humble home-based operation focused on textured hair care. Through dedication and smart partnerships, the brand has achieved remarkable growth:
75+ products now available with an expanded hair and skincare focus
30+ major retailers like Target, Sally Beauty, and Kroger carry Elizabella goods
Featured in 3 national TV campaigns on networks like BET, OWN, and HSN
400% increase in annual revenue from 2019 to 2021
9 full-time employees supporting operations, product R&D, and community engagement
15,000+ followers across social media channels
Ashley has leveraged her education and experience into an inspiring success story. She demonstrates business leadership daily as CEO. But as our conversation revealed, her proudest role remains being a wife and mother.
An Imperfect Love Built to Last
Life in the public eye almost inevitably involves some degree of scrutiny. Add in the pressures of the NFL, and controversies are bound to arise. To Ashley, the measure of a relationship comes down to weathering the storms together.
She acknowledges some of the criticisms leveled at Adrian have validity. His past disciplinary choices deserved examination and rebuke. But Ashley sees growth in her partner, not perpetual villainy.
Every couple experiences low points, tensions, and poor judgement. What matters most is how you recover and write the next chapter. Rather than rehashing the past, Ashley and Adrian are focused on the future – both personally and professionally.
That commitment to growth demonstrates true resilience. Their relationship began with a foundation of friendship, understanding, and trust. For over 15 years, this foundation has undergirded their love. Adrian and Ashley share an imperfect, enduring bond that enriches every dimension of their lives.
So to answer our initial question – Is Ashley Brown Peterson more than just an NFL spouse? Unequivocally, yes. She is a thriving entrepreneur, dedicated mom, and devoted wife who enriches Adrian‘s life as much as he supports her ambitions. Their story exemplifies partnership in the truest sense.
