OKLAHOMA CITY -- Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson apologized to his fans for his absence from a youth football camp carrying his name in Oklahoma.
Peterson has appeared at the camp near the University of Oklahoma campus in Norman the past three years, but he says he won't be able to make it Thursday or Friday for this year's event.
"I want to apologize to all the fans about the confusion regarding the camp in Norman," Peterson said in a statement issued Wednesday night to The Associated Press through his agent, Ben Dogra. "I hosted camps in Palestine and Tyler, Texas, last week that went great. Due to ProCamps' misunderstanding of my schedule, I was never able to host this year's Norman camp on their scheduled dates, but look forward to being back in 2012."
Peterson set an NCAA freshman record with 1,925 yards rushing in 2004 while helping the Sooners reach an Orange Bowl matchup against USC with the national title on the line. He played three seasons in Norman before he was a first-round draft pick by Minnesota, for which he has been an All-Pro selection twice.
Two of Peterson's former college teammates, 2003 Heisman Trophy winner Jason White and St. Louis Rams receiver Mark Clayton, will be appearing at the camp in his place, along with former Sooners running back DeMarco Murray.
ProCamps also posted a statement on its website taking the blame for the miscommunication and apologizing to Peterson, his fans and camp attendees. ProCamps said it will issue full refunds upon request or give $70 in gifts to kids who attend the camp.
"ProCamps has appreciated the opportunity to assist Adrian with his football camp the past three years, and due to a breakdown in communication on our end, the camp was scheduled at a time that prevented Adrian from being able to attend," the statement read.
"We would like to note that Adrian has never missed a minute of his camp since the inception and that over 1,000 kids have been impacted as a result. Furthermore, Adrian's commitment to helping kids is reflective in the multiple football camps he has hosted since entering the NFL and continues through his commitment to his personal foundation as well as mission trips assisting kids around the world."
ProCamps initially said Peterson would not be able to attend because he was taping a segment for the NFL Network and later corrected that statement because the taping won't occur until July 3.
Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press