El Paso high school football: Americas running back Aaron Dumas gets advice from NFL RB
Felix F. Chavez
Americas running back Aaron Dumas got some support and encouragement from NFL running back Adrian Peterson in a video posted online.
Peterson congratulated Dumas on his junior season and offered him encouragement on his career moving forward.
"I just wanted to congratulate you on an amazing season," Peterson says in the video. "Over 3,100 yards this season. Hey, that's pretty incredible. I also heard that you were selected to the 6A All-State First Team. Yeah, with 3,100 yards, you better be selected first. That's amazing and incredible accomplishment."
Peterson adds: "Just keep working hard. Remember, anything and everything you do, you get out what you put in. It's as simple as that."
He tells Dumas that he'll be competing against athletes from across the U.S. who have the same goal.
"That's why you always got to set your bar high in any and everything you do. Your body can do some incredible things if mentally you are able to push through that burn, push through what you're feeling," he says.
"Just mentally, you have to be able to push through those things and you'll see the results."
He says, "Give it all you've got."
The NFL great adds: "That's all part of chasing greatness and being great, understanding that your body can do incredible things if mentally you are able to push through it."
Dumas rushed for 3,184 yards and 36 touchdowns and also caught seven passes for 80 yards in leading Americas to a school-best 10 wins, a District 1-6A title and a bidistrict playoff win in 2019.
Dumas was named the El Paso Times' All-City Most Valuable Player for his work last season and also was named to the Texas Class 6A, Associated Press All-State football team for the second straight year.
Dumas is a Division I recruit and holds offers from Houston, New Mexico, Southern Methodist University, North Texas, Texas State and Illinois State.
Peterson is from Palestine, Texas, played college football at Oklahoma and has played in the NFL with Minnesota, New Orleans, Arizona and Washington.
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More: Americas running back Aaron Dumas named El Paso Times' MVP
Felix F. Chavez may be reached at 915-546-6167; fchavez@elpasotimes.com; @Fchavezeptimes on Twitter.