Although Peterson dazzled the Oklahoma faithful for three injury-plagued seasons, he didn't receive a penny. Whether to pay college athletes has never been a more controversial, discussed topic than it is today, and Peterson offered his opinion Wednesday.

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"When I was in college, I know personally, as far as jersey sales and ticket sales, I helped make that university a lot of money," Peterson said during a conference call to promote Hyperice, a recovery icing device that he endorses. "Johnny Manziel helped make Texas A&M so much money. You're talking about championship games that he was able to lead those guys to. You're talking about jersey sales that he don't see a dime of.

"I feel like as much money as universities make, I feel that some of that money should be given down to the players as well because we are the ones that are making this university money," Peterson said. "These bowl games? Without the players, how much money to do they make? None."

The 29-year-old running back adds to the growing list of athletes, as well as many others surrounding the sports world, who believe student-athletes should receive monetary compensation for their time and effort.

Peterson isn't only concerned about football players, by the way. He also addressed the idea that college basketball players should be forced to remain at a school for two years before going pro, not one.

"I hear that they're trying to make basketball players go two years to college," the 2012 MVP said, unprompted. "Wow. I wonder why? Just think about it. Imagine if LeBron James would've had to go to college for two years. How much money would that college have made off of LeBron James? They would've made so much