NFL Badass Adrian Peterson -- I Won't Let My Son Play Football

Minnesota Vikings star Adrian Peterson -- aka Purple Jesus ... aka one of the greatest running backs of all time -- says he'll NEVER LET HIS SON PLAY FOOTBALL!!!

Peterson was out in Houston last week for All-Star Weekend -- carrying his young son -- when he said, "This is Adrian Jr. He won't be playing football."

There are a million possible reasons for why a dad wouldn't let his son play football -- but coming from one of the greatest NFL players ever, it's pretty shocking.

The likely explanation ... the game of football has recently come under intense scrutiny for its long-term health risks -- following the high-profile suicides of several NFL stars, including Junior Seau.

Even President Obama has commented on the health concerns -- saying if he had a son, he would have to think about whether he would let him play football.