NORMAN, Okla. (AP) - Former University of Oklahoma running back Adrian Peterson has pledged a $1 million gift to OU athletics.

The university announced Thursday that the money will be used to help pay for construction of a new student housing facility and to establish the Adrian Peterson Football Scholarship endowment.

Peterson played at OU from 2004-2006 and is the third leading rusher in school history. He was a first-round draft pick in the 2007 NFL draft when the Minnesota Vikings took him with the seventh overall pick.

Peterson said in a statement released by OU that he had always hoped to donate to OU and that it was a "no-brainer" now that he's established and comfortable enough to make the donation.