C.J.: The question amused Adrian Peterson

As Adrian Peterson arrived at U.S. District Court Friday, five blocks from where the new Vikings stadium is being built, I asked him a question that made him laugh … a little.

Are we ever going to see you this close to the Dome again?

You may decide for yourself what kind of laugh Peterson gave me by viewing startribune.com/video.

After the court hearing, Peterson came outside to greet fans and address the media. He said, "Of course," when asked if he wanted to remain with the Vikings.

The Vikes' all-time leading rusher is fighting the NFL suspension handed out after he pleaded no-contest to assault charges stemming from his discipline of a 4-year-old son. That suspension is scheduled to end April 15 if he meets certain conditions.

Peterson's coach and some teammates say they want the superstar running back, but I've also heard concern that No. 28's pride may prompt him to seek a fresh start. As dailynorseman.com noted, the Wilf family also is probably trying to assess what kind of hit the franchise would take from ­sponsors and the public if Peterson returns. There's also a salary cap issue.

Two points in support of AP, from me:

First is a name: Richie Incognito. Jonathan Martin's personal bully when they were both Dolphins, has landed a deal with the Bills.

Second: Pope Francis proclaimed spanking OK within certain parameters. Of course, Peterson should be the first to admit that he wasn't within the parameters.

I've forgiven AP for going overboard.

About Mrs. AP: Hmmm

Gorgeous Ashley Peterson, wife of Adrian Peterson, looked different to me outside the courthouse. I do believe an announcement is forthcoming.

She did not appear to have the abs viewable in one midriff-baring photo on Twitter that @MrsAshPeterson recently took with her husband and Kevin Hart in Austin, Texas. And she seemed to be protecting that part of her body as the couple navigated a media horde on the way to court.

After seeing a photo of the newlyweds at a July event, I took a photo of Mrs. Peterson's midsection, which I admit is a source of fixation to me. Maybe the extremely fit Mrs. Peterson's stomach was slightly more noticeable to me on that occasion because she had just had a Jucy Lucy at Matt's Bar?

I could be wrong about what I saw with my own eyes on Friday and so could two other members of the media who volunteered that they had noticed Mrs. Peterson appearing fuller.

Ashley and Adrian, who married in 2014, have a son, Adrian Peterson Jr. The NFLer has other children from other relationships — before he matured, he has said.

Orange alert for Purple One

"The View" co-host Rosie Perez said on ABC that Prince looked like "a cool orangesicle" in the outfit he wore at the Grammys where he presented Beck with the Album of the Year award.

My ice cream truck called it something else, which is why Sunday I tweeted, "The Dreamsicle has arrived to hand out Album of the Year. My boy Symbolina aka Prince."

Perez also reminisced about time she spent in Chanhassen. "I remember as a choreographer, we had the privilege of working at Paisley Park and snuck up into his private room. Oh my God, it was just so wonderful. I got busted and in trouble but it was so worth it."

Going on the Web to see the meme made of Prince's teen-like facial expressions at the Grammys is worth it. I also like the frame grab of one facial expression that has been juxtaposed with a photo of NBC anchor Brian Williams, whose silver tongue has tarnished his career in mainstream media.

U grad doesn't give an inch

A knucklehead who barged into KTLA-TV reporter Steve Kuzj's live shot got a surprise from the U alum, who's now in Los Angeles.

"News Reporter SHOVES GUY HARD" reads a headline on one of the videos posed on YouTube.

"With the terrible things many rude people are trying to yell on TV these days, you can never be off guard," Kuzj told me Monday via Twitter.

Kuzj didn't miss a beat in his measles vaccine story http://tinyurl.com/ovaz4vw.

C.J. can be reached at cj@startribune.com and seen on FOX 9's "Buzz." E-mailers, please state a subject; "Hello" does not count. Attachments are not opened.