Work long enough in journalism and you will be assigned a "person on the street" interview — likely against your will. But I've never had a moment quite so awkward and hilarious as John Donnelly of Fox 26 in Houston recently had.

Donnelly appeared to be asking folks about traffic. He approached a muscular man in a tank top, and that man gave a thoughtful answer.

Donnelly then did what all diligent reporters do by asking the interview subject for his name.

"Adrian Peterson," he replied.

Then there was a pause. Donnelly stumbled and said, "Wait a minute. … You're not … "

Another second passed, and Peterson just smiled and says, "Yeah," at which point Donnelly realized he was interviewing the star running back and Texas native. Everyone started laughing.

Kudos to Donnelly for posting it on his Facebook page — and to Peterson for behaving just like any other person on the street.

Read Michael Rand's blog at startribune.com/randball. michael.rand@startribune.com.