Allen Park — Zach Zenner grew up a Vikings fan.
His father, Paul, recalls him invoking names like Robert Smith, the star running back during the 1990s, when they’d play football in the backyard. And Zach once bought an Adrian Peterson jersey for his younger brother.
On Sunday, Zenner returns home as an NFL running back, but will try to help the Lions beat their division rivals. And many of his relatives and several people from high school are expected to be in the stands.
But don’t expect Zenner, making his first pro homecoming after growing up in the southern Twin Cities suburb of Eagan, to scan the crowd to see his supporters.