After Patrick Peterson didn't play the entire 2024 season, it became clear that his NFL Career may be coming to a close. Peterson last played for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2023 after a 2 year tenure with the Minnesota Vikings which followed the ten years he spent with the Arizona Cardinals to start his career. On Monday, Patrick Peterson will return to the place that started his run of dominance in the NFL as he'll retire an Arizona Cardinal.
Patrick Peterson leaves football as one of the best cornerbacks of his time
As Patrick Peterson retires from football, he leaves the sport with an incredible legacy dominating at every level. The incredible career started in Pompano Beach, Florida where Patrick Peterson emerged as a Consensus 5-star recruit. After committing to Miami early on in his recruitment, Peterson reopened his recruitment and announced he'd play for LSU at the U.S. Army All American Bowl.
Upon arriving at LSU it was clear that Patrick Peterson was one of the rare talents, appearing in 13 games finishing the season with 41 tackles, three pass breakups, and an interception against Alabama.
During his Sophomore season, Peterson became the player quarterbacks and wide receivers would come to fear like he was in the NFL. In 2009, Peterson finished the season with 52 tackles and a pair of interceptions earning All-SEC and All-American Honors.
As a Junior, Quarterbacks stopped throwing at Peterson while punters and kickers stopped kicking the ball his direction as he made them pay every time. As a dominant kick and punt returner, Peterson became a Heisman contender but, as he stopped getting kicked the ball he had to settle for being a Unanimous All-American and taking home the Bednarik Award as the best defensive player in the Country, the Jack Tatum Trophy as the best defensive back in the Country, and the Jim Thorpe Award also given to the best defensive back.
Patrick Peterson's incredible College Career led to him being the 5th overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals. The selection by the Cardinals couldn't have gone better as the team got an 8-Time Pro Bowler and a 3-Time All Pro while Peterson was named to the 2010's All Decade Team.
The run of dominance Peterson went on to start his career was incredible as he was a Pro Bowler eight years straight to start his career. On a weekly basis, Peterson was left on an island against some of the best wide receivers in the NFL and nearly every week he got the best of the matchup.
After his time in Arizona, Peterson played 30 games for the Minnesota Vikings and 17 games with the Pittsburgh Steelers. In Minnesota, Peterson returned to the Purple and Gold while donning the number 7 a number he made a tradition at LSU. Peterson would finish his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers where he played both cornerback and safety for the team.
Throughout his incredible career, Peterson played in 201 games starting in all but, one of the games racking up 652 tackles, 4 sacks, 122 pass defenses, 2 forced fumbles, and 36 interceptions two of which were returned for touchdowns. As Peterson was a dynamic athlete he also caught 10 passes for 64 yards and rushed for 34 yards. During Peterson's Rookie season he led the NFL in Punt Return yards finishing his career with 1,816 yards returning and 4 punt return touchdowns.
Peterson ends his career with a potential Hall of Fame resume after being one of the best players in the sport for a decade stretch and for LSU fans it will always feel special to be a part of that journey from the beginning.