Patrick Peterson
A shutdown cornerback whose rare blend of size, speed, and ball skills defined a generation of defensive back play and earned him a gold jacket destiny.
Born 1990 (age 36)·American football player·Birthday: July 11·Millennials
Biography
Patrick Peterson didn't just play cornerback; he redefined the position's potential for a decade. From his days as a unanimous All-American at LSU, where he dominated as a return man and defender, it was clear he was a special athlete. Drafted fifth overall by the Arizona Cardinals in 2011, he immediately became the league's premier island, tasked with shadowing the opponent's best receiver every Sunday. His eight consecutive Pro Bowl selections to start his career underscore a period of sustained dominance. Beyond pure coverage, Peterson was a threat to take the ball the other way, with a nose for interceptions and punt returns that often swung games. His career, spanning Arizona, Minnesota, and Pittsburgh, is a masterclass in elite, versatile defensive artistry.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Patrick was born in 1990, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Patrick Was Born
The biggest hits of 1990
#1 Movie
Home Alone
Best Picture
Dances with Wolves
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
Patrick's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1990Born
Hubble Space Telescope launched; Germany reunifies
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.80/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Hold On" — Wilson PhillipsBest Picture: Dances with Wolves
1995Started school
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
2003Became a teenager
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2006Could drive
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2008Could vote
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2011Turned 21
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2020Turned 30
COVID-19 pandemic shuts down the world
Gas: $2.17/galHome: $248,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Blinding Lights" — The WeekndBest Picture: Nomadland
2026Age 36 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Selected to the Pro Bowl eight consecutive times from 2011 to 2018.
- Named First-Team All-Pro three times (2011, 2013, 2015) during his peak with the Arizona Cardinals.
- Won the Chuck Bednarik Award and the Jim Thorpe Award in 2010 as college football's best defensive player and defensive back.
- Recorded over 35 career interceptions and returned four punts for touchdowns in the NFL.
Did You Know?
He is the cousin of former NFL wide receiver Bryant McFadden.
Peterson returned a punt 99 yards for a touchdown in his rookie NFL season, tying a league record.
He played both cornerback and wide receiver in high school and occasionally practiced on offense during his early NFL years.
He hosts his own podcast, 'All Things Covered,' with former teammate Bryant McFadden.
“I always want to be on that island. I always want that challenge.”
