Julian Peterson

Julian Peterson

No. 98, 59
Linebacker
Personal information
Date of birth: July 28, 1978 (1978-07-28)
Place of birth: Hillcrest Heights, Maryland
Height: 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	Weight: 245 lb (111 kg)
Career information
College: Michigan State
NFL Draft: 2000 / Round: 1 / Pick: 16
Debuted in 2000 for the San Francisco 49ers
Career history
San Francisco 49ers (2000–2005) Seattle Seahawks (2006–2008) Detroit Lions (2009–2010)
Roster status: Active
Career highlights and awards
5× Pro Bowl selection (2002, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2008) 3× All-Pro selection (2002, 2003, 2007)
Career NFL statistics as of Week 17, 2008
Tackles	597
Sacks	46.0
INTs	8
Stats at NFL.com

Julian Thomas Peterson (born July 28, 1978 in Hillcrest Heights, Maryland) is a free agent linebacker in the National Football League. He was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the first round of the 2000 NFL Draft. He played college football at Michigan State. Peterson has also played for the Seattle Seahawks and the Detroit Lions.

Early years

Peterson attended Crossland High School in Temple Hills, Maryland. He was the 1996 Chesapeake Classic MVP.

College career

Valley Forge Military Academy

Peterson attended Valley Forge Military Academy and College for two years before attending Michigan State. In two seasons at Valley Forge he recorded 39.5 sacks and was first-team NJCAA All-America and Seaboard Conference Defensive Player of the Year as a sophomore.

Michigan State

Peterson played college football at Michigan State University for his junior and senior year. As a junior he was the honorable mention All-Big Ten pick by the media. As a senior he was an All-American selection by Football News and the Sporting News after recording 15 sacks. In his two years at Michigan State he recorded 140 tackles and 25 sacks in only 23 games.

Professional career

San Francisco 49ers

Peterson was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers 16th overall in the 2000 NFL Draft. As a rookie he started seven of 13 games recording 47 tackles, four sacks, and two interceptions. In 2002 Peterson was elected to the Pro Bowl for the first time after posting 94 tackles. In six seasons in San Francisco he recorded 394 tackles, 21.5 sacks, and five interceptions in 79 games and was elected to two Pro Bowls.

Seattle Seahawks

Peterson signed with the Seattle Seahawks before the 2006 season. In his first season in Seattle he was selected to the Pro Bowl for the third time after recording 89 tackles and a career-high 10 sacks. In his second season with the Seahawks he was selected to the Pro Bowl for the second straight year after posting 74 tackles and 9.5 sacks. During the 2008 NFL Training Camp, Peterson switched jersey numbers from #59 to #98, the number he wore during his previous tenure at San Francisco. In his third season with the team, Peterson made 86 tackles and five sacks, and was selected to his third consecutive Pro Bowl. In three seasons in Seattle he recorded 249 tackles, 24.5 sacks, and three interceptions in 48 games and was elected to three Pro Bowls.

Detroit Lions

The Seattle Seahawks traded Peterson to the Detroit Lions for defensive tackle Cory Redding and a 2009 fifth-round pick on March 14, 2009. On January 5, 2011, Peterson was given his release by the Lions.

Personal life

Peterson is married to wife Aimee and has a son, Jayson. He also has a older son Jadden.

External links

• Detroit Lions bio