PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Before he was voted to receive The Chief Award for cooperation with the media. Before he started a podcast with his cousin Bryant McFadden. It was a former Pitt great that showed Patrick Peterson how to act like a professional.
It started his rookie season after being selected in the first round by the Arizona Cardinals. It wasn’t a team filled with stars, except for a 28-year-old receiver who nearly won the Heisman Trophy with the Panthers.
“I was very fortunate to be with a future Hall of Famer in Larry Fitzgerald,” Peterson said Wednesday. “Had an opportunity to watch him work each and every day, not only on the field, but in the locker room.”
He was eye opening for the rookie star from LSU. Peterson had the potential to be a two-way player. He was really, a starter at corner and led the NFL with 699 yards returning punts with four touchdowns. Yet even with his immediate success, he kept noticing Fitzgerald.
“How he interacts with the media,” Peterson said. “Not only with the media, but whomever he crossed paths with. He’s just a guy that is really, really a people person.”
Peterson watched Fitzgerald for 10 years. An eternity for players to be on the same team in today’s NFL. He said it was easy after a decade together to follow suit to the All-Pro’s example.
“That was something that he did for me without me even asking,” Peterson said. “That was just me watching from afar. That’s how I’ve always been by leading by example for great young guys that are up and coming.”
Previous winners of the Chief Award, including several who have gone on to post-football media careers (Ryan Clark, Ramon Foster, Arthur Moats, Jerome Bettis, Merril Hoge, Tunch Ilkin)
Cam Heyward (three times)
Mason Cole
Ben Roethlisberger
Joe Haden
Ike Taylor
Alan Faneca
Brett Keisel
Hines Ward
Rod Woodson