NFL Veteran Patrick Peterson Advises Caitlin Clark to Dominate on Court After Throat Punch Incident

Retired NFL star Patrick Peterson has offered straightforward advice to basketball sensation Caitlin Clark: let your performance on the court be your ultimate response.

During a recent game where the Fever faced a 111-109 defeat against the Phoenix Mercury, Clark was involved in an incident where she was struck in the throat by opponent Alyssa Thomas while on the ground following a scramble for the ball. No penalty was called at the time, and Clark subsequently exited the game due to the injury.

Responding to On-Court Aggression

Peterson, a veteran of 13 NFL seasons and an eight-time Pro Bowl selection, stressed the importance of competitive retaliation. "When they play each other, now you got to prove it with your play," Peterson stated, suggesting Clark should view such incidents as motivation. "Now you understand that I'm getting cheap-shotted or however she may feel, I'm getting a cheap shot now. I got to go out here and bury these fools." He also shared his personal approach, saying, "Every time I see the Mercury show up on my schedule, it’s on from when the schedule comes out."

Peterson highlighted that in professional sports, physical altercations are not a viable option. He explained his long-standing mentality: "That's always been my mentality, because we can't fight on the court. We can't fight on the football field. We got helmets on. So what sense does that make? And the best way to silence someone is with your play."

Strategic Approach Over Confrontation

The three-time All-Pro athlete cautioned against teammates becoming overly protective, as it could lead to negative consequences. While initial emotional responses are understandable, Peterson noted the long-term detriment. "At the end of the day, you got to move on from it, you know?" Peterson remarked. "I mean, we can come in the locker room, and we can say, ‘Hurrah,’ and say we're going to do this, that, and the other, but you just saw what (Alyssa Thomas) just got, a suspension. And so now money is coming out of your own pocket."

A Distinguished NFL Career

Peterson was widely regarded as one of the premier cornerbacks in the NFL throughout his 13-year tenure. His exceptional play earned him a spot on the NFL’s All-Decade Team for the 2010s. Over 201 career games, Peterson accumulated an impressive record of 36 interceptions, 122 pass deflections, 652 total tackles, and four sacks.

He began his professional journey with the Arizona Cardinals, where he played for 10 seasons. Following his time in Arizona, he spent two seasons with the Minnesota Vikings and concluded his career with one season as a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers, playing from 2011 through 2023.

From Gridiron to Golf Course: The Role of AI

The Fort Lauderdale, Florida, native is set to participate in the American Century Championship, scheduled from July 10-12 at the Edgewood Golf Course in Lake Tahoe. Peterson shared that this annual event has grown significantly and is a cherished experience for his entire family.

"My girls look forward to going to Lake Tahoe each and every year to not only walk with dad, but to go out on the lake," Peterson shared. "Go on top the mountain and doing the zipline and things like that. So, the memories that they're able to create for the families that are involved are countless."

In preparation for the championship, Peterson has embraced technology to refine his golf skills, utilizing an artificial intelligence-powered application. "I'm using this app called Performance Golf. It's basically an app that you can download on your phone, and you can basically have a AI coach," he explained.

Peterson detailed the app's functionality: "You can video yourself, you can use any club, any swing, putter, wedge, chip, pitch, driver, irons, whatever you need that you need help in or want to see better results in, you can video yourself, submit the video, and then what'll happen is the AI coach will tell you what your flaw is what you need to work on to have better results. And I've been using it for the last four months and it's helped my game tremendously."