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Josh Weinfuss
Tempe, Arizona. Recognizing that his 10 -year mandate with the Arizona cardinals ended bitterly in 2020, Patrick Peterson said Monday that he was an obvious “retiring with the franchise.
Peterson, 34, returned to Arizona headquarters on Monday to officially announce the end of his 13 -year -old career that began as the fifth selection in 2011.
“My career is here, he lives here,” said Peterson. So, it was obvious to me to go back here to retire where it all started. “
“I am announcing that I am officially withdrawing.” pic.twitter.com/1rw3ujsaqk
– Arizona Cardinals (@azcardinals) April 14, 2025
With his wife, two daughters, mother, father, closest friends and former teammates present, Peterson saw a prominent video before taking the stage with the owner Michael Bidwill in the team’s meeting room. With each one sitting in high stools, Peterson thanked Bidwill, his former teammates, mentors, team staff, video staff and other members of the cardinal organization.
The future member of the Hall of Fame, Larry Fitzgerald, was in the front row, as Cardinal Calais Campbell and the former security of the cardinals, Tony Jefferson were recently signed. The former teammates Jay Feely, Drew Stanton, Adrian Wilson, Andre Roberts, Dennis Gardck and Budda Baker also attended. The current cardinals Trey McBride, Jalen Thompson and Garrett Williams also attended.
“You kept me on every day,” said Peterson. “You kept me up. You lit that fire in me and did so, so happy to come to work every day.”
“Many things were said. It was not the biggest game, but at the end of the day, this is where my legacy is. This is where my legacy began.”
Patrick Peterson, in his decision to retire with the cardinals
Peterson said he wanted to be remembered as a “fierce competitor” who brought “joy to the game” but also “raised” his teammates.
Peterson’s process returned to Arizona to retire when a cardinal began after the Super Bowl in February. After not playing in 2024, Peterson decided to hang it forever. While I was in Arizona for a golf excursion, he had lunch with Bidwill, where the two have taken some lasting feelings, including the corner’s request from an exchange in 2018 that quickly retracted, and comments that Peterson made about the organization while he was a member of the Minnesota Vikings in 2022.
“We had the opportunity to amend some of the things that were something we needed to solve,” Peterson said. “And we did it. We advanced, we set our hands, we hugged each other, we take photos, and now we are here making it official as an Arizona cardinal.”
Peterson added: “Many things were said. It was not the biggest game, but at the end of the day, this is where my legacy is. This is where my legacy began.”
Bidwill said he mentioned the idea of removing Peterson’s number 21 when the corner left Arizona five years ago, but Peterson said Monday that before it happens, he wants the number of Larry Fitzgerald to retire first.
“We needed to do this first,” said Peterson. “He told me I’m in line. I know I can’t go before Fitzy. I told him that I don’t want to go before Fitzy. So, when that happens, it will be after him.”
However, the eight times Bowler and the three times, the first All-Rro team, made it clear that he could still play, he simply does not want to do it. He said he has been enjoying spending more time with his family, traveling and playing golf with friends.
During the past year, he has accepted his football mortality.
“At the end of the day, I had a great 13 -year -old career,” he said. “There is no regret. And, my wife, we talked about this since I could not be collected last year, I am perfectly well with my decision. I am very happy where I am in life and in my career.” My cement is dry now, so now it is in the hands of God if I do enough to be where I really want to be at the end of my career and that soccer sky. “
Peterson, who now lives on the east coast, wants to enter the media panorama as a personality in the air and do what he can help Arizona win a NFL title.
“I want to be behind the camera and be able to express my thoughts, supplies, to be able to give fans, the spectators, something that may not know about the game,” said Peterson. “So, that’s what I want to do.”
