Hall of Fame NFL cornerback Patrick Peterson has offered straightforward advice to WNBA star Caitlin Clark in the wake of an incident where she was struck in the throat by Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas. Peterson, an eight-time Pro Bowler, believes Clark should channel any frustration from such fouls into her on-court performance.
During the Indiana Fever's recent 111-109 loss to the Mercury, Clark was involved in a scrum and subsequently hit in the throat by Thomas. No foul was called on the play, and Clark left the game due to injury. In an interview, Peterson stated that when Clark's teams face the Mercury again, she should aim to "bury these fools."
"Every time I see the Mercury show up on my schedule, it’s on from when the schedule comes out," Peterson said. He emphasized that on-court action is the most effective way to respond, as physical altercations are not permitted.
"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," Peterson explained. He added that while teammates might rally in defense of Clark, the ultimate solution lies in her individual performance.
Peterson, who had a 13-season NFL career from 2011 to 2023, was a standout player known for his defensive prowess. He was named to the NFL's All-Decade Team for the 2010s and recorded 36 interceptions and 122 pass deflections over his career. He played for the Arizona Cardinals, Minnesota Vikings, and Pittsburgh Steelers.
Beyond his football career, Peterson is also preparing for the American Century Championship golf tournament in July. He mentioned using an AI-powered golf app called Performance Golf to help refine his game, a tool he has been utilizing for four months.