Rodney Peete

Rodney Peete

Peete in 2010
No. 9, 16
Position:	Quarterback
Personal information
Born:	(1966-03-16)March 16, 1966 Mesa, Arizona,U.S.
Height:	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:	230 lb (104 kg)
Career information
High school:	Shawnee Mission South (Overland Park, Kansas)
College:	USC(1985–1988)
NFL draft:	1989/ Round: 6 / Pick: 141
Career history
Detroit Lions(1989–1993) Dallas Cowboys(1994) Philadelphia Eagles(1995–1998) Washington Redskins(1999) Oakland Raiders(2000–2001) Carolina Panthers(2002–2004)
Career highlights and awards
Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award(1988) Pop Warner Trophy(1988) First-teamAll-American(1988) Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year(1988) First-teamAll-Pac-10(1988) Second-team All-Pac-10 (1987) NCAA Silver Anniversary Award(2014)
Career NFL statistics
Games played: 104 Pass attempts: 2,346 Pass completions: 1,344 Percentage: 57.3 TD–INT: 76–92 Passing yards: 16,338 Passer rating: 73.3
Player stats atPFR

Rodney Peete(born March 16, 1966) is an American former professionalfootballplayer who was aquarterbackin theNational Football League(NFL). He playedcollege footballfor theUSC Trojans,earning first-teamAll-Americanhonors in 1988. Peete was selected in the sixth round of the1989 NFL Draft.He played in the NFL for theDetroit Lions,Dallas Cowboys,Philadelphia Eagles,Washington Redskins,Oakland Raiders,andCarolina Panthers

Early life

Peete was born inMesa, Arizona.He attendedSahuaro High SchoolinTucson.Peete was a three-year letterman in football,basketball,andbaseball.In football, he was named the Arizona High School Player of the Year and an Academic All-American as a junior. He also contributed to his teams winning state championships in basketball and baseball.

Peete transferred toShawnee Mission South High SchoolinOverland Park, Kansasfor his senior year, after his father Willie was hired as an assistant coach by theKansas City Chiefs.He received PrepAll-Americanhonors at quarterback at the end of the season. Peete also was drafted in the 30th round (722nd overall) by theToronto Blue Jaysin the1984 Major League Baseball draft,but opted to attend college instead.

In 2012, Peete was inducted into theArizona Sports Hall of Fame.

College career

Peete accepted a football scholarship from theUniversity of Southern California,because head coachTed Tollnerhad given him an opportunity to play quarterback. As aredshirtfreshman, he began the season as a backupquarterbackbehindSean Salisbury.In the fifth game againstStanford University,Peete replaced Salisbury in the fourth quarter and led USC to its only touchdown in the second half, sealing a 30-6 win. Salisbury would struggle to a 4-4 record and was replaced with Peete as the starter in the ninth game, against theUniversity of Washington,which was a 20-17 loss. In the next game, he contributed to a 17-13 win againstUCLA.Peete finished the season with a 2-2 record earning 50-of-85 completions (58.8%) for 566 yards, five passing touchdowns, three interceptions, 49 carries for 78 yards, and one rushing touchdown.

As a sophomore, Peete started all 12 games, while contributing to a 7–5 record. He completed 160-of-305 attempts (52.5%) for 2,138 yards, 10 passing touchdowns, 15 interceptions, 103 carries for 124 yards and three rushing touchdowns.

As a junior, Peete started all 12 games, while contributing to an 8-4 record. He set a school record with five touchdown passes against theUniversity of Oregon.The team played in the1988 Rose Bowl,losing 20-17 toMichigan State University.Peete's statistics on the season were: 197-of-332 completions (59.3%) for 2,709 yards, 21 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, 70 carries for 145 yards and three rushing touchdowns.

As a senior, Peete started all 12 games and had a 10-2 record. He posted 223-of-359 completions (62.1%) for 2,812 yards, 18 passing touchdowns, 12 interceptions, 68 carries for 68 yards and five rushing touchdowns. His teams would win both head-to-head matchups in theUCLA–USC rivalryagainstTroy Aikman's UCLA teams, with the 31–22 win being notable in that Peete was stricken withmeaslesthe week before the game and had been hospitalized.The Trojans lost 22-14 in the1989 Rose Bowlagainst theUniversity of Michigan.For his efforts, he was the second player ever and the first Trojan to win theJohnny Unitas Awardas the nation's best senior quarterback (since earned byCarson PalmerandMatt Leinartas well). He was second toBarry Sandersand ahead of Aikman in the voting for theHeisman Trophy.

Peete finished his college career as the school's all-time leader in pass attempts (1,081), completions (630), passing yards (8,225), total offense (8,640) and starts (40). He also had 54 passing touchdowns, 42 interceptions, 290 carries for 415 yards and 12 rushing touchdowns.

Inbaseball,Peete played second base and shortstop as a freshman; although he was limited with a strained hamstring, he batted around.260 as part of a losing team. As a senior, he was the starter atthird base,hitting.338 with 12 home runs and 46 RBIs, while receiving All-Pac-10 honors. In his three seasons of collegiate baseball, Peete batted.297 with 18 home runs and 84 RBIs. He was drafted three different times while at USC; in the1988 MLB draftby theOakland Athleticsin the 14th round (359th overall), the1989 MLB draftby the Athletics again in the 13th round (348th overall) and the1990 MLB draftby theDetroit Tigersin the 28th round (742nd overall).

In 2009, Peete was inducted into the USC Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2014, he received the NCAA Silver Anniversary Award.

College statistics

USC Trojans
Season	GP	Passing							Rushing
		Cmp	Att	Pct	Yds	TD	Int	Rtg	Att	Yds	TD
1985	12	50	85	58.8	566	5	3	127.1	49	78	1
1986	12	160	305	52.5	2,138	10	15	112.3	103	124	3
1987	12	197	332	59.3	2,709	21	12	141.5	70	145	3
1988	12	223	359	62.1	2,812	18	12	137.8	68	68	5
Total	48	630	1,081	58.3	8,225	54	42	130.9	290	415	12

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables

Height	Weight	40-yard dash	10-yard split	20-yard split	20-yard shuttle	Vertical jump
6 ft0+1⁄2in (1.84 m)	195 lb (88 kg)	4.72 s	1.60 s	2.74 s	4.53 s	29.0 in (0.74 m)
All values from the NFL Combine

Detroit Lions

Peete was selected by theDetroit Lionsin the 6th round (141st overall) of the1989 NFL Draft,after dropping because he was not considered to have the size or the arm talent needed to succeed in theNFL.He also joinedBarry Sanderson the team.

As a rookie, Peete was scheduled to start the season opener, but sprained his knee in the final preseason game, against theLos Angeles Rams,missing the first three games of the season and being replaced withBob Gagliano.He would have been the first rookie quarterback to start for the Lions since 1968 whenGreg Landrystarted. Peete completed 17-of-31 for 268 yards, one passing touchdown, 10 carries for 78 yards, and one rushing touchdown in a 17-16 win against theTampa Bay Buccaneersthat earned him NFC Offensive Player-of-the-Week honors. He finished with eight starts, while completing 103-of-195 attempts for 1,479 yards and five passing touchdowns.

In1990,Peete registered 142-of-271 completions (52.4%) for 1,974 yards, 13 passing touchdowns, 48 carries for 365 yards (second on the team), and six rushing touchdowns. He ranked fifth in the NFC with 79.8 rating points and his interception percentage (3.0%) was the second lowest in franchise history. Peete had a career-high eight carries for 97 rushing yards, including 17-of-26 completions and one rushing touchdown in the third game against theTampa Bay Buccaneers.He suffered a pulled hamstring in the fourth game against theGreen Bay Packers,which forced him to miss the next two contests. Peete returned in the seventh game, against theNew Orleans Saints,contributing to a 27-10 win with 16-of-25 completions for 246 yards, one passing touchdown and 38 rushing yards. He suffered a left pulled hamstring in the next game against theWashington Redskins,leaving with a 35-21 lead that the team could not hold, losing 38-41 in overtime. Peete missed the next three contests and returned to action in the fourteenth game, against theChicago Bears,helping the team score 21 first quarter points (franchise record), while throwing a career-high four touchdowns.

In1991,Peete started the first eight games, before suffering a season ending Achilles tendon injury against theDallas Cowboys.Peete had guided the team to a 5-2 record. He had career-highs of 25-of-38 completions, to go with 271 yards and one passing touchdown in the 23-14 win against theGreen Bay Packers.He was replaced byErik Kramer,who led the team to the NFC Championship Game against theWashington Redskins.Peete was placed on theinjured reserve liston October 30.

In1992,Peete started 10 games, making 123-of-213 completions (57.7%) for 1,702 yards and nine passing touchdowns. In the fourth game, against theTampa Bay Buccaneers,he had 20-of-31 completions for 323 yards (career high) and one 78-yard touchdown pass. Peete passed for three touchdowns in the seventh game against theTampa Bay Buccaneers.

In1993,Peete had a career-high 62.3% completion percentage (second in franchise history), while starting 10 games. He suffered an injury in the third game that forced him to miss two contests. Peete still was able to lead the team to six wins in his first seven starts. Peete had 20-of-28 completions for 273 yards, scoring 17 fourth quarter points to overcome a 13-27 deficit and also completed a 93 yard touchdown pass (career high) in the eighth game, against theMinnesota Vikings.He was the team's third-string quarterback behind Kramer and formerHeisman TrophywinnerAndre Warefor the last four regular season games.

Dallas Cowboys

On May 3,1994,Peete signed as afree agentwith theDallas Cowboys,to replaceBernie KosarasTroy Aikman's backup.In the seventh game, against theArizona Cardinals,Aikman suffered a concussion on the first possession and Peete replaced him, throwing two touchdown passes in a 28-21 victory. In the eleventh game, against theWashington Redskins,he substituted an injured Aikman (sprained left knee), but suffered a sprained right thumb and also had to be replaced, with third-string quarterbackJason Garrettin the 31-7 win. In the thirteenth game, against thePhiladelphia Eagles,Peete started in place of an injured Aikman, tallying 172 passing yards, one touchdown and one interception in a 31-19 win. In the season finale against theNew York Giants,he entered the game with 4:49 minutes left in the first half, making 6-of-8 completions for 50 yards and no touchdowns in a 15-10 loss.

Philadelphia Eagles

On April 22,1995,Peete was signed as afree agentby thePhiladelphia Eagles.New head coachRay Rhodes,implemented theWest Coast offenseand named Peete the starter overquarterbackRandall Cunningham,after the team got off to a 1-3 start. He would go on to start in 12 games with a 9-3 record, posting 215-of-375 completions (57.3%) for 2,326 yards, eight touchdowns and 14 interceptions.

On March 14,1996,Peete re-signed with the Eagles.He lost his starting job toTy Detmer,after he tore his patella tendon. Peete started five games (3-2 record), making 80-of-134 completions (59.7%) for 992 yards, three touchdowns and five interceptions.

In1998,Bobby Hoyingwas named the starter and the team got off to a 1-6 start. The rest of the season,Koy Detmerand Peete split time at quarterback.

On April 28,1999,Peete was traded to theWashington Redskinsin exchange for a 2000 sixth round pick (#192-John Romero).

Washington Redskins

In1999,Peete was the back up quarterback behindBrad Johnson.He appeared in three games, collecting 8-of-17 completions (47.1%) for 107 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Peete became the first quarterback to throw a regular season pass for three differentNFC Eastclubs.

Oakland Raiders

On July 13,2000,Peete was signed by theOakland Raiders,reuniting with head coachJon Gruden,who was hisoffensive coordinatorwith the Eagles.He was the third-string quarterback behindRich GannonandBobby Hoying.Peete did not appear in any game.

On September 2,2001,Peete was released after being passed on the depth chart by rookieMarques Tuiasosopo.On September 29, he re-signed with the Raiders, after Hoying injured ligaments in his throwing elbow.Peete appeared in one game and did not register any statistics.

Carolina Panthers

On March 28, 2002, Peete was signed as afree agentby theCarolina Panthers.At 37 years old, Peete's career appeared to be over until he was named the starter overChris Weinke,leading the team to a 3–0 start and ultimately finishing with a 7–9 record, an improvement over 1–15 the year before.He registered career highs of 14 starts, 223-of-381 completions, 2,630 passing yards, 15 passing touchdowns, 14 interceptions and a passer rating of 77.4.

In2003,after a weak showing in the first half of the season opener against theJacksonville Jaguars,head coachJohn Foxreplaced Peete in the third quarter withJake Delhomme,who then led the Panthers to a comeback victory. Delhomme replaced Peete as starting quarterback for the rest of the season, leading the team to an 11–5 record and theSuper Bowl XXXVIIIgame against theNew England Patriots.

On February 28, 2005, Peete was released for salary cap reasons, but he chose to retire instead of re-signing with the Panthers for another season with a lower salary.Peete finished his career with the most NFL career passing yards among quarterbacks from USC, a record that was eventually eclipsed byCarson Palmer.

Peete finished his career with 1,344 completions in 2,346 attempts, for 16,338 passing yards, 76 passing touchdowns, 92 interceptions and a passer rating of 73.3.

Entertainment career

After his retirement from the NFL, Peete became one of the hosts of theFox Sports Networkssportstalk showThe Best Damn Sports Show PeriodalongsideJohn Salley,Chris Rose,andRob Dibble.In 2015, theOprah Winfrey Networkannounced that they were making a docuseries on Peete and his family.

Rodney Peete and his wife Holly Robinson Peete star inLipozenecommercials on television.

In 2019, Rodney Peete co-hosted the Hallmark Kitten Bowl.

Rodney Peete currently serves as co-host (alongside formerKNBCsportscasterFred Roggin) ofRoggin and Rodney,on Los Angeles sports radio stationKLACradio (570AM), focusing on Southern California sports.

Personal life

Rodney Peete with his wife Holly Robinson Peete in 2010

Peete has been married to actressHolly Robinson Peetesince 1995. They have four children. One of their children, Rodney Peete Jr., was diagnosed withautismat age three.He discusses his relationship with his autistic child in the June 2010 issue ofMen's Health.As of 2023, Rodney Peete Jr. is now working for the Dodgers.

Peete is the son of Willie Peete, formerrunning backs coachof theKansas City ChiefsandChicago Bears.His brother is NFL coachSkip Peete.He is the son-in-law of late actorMatt Robinson,and the cousin of the lateprofessional golferCalvin Peete.

See also

• Racial issues faced by black quarterbacks