Julian Peterson was an All-Pro NFL LB; Where is he now?
EAST LANSING, Mich. (BVM) – Former Michigan State and NFL linebacker Julian Peterson has stepped away from the spotlight. Some may wonder just what he’s been up to. Here is a look at what’s been going on with Peterson since he retired from the NFL over a decade ago.
His trip takes a detour
Peterson left his mark on the football program at MSU. The 6-foot-3, 240-pound powerhouse played only two seasons there but made them count. He would become one of the greatest to don the green and white.
After finishing at Crossland high school, the Maryland native took a two-year detour to Valley Forge Military Academy. There he focused on improving his test scores and got immersed in the discipline-heavy routine of the military.
And he continued honing his skills on the gridiron. Peterson posted 19 ½ sacks in his first season at Valley Forge. He even topped that number in year two. Meanwhile, Michigan State still had him in its sights. The pairing turned out to be a perfect match. In 1998, he landed in East Lansing to play for Coach Nick Saban.
From Michigan State to NFL star
Peterson starred for the Spartans on defense. He racked up 25 sacks and 48 tackles for loss in two years. His junior year featured an outstanding effort with four sacks and a forced fumble to help topple No. 1 Ohio State.
The following year, he scored 15 sacks and 30 tackles for loss. And he recorded six forced fumbles. Plus he added a Citrus Bowl MVP in his final collegiate game with five tackles for loss in the Spartans’ win over Florida.
This week's Spartan Legend, Julian Peterson, ruined a lot of people's days during his career! #TheBestStartHere #GoGreen pic.twitter.com/IqzrigCnHs
— Michigan State Football (@MSU_Football) November 10, 2017
His terrific play drew attention from the NFL. San Francisco selected him 16th overall in the first round of the 2000 NFL Draft. He stayed with the 49ers for six seasons, earning AP first-team All-Pro honors in 2003.
In the offseason between 2005 and 2006, the Seattle Seahawks signed him as a free agent. He remained in the Emerald City until March 2009 when they dealt him to the Detroit Lions.
Peterson played his final two years with the Lions. He tallied five Pro Bowl appearances in all.
Post-NFL life
Then he shifted his focus to life after football.
Peterson and his wife were incorporated under the name For Pete’s Sake, LLC. In 2015, they opened two Jamba Juice stores in the Atlanta area (Atlanta, Decatur), with plans to open four more by 2019.
In 2018, the Petersons sold their north Atlanta home. Julian, his wife Aimee and four sons built a new residence in Potomac, Maryland to be near family. They kept a place down in Atlanta and retained the local Jamba Juice outlets.
In addition, he went back to school in the fall of 2016. Peterson returned to complete his bachelor’s degree in communications at Michigan State. During that time, he became an invaluable resource on the sidelines for the Spartans.
By all indications, they are leading a quiet life outside the public eye.
