Longtime NFL QB Rodney Peete found success on, off the field
DETROIT (BVM) — Former NFL quarterback Rodney Peete had quite a career in the league. He would make six stops in 16 years playing at the highest level. He even landed a Hollywood starlet along the way. Here is a look back at his playing days as well as an answer to the question: Where is Peete today?
From Arizona to USC
The Mesa, Arizona native attended Sahuaro High School in Tucson. In his sophomore year, Peete earned first-team all-state honors as a wide receiver. To add, he took Sahuaro to state titles in baseball and basketball. Peete shined in both 1982 Arizona high school finals for his school. That would be a banner year for him.
Soon after, the Peete family moved to Kansas. Rodney’s dad took a job as an assistant coach with the Kansas City Chiefs. As a senior, he switched to Shawnee Mission South in Overland Park, KS.
Peete went on to play quarterback for the University of Southern California. He played for the Trojans from 1985 until 1988. In 1987, he led the Pac-10 in passing TDs (21) and total yards (2,854). In addition, he won the 1988 Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year. Plus he added the 1988 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award.
Rodney was the runner-up for the 1988 Heisman Trophy. He threw for 8,225 yards and 54 TDs over his college career. Then it was on to the NFL.
NFL career
Peete was picked in the sixth round (141st overall) of the 1989 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions. He spent four seasons with the Lions and passed for 8,164 yards and 38 TDs during that time.
In the spring of 1994, he signed a deal with the Dallas Cowboys. A year later he agreed to terms with the Philadelphia Eagles. Peete stayed with Philly until April 1999 then got shipped to the Redskins for a late-round pick. In 2001, he landed with the Oakland Raiders.
In March 2002, he joined the Carolina Panthers. He remained with them until early 2005. His playing career would conclude at that point. Peete tossed for a total of 16,338 yards with 76 TDs throughout his NFL career.
Doug Pizac – Detroit Lions quarterback Rodney Peete (9), formerly of USC, looks for an open receiver under pressure by Los Angeles Rams linebacker Kevin Greene in the first quarter at Anaheim Stadium, Sept. 2, 1989. (AP Photo/Doug Pizac) pic.twitter.com/CiNVHD4oJ3
— Erik Ho (@EHoinSDLVLA) July 18, 2020
Post-NFL life
In the mid-1990s, he wed actress Holly Robinson. They have been married for more than 25 years and have four children. They have done a couple of reality shows, including “For Peete’s Sake” and most recently, “Meet the Peetes.” They are settled in the Los Angeles area.
Two major causes are near and dear to the family. They established the HollyRod Foundation as a non-profit organization supporting those with autism and Parkinson’s disease. Their son R.J. has lived a successful life with autism and serves as an inspiration for others like him.
Aside from that, Rodney has found a successful second act in sports talk radio. As part of “Roggin and Rodney” with host Fred Roggin, their show appears on 570 AM L.A. Sports.
Even today, he’s not far from the action.
