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NFL great Patrick Peterson has some simple advice for Caitlin Clark: Make them pay.
During the Fever’s 111-109 loss to the Phoenix Mercury on Wednesday, Clark was punched in the throat by Alyssa Thomas while lying on the court after a scrimmage. No foul was called at that time and Clark left the game due to injury.
Discussing the incident in a recent interview with PK Press Club Digital, Peterson said he thought Clark should respond by burying his opponents on the field.
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Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever plays against the Phoenix Mercury at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana on June 24, 2026. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
“When they compete, now you gotta put (belt on a…). You gotta prove it with your game. Now, now you understand I’m getting shot or whatever it may feel like, I’m getting a low blow now. I gotta get out here and bury these fools,” Peterson said. “Every time I see the Mercury show up on my schedule, it’s from the time the schedule is published.”
Peterson, who played in the NFL for 13 seasons and was named to the Pro Bowl eight times, said he would let his play do the talking on the field.
“That’s always been my mentality, because we can’t fight on the field. We can’t fight on the football field. We wear helmets. So what sense does that make? And the best way to shut someone up is to play,” Peterson said.
WHO IS ALYSSA THOMAS? WNBA STAR SUSPENDED FOR CUTTING CAITLIN CLARK IN THE THROAT
Caitlin Clark left the Indiana Fever’s Wednesday game against the Phoenix Mercury after suffering a back injury. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
The three-time All-Pro said Clark’s teammates can rally to defend Clark, but that could ultimately prove detrimental in the long run.
“At the end of the day, you have to move on, you know? I mean, we can walk into the locker room, and we can say ‘Hurray’ and say we’re going to do this, that and the other, but you just saw what (Alyssa Thomas) just got, a suspension. And now the money is coming out of your own pocket,” Peterson said.
Peterson was one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL during his 13-year career. Peterson was named to the NFL’s All-Decade team for the 2010s. In 201 career games, Peterson recorded 36 interceptions, 122 pass deflections, 652 total tackles and four sacks.
He spent the first 10 seasons of his career with the Arizona Cardinals, then two with the Minnesota Vikings before spending his final season with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He played from 2011 to 2023.
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Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas struggles to get up from Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark during a game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on June 24, 2026. The Phoenix Mercury defeated the Indiana Fever 111-109. (USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
The Fort Lauderdale, Fla., native will compete in the American Century Championship July 10-12 at Edgewood Golf Course in Lake Tahoe.
Peterson said the event has evolved tremendously over the years and is something his whole family enjoys.
“My daughters look forward to going to Lake Tahoe every year, not only to walk with Dad, but also to get out on the lake,” Peterson said. “Going to the top of the mountain and zip lining and things like that. So the memories they’re able to create for the families involved are endless.”
Peterson is using AI to improve his golf game and prepare for the American Century Championship.
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Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson laughs after a flag was thrown at him during the second half against the Seattle Seahawks at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. (Rob Schumacher/The Republic/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
“I use this app called Performance Golf. It’s basically an app that you can download to your phone, and you can basically have an AI coach,” Peterson said.
“You can film yourself, you can use any club, any swing, putter, wedge, chip, pitch, driver, irons, whatever you need that you need help with or want to see better results with, you can film yourself, submit the video, and then what will happen is the AI trainer will tell you what your flaw is that you need to work on to get better results. And I’ve been using it for four months and it has tremendously helped my game.”
