There’s always that one kid in the neighborhood who looks like he was built in a football lab. And Patrick Peterson was no stranger to this. While most teenagers were still figuring out their voice cracks, he was outlifting grown men and getting mistaken for a pro at high school workouts. But let’s be real—it wasn’t just the muscles or the speed. I mean, if football had a royal family, Peterson would surely be wearing the crown. The reason?

Well, the former Cardinals‘ cornerback was born into a lineage of NFL talent. Cousins like Santana Moss and Bryant McFadden had already paved the path. And in 2008, he made it official—ditching “Johnson” and taking on “Peterson,” embracing the name that matched the legacy he was born to carry. But one thing always remained a mystery. Is Patrick Peterson married? Well, let’s dive deep and learn more about Peterson’s personal life.

Who is Patrick Peterson’s wife?

Patrick Peterson is married to his long-time girlfriend, Antonique Peterson. The couple started dating during their time at LSU and tied the knot back in June 2012 after years of dating. By profession, Antonique is a physicist and earned her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree in 2018. And considering the NFL players face a lot of serious injuries and head trauma, Antonique’s decision to become a doctor surely sounds awesome.

And let’s just say her journey as a doctor is nothing but inspiring. “Heroes don’t always wear capes. Mine wears a white coat,” Peterson once captioned his IG post with a picture of his wife back in 2020. And why not? At that time, when the world was still suffering due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Antonique was in her second year of a family medicine residency at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Phoenix, and was working on the front lines against the virus.

But she’s not just limited to her hospital gig. Oh no. Besides caring for patients, Antonique has been grading her husband’s game performances and reviews her notes from the game with him after every single game that he appeared in. “She’s doing something great in her field, and she challenges me each and every Sunday to do well. She sends me speeches before every game, and afterward, she gives me a grade,” Peterson once quoted. No wonder Peterson is regarded as one of the best cornerbacks in the league.

Does the ex-Cardinals CB has children?

To answer whether Patrick Peterson has kids in one word—then yes. After tying the knot back in 2012, the Peterson household is now completed by the couple’s two children. Their eldest child—a daughter named Paityn Peterson was named after Antonique’s favorite quarterback—the Hall of Famer, Payton Manning. The interesting part?

Well, Patrick just couldn’t help himself but to thank the God when he found out that he was going to be a dad. “Once she told me I just dropped down on my knees and thanked the Man upstairs because it was definitely him who made this all possible,” he said back in 2016 during an interview with Life of Dad.

Besides, the couple also has a son named Parker Peterson. Patrick and Antonique welcomed their second child back in 2019, just months before the pandemic swept the world. A few months after Parker’s birth, Antonique was working on the front lines against the virus and no doubt she was going through an emotional ride. “I was nervous knowing that I had to come home to, at that point in time, it was a 3-month-old, a 4-year-old, my husband and then my mom is here with us, too,” she said back in 2020.

Patrick Peterson’s family and nationality

Peterson was born to Patrick Peterson Sr. and Shandra Peterson in Pompano Beach, Florida, USA. That said, it’s safe to say that the Peterson household is of American nationals. Patrick Sr. is a former athlete at Blanche Ely High School in Pompano Beach, Florida. However, during his high school days, Patrick Sr. was all set to chase those big-time athletic dreams until a heart murmur showed up and hit the brakes on everything.

But if you’re thinking that his athletic aspirations were halted just because of a heart murmur—think again. Patrick Sr. channeled his passion for sports as a coach and trained his son. And let’s just say the NFL legend had to train rigorously by his father. Take his high school’s sophomore year, for instance. Because that’s where his coaching got more serious. When Peterson’s GPA fell below the agreed-upon 2.5, Patrick Sr. benched him for the entire season to underscore the importance of academics.

On the other side, Peterson’s mom, Shandra, also played a key role in the CB’s upbringing. And we aren’t just talking about her son. Oh no. When Peterson’s LSU teammate, Tyrann Mathieu, was dismissed from the football program due to disciplinary issues, Shandra took care of him just like she did for her son. As for Patrick Sr., he coached both of ’em to prepare for the NFL combine.

Apart from his parents, Peterson also has a younger brother named Avery Peterson. Just like his brother, Avery also played football at LSU, but as a wide receiver. And while supporting his brother in every aspect of life, Patrick Peterson also gave him advice. “There are things I wish I could have done better in school,” Peterson said.

“But you don’t set your goals to be the next Patrick Peterson. Deion Sanders, I look up to Deion each and every way possible, but I want to be better than Deion Sanders. Is that going to happen? I don’t know. But my expectations are that high. I told my brother to have the same expectations. Don’t go there to be Patrick Peterson’s little brother. Be better than me.” All in all, no wonder Patrick Peterson’s career has been shaped by his family and their support.

Fast forward to now, and after playing 13 seasons in the NFL, one of the best CB’s in the league—Patrick Peterson has called it a career. Now, whether he’ll enter the coaching world or the broadcasting world, we need to wait a bit to find that out.