PRO: Peterman was re-signed to a five-year deal on February 17, 2009, solidifying four returning starters on the offensive line from 2008. Peterman will enter his fifth NFL season and third with the Lions. He first signed to Detroit's practice squad in 2006 and was promoted to the active roster for the team's final three games. The following year, Peterman was inserted into the starting lineup at right guard in Week 4 due to injuries and played himself into a full-time starting role. He has since started 27 games over the past two seasons, including 14 in 2008. In 2008, Peterman contributed to a Lions' running game that improved over the course of the season. Originally a 2004 third round draft choice (83rd overall) by the Dallas Cowboys, he saw time on the Cowboys special teams unit in three of the team's final games of the 2005 season. Peterman was placed on Reserve/Injured list after suffering torn knee ligaments in the final preseason game of the 2004 season. At LSU, he played in 48 games with 35 starts, playing both left and right guard after switching from defensive end, which he played as a freshman. Was an All-American his senior season and was twice named first-team All-Southeastern Conference in his junior and senior seasons, respectively.
MANE FACTS
- Helped deliver food and supplies to more than 30 Metro Detroit relief agencies at the United Way Hometown Huddle/Lift Up America event December 5 at Ford Field.
- Grew up a huge LSU and New Orleans Saints fan. His family had Saints season tickets and he attended every single home Saints game from birth to age 13, and he watched every away game with parents on TV. Proud to say he never missed a game!
- Favorite Saints players include: Ricky Jackson, Pat Swilling, Craig “Ironhead” Heyward, Sam Mills, Bobby Hebert and Dalton Hilliard.
- While with Dallas, despite an intense rehabilitation schedule for his knee Peterman got involved in the Dallas-Ft. Worth community. He attended a local Arlington (Texas) high school football game to present the Bank of America/Dallas Cowboys Coach of the Week award and $2000 grant.
- Set-up the Stephen Peterman Foundation to provide aid to disadvantaged children and to enhance the lives of terminally ill children in Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas.
- In the spring of 2005 and 2006, Peterman joined forces with fellow Louisiana State University (LSU) alumnus David Toms, a PGA Tour pro, to host the Stephen Peterman Foundation and David Toms Foundation Fort Worth Dinner in Fort Worth, Texas. Proceeds from the fundraising dinner benefited Happy Hill Farm Academy/Home (a residential school/farm where socially and academically disadvantaged youth are given a second chance to prepare for a productive future) and the David Toms Foundation.
- Shaves head before every game with a Mach 3 Bic razor, something he started as a sophomore at LSU.
2009: Team's starting right guard prior to suffering a foot injury at Minnesota (11/15).
- Started at right guard in season opener at New Orleans (9/13).
- Was part of an offensive line that allowed 129 rushing yards on 34 carries vs. Minnesota (9/20).
2008: Team’s starting right guard. Played in 14 games (14 starts).
- Inactive due to broken hand vs. Chicago (10/5) and at Minnesota (10/12).
- Returned to starting line-up at Houston (10/19).
- Started at right guard as the team accumulated a season-high 130 yards on the ground, including 112 by rookie RB Kevin Smith (first career 100-yard game).
- Member of unit that did not allow any sacks at Indianapolis (12/14).
2007: Moved up the depth chart to become the starting right guard for the final 13 games of the season.
- Inactive at Oakland (9/9), vs. Minnesota (9/16) and at Philadelphia (9/23).
- Started at right guard for an injured Damien Woody vs. Chicago (9/30), the third start of his career.
- Started at right guard at Washington (10/7).
- Paved the way for a Lions rushing attack that averaged 6.1 yards per carry (147 total rushing yards) against Tampa Bay.
- Part of a Lions line that powered a balanced attack, blocking the way to 246 net yards passing and 119 yards rushing (365 total yards) at Chicago (10/28).
- Blocked for a Lions ground game that piled up 130 yards on 29 carries (4.5 avg.) against Denver (11/4). Additionally, the line only allowed one sack on the day.
- Helped the Lions total 152 yards on the ground, a season high, in addition to three rushing touchdowns while allowing only one sack against Dallas (12/9).
- Part of an offensive line that did not allow a sack against San Diego (12/16).
- Contributed key blocking from the right guard spot as the offense totaled 137 yards rushing against Kansas City (12/23) while only allowing two sacks. Also paved way for T.J. Duckett’s 102-yard effort.
- Finished the season as the starting right guard at Green Bay (12/30).
2006: Played in three games, starting two, at guard for Detroit’s offensive line.
- Signed to the Lions practice squad October 17, 2006.
- Signed from the practice squad to the active roster on December 13, 2006.
- Saw time at RG at Green Bay (12/17) for his first action as a Lion.
- Made his first start as a Lion, and first of his career, at RG vs. Chicago (12/24).
- Helped the offense score a season-high 39 points behind 362 total yards in his second consecutive start at RG at Dallas (12/31).
2005: Peterman was on the practice field to start training camp after spending his rookie season rehabbing a torn ACL and MCL he suffered in his first training camp. He was inactive for the first 11 games of the season but cracked the game-day roster at the N.Y. Giants (12/4), making his NFL debut on special teams.
- He was inactive the next two weeks before playing on special teams at Carolina (12/24) and the season finale against St. Louis (1/1/06).
2004: Peterman tore the ACL and MCL in his right knee in the final preseason game against Kansas City (9/2) and was placed on injured reserve the next day. He underwent surgery on Sept. 7 to repair the injury and spent the entire season rehabilitating the injured knee.
COLLEGE: An All-America and All-Southeastern Conference first-team selection as a senior, Peterman was a team leader and anchor of an offensive line that helped lead the LSU Tigers to the SEC title and a win over Oklahoma in the Sugar Bowl to capture the 2003 national title.
- For his career, he appeared in 48 games at LSU, starting 35. He moved to right guard in his senior season, after starting 25 games over the previous two years at left guard, and allowed just one sack while playing a major role in leading an offense that averaged 418.4 yards-per-game.
- A first-team All-Southeastern Conference pick as a junior, Peterman started the entire season at left guard and allowed only one sack.
- The Tigers finished 8-5 overall, tying Arkansas for the SEC West Division title.
- Peterman started his collegiate career as a tight end and spent his freshman season at defensive end.
- He made the switch to offense as a sophomore and started all but one game at left guard during a very successful second season, allowing only one quarterback sack.
- He played a key role in the Tigers 10-3 season that featured a win over second ranked Tennessee in the SEC Championship Game and a 47-34 win over No. 7 Illinois in the Sugar Bowl.
PERSONAL: Peterman attended St. Stanislaus High School in Bay St. Louis, Miss.
- He was rated the 18th best player in Mississippi by Super Prep Magazine and was a first-team all-state selection and a two-time all-district choice.
- As a senior, Peterman caught 14 passes for 150 yards and one touchdown and was rated the best tight end in the state.
- He was selected for the Mississippi All-Star Game.
- He also played basketball in high school.
- Peterman majored in general studies at LSU.
- Despite an intense rehabilitation schedule for his knee, Peterman got involved in the Dallas-Ft. Worth community.
- He attended a local Arlington high school football game to present the Bank of America/Dallas Cowboys Coach of the Week award and $2000 grant.
- He also set-up the Stephen Peterman Foundation to provide aid to disadvantaged children and to enhance the lives of terminally ill children in Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas.
- In the spring of 2005 and 2006, Peterman joined forces with fellow Louisiana State University (LSU) alumnus David Toms to host the Stephen Peterman Foundation and David Toms Foundation Fort Worth Dinner in Fort Worth, Texas.
- Proceeds from the fundraising dinner benefited Happy Hill Farm Academy/Home - a residential school/farm where socially and academically disadvantaged youth are given a second chance to prepare for a productive future – and the David Toms Foundation.
- He is married to the former Colleen Scheyd, and the couple has three sons, Stephen Frederick Jr., Timmy and Gerard.