Early years

Petersen attended Lutheran High School North in St. Louis, Missouri. He accepted a scholarship from the University of Missouri where he was a two year starter at defensive end, before being moved to defensive tackle as a senior, when he was also selected as a team co-captain.

Professional career

Petersen was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth round of the 1980 NFL Draft. As a rookie the offense needed help and like defensive players Blaine Nye and Pat Donovan before him, he was switched to the offensive line.

In 1981 he was named the starting right guard, after Robert Shaw went down with a career ending knee injury that required previous starter Tom Rafferty to play center. Although he was still developing as an offensive guard, he received second-team All-Pro honors in 1982.

On August 19, 1986, he was placed on the injured reserve list after suffering a serious left knee injury that would eventually forced him into early retirement. He was again placed on the injured reserve list on September 1, 1987, for a second year in a row with the same injury.

After not being able to fully recover, he retired on February 2, 1988.

Personal life

Petersen currently works as a Financial Advisor.

[ Source: Wikipedia ]