P2 rocks Pat Tillman Cardinals jersey at WM Open Pro-Am

Jan 29, 2020, 1:54 PM | Updated: Jan 30, 2020, 3:11 pm

Patrick Peterson always knows how to play to the crowd.

Last year, the Arizona Cardinals cornerback grabbed the microphone at the 16th hole of the Waste Management Phoenix Open Pro-Am. He apologized for requesting a trade out of Arizona, ending his brief statement with a mic-drop: “I’m here to stay, baby.”

No need for such apologies this year.

He stepped up to the tee box Wednesday at the Pro-Am wearing a Pat Tillman No. 40 jersey and kept it on as he moved through the course at TPC Scottsdale.

Patrick Peterson rocking the Pat Tillman jersey at #PeoplesOpen Pro-AM #AZFamily pic.twitter.com/qwTrYRZ4S7

— Mark McClune (@MarkMcClune) January 29, 2020

Nice shot Patrick Peterson @P2 pic.twitter.com/RddwizpVbR

— Joyce Hart (@JoyHar55) January 29, 2020

Tillman, of course, is the Arizona State Sun Devil product and former Cardinals safety from 1998-2001 who left the NFL to serve for the Army Rangers. In 2004, he was killed in a friendly fire accident in Afghanistan at the age of 27.

In past years, it’s been ASU pro golfer Jon Rahm who has supported Tillman — just with the late Sun Devil’s No. 42 maroon and gold jersey rather than the No. 40 Cardinal red one.

Peterson continued the trend this year.

Although the nine-year NFL pro missed six games of the season due to a PED suspension and struggled to find his footing, he finished the year strong for the Cardinals in 2019.

Peterson, 30, finished 2019 with 53 tackles, one interception, plus a forced fumble and sack. He added seven passes defensed for Arizona, finishing the season stronger than he began it.

The eight-time Pro Bowler is entering a contract year in 2020. He will make a base salary of $12.1 million with bonuses before becoming a free agent before the 2021 season.

PGA pro C.T. Pan hits driver off of No. 18 during Round 1 of the Waste Management Phoenix Open, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2020, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports)

A look at the 18th hole during Round 1 of the Waste Management Phoenix Open, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2020, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports)

Round 1 of the Waste Management Phoenix Open kicked off Thursday, Jan. 30, 2020, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports)

PGA pro Martin Trainer reads a putt during Round 1 of the Waste Management Phoenix Open, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2020, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports)

A look at the ninth hole during Round 1 of the Waste Management Phoenix Open, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2020, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports)

PGA pro Webb Simpson reads the green during Round 1 of the Waste Management Phoenix Open, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2020, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports)

PGA pro Jon Rahm walks off the tee box of No. 17 during Round 1 of the Waste Management Phoenix Open, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2020, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports)

PGA pro Sung Kang reacts after making a putt during Round 1 of the Waste Management Phoenix Open, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2020, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports)

PGA pro Troy Merritt hits a tee shot on No. 16 during Round 1 of the Waste Management Phoenix Open, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2020, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports)

PGA pro Matt Kuchar walks to the first tee during Round 1 of the Waste Management Phoenix Open, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2020, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports)

PGA pro Justin Thomas wears a Kobe Bryant Lower Merion High School basketball jersey on No. 16 during Round 1 of the Waste Management Phoenix Open in Scottsdale, Ariz. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports)

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