Marcus Peters

Marcus Peters's Biography

Born on January 9, 1993, Marcus Peters is a vastly celebrated American football cornerback. To date, Peters is a free agent, but his illustrious career includes playing for leading National Football League (NFL) teams such as the Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Rams, Baltimore Ravens, and Las Vegas Raiders. He got his start in football during his college years, playing for the Washington Huskies.

Beyond football, Peters spent his youth as a track athlete while attending and graduating from McClymonds High School in Oakland, California. On the field, Peters gained recognition as a cornerback where he achieved seven interceptions and scored six touchdowns as a multi-faceted senior player, embracing wide receiver and kicker roles. He guided the Warriors to the school’s first perfect 12–0 record, a feat that earned him the title of Most Valuable Player in the Oakland Athletic League.

As a sprinter in track and field, Peters was equally accomplished, claiming victories in the 100-meter and 200-meter events at the league championships as a senior. A three-star recruit from Rivals.com, Peters was noted as the 30th best cornerback in his class and committed to the University of Washington in January 2011.

Part of the university’s football set-up, Peters was sidelined as a redshirt freshman in 2011 but then quickly found his feet. Notably, in his sophomore year in 2013, Peters started in virtually all games, securing five interceptions, 55 tackles, and a sack. However, a suspension and subsequent dismissal for disciplinary issues in his junior year in 2014 led Peters to leave college football to enter the 2015 NFL draft.

Extensively scouted by several NFL teams before the draft, Peters was projected to be a first or second-round pick. His skills were affirmed by reputable publications such as Sports Illustrated, which ranked him as the second-best cornerback in the draft. He was also regarded highly by NFL analysts Mike Mayock, Charles Davis, and DraftScout.com.

Peters was enlisted as the third cornerback by the Chiefs in the first round of the NFL draft in 2015. This decision made him the highest defensive back drafted from Washington since Dana Hall in 1992. His first four-year contract with the Chiefs was valued at $9.58 million, with signing bonuses of $5.23 million.

Peters made a striking debut to his NFL career, feeling at home in the Chiefs’ cornerback setup from his very first game. He became known as a tenacious player, with various interceptions, pass deflections, tackles, and touchdowns recorded in his rookie season alone.

The rookie season ended with Peters receiving several accolades including second-team All-Pro, Associated Press Defensive Rookie of the Year, and a place in the PFWA All-Rookie Team. Peters’ impressive performance also landed him a 65th place finish in the NFL Top 100 Players in 2016.

Peters had a resounding start to his second season with substantial tackles and defensive contributions. He continued his rapid ascent in the NFL with a Pro Bowl selection and first-team All-Pro honor. His success continued and, with superb performances in the subsequent season, he was named as the 17th best-graded cornerback by Pro Football Focus.

However, disciplinary issues once again reared their head, culminating in Peters being suspended after an episode involving throwing a penalty flag into the crowd. Despite this setback, Peters finished the season strong, leading the Chiefs in interceptions for the third consecutive season. In March 2018, the Chiefs traded Peters to the Los Angeles Rams where he continued to excel and led the team to the Super Bowl.

Peters’ journey continued when he was subsequently traded to the Baltimore Ravens in 2019. Success followed him here as well with remarkable interceptions and touchdowns. In recognition of his contribution, the Ravens offered Peters a contract extension: a three-year, $42-million deal. This remarkable journey demonstrates Peters’s enduring dominance in the professional football arena, making him a standout player indeed. Marcus Peters, through turbulent times and resounding success, has proven himself a stalwart in the world of American athletics, solidifying a legacy that will undoubtedly inspire future generations of football players.