Former LSU and current Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson made a massive donation to the university Saturday, according to a statement released by LSU Communications Director Michael Bonnette.
The two-time All-Pro donated $1 million to the school, $500,000 in cash with another $500,000 in planned giving. The new weight room at the Football Operations Building will be renamed "The Peterson-Roberts Weight Room," after Peterson and local businessman Dave Roberts, who made a $1 million donation for the weight room as part of the Peterson Promise, a fund established by the Peterson family.
"I want to set an example and challenge other former players to give back to our great university," Peterson said. "LSU is a wonderful place that helped me develop into the person that I am today. I hope that my donation will encourage and inspire other former student-athletes to give back."
Peterson won the Bednarik and Thorpe awards in 2010 as a Tiger and was the fifth overall pick by the Cardinals in the 2011 NFL Draft. Athletic director Joe Alleva said Peterson is a great ambassador for LSU and a "tremendous role model" for current players.
"We are very proud and appreciative of Patrick and his family for this amazing gift," Alleva said. "Patrick is a great ambassador for LSU and a serves as a tremendous role model for our players."We watch him on Sunday's in the NFL with great pride knowing that he's part of the LSU family. This gift demonstrates Patrick's commitment to his school and the passion that he has for LSU. We are very fortunate to have Patrick Peterson on our team."
