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NFL great Patrick Peterson has some simple advice for Caitlin Clark: Make them pay.
During the Fever’s 111-109 loss to the Phoenix Mercury on Wednesday, Clark was punched in the throat by Alyssa Thomas while lying on the court after a scrum. No fouls were called at that point and Clark left the game due to injury.
Discussing the incident in a recent interview with Pakinomist Digital, Peterson said he believes Clark needs to respond by burying his opponents on the field.
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Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever plays against the Phoenix Mercury at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana on June 24, 2026. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
“When they play each other, now you have to put (belt to a–). You have to prove it with your game. Now you understand that I’m getting a cheap shot, or however she feels, I’m getting a cheap shot now. I’ve got to go out here and bury these fools,” Peterson said. “Every time I see Mercury appear on my chart, it’s on from when the chart comes out.”
Peterson, who played in the NFL for 13 seasons and was named to the Pro Bowl eight times, said he wants to let his play do the talking on the field.
“That’s always been my mentality, because we can’t fight on the field. We can’t fight on the football field. We got helmets on. So what’s the point? And the best way to shut somebody up is with your game,” Peterson said.
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Caitlin Clark left the Indiana Fever’s Wednesday game against the Phoenix Mercury after suffering a back injury. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
The three-time All-Pro said Clark’s teammates may get fired up for defending Clark, but that could ultimately end up being detrimental in the long run.
“At the end of the day, you’ve got to move on from it, you know? I mean, we can get in the locker room and we can say ‘hooray’ and say we’re going to do this, that and the other, but you just saw what (Alyssa Thomas) just got, a suspension. And then now there’s money coming out of your own pocket,” Peterson said.
Peterson was one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL during his 13-year career. Peterson was named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team for the 2010s. In 201 career games, Peterson recorded 36 interceptions, 122 pass breakups, 652 total tackles and four sacks.
He spent the first 10 seasons of his career with the Arizona Cardinals, then two with the Minnesota Vikings before spending his final season with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He played from 2011-2023.
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Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas struggles to get above Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark during a game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on June 24, 2026. The Phoenix Mercury defeated the Indiana Fever 111-109. (USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
The Fort Lauderdale, Fla., native will play in the American Century Championship from July 10-12 at Edgewood Golf Course in Lake Tahoe.
Peterson said the event has grown tremendously over the years and said it’s something his whole family enjoys.
“My girls look forward to going to Lake Tahoe every single year to not only hike with dad, but to go out on the lake,” Peterson said. “Go on top of the mountain and do the zipline and stuff like that. So the memories that they’re able to create for the families that are involved are countless.”
Peterson is using artificial intelligence to help improve his golf game and prepare for the American Century Championship.
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Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson laughs after a flag was thrown at him in the second half against the Seattle Seahawks at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. (Rob Schumacher/The Republic/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
“I use this app called Performance Golf. It’s basically an app that you can download on your phone and you can basically have an AI coach,” Peterson said.
“You can video yourself, you can use any club, any swing, putter, wedge, chip, pitch, driver, iron, whatever you need that you need help with or want to see better results in, you can video yourself, submit the video, and then the AI trainer will tell you what your mistake is, what you need to work on to get better results using it for the last four months, and I’ve been tremendously helpful.”
