Julian Thomas Peterson (born July 28, 1978 in Temple Hills, Maryland) is an American football player for the Seattle Seahawks. He signed with them after the San Francisco 49ers did not use the franchise tag and he became an unrestricted free agent. Peterson attended Michigan State University. He was drafted by the 49ers in the 1st round (16th overall) in the 2000 NFL Draft. Peterson is very explosive at the snap, gets to the edge in a hurry, and is a big hitter. An effective pass defender who can handle most tight ends, Peterson has great range and is a great player in the open field. He is most effective when rushing the passer, where he has shown a consistent ability to make plays. He is considered by many to be one of the top linebackers in football. In the past, he has had problems with injuries, as a torn achilles tendon forced him to miss the 2004 season. He has also been criticized for not playing well against the run. He is also known by nicknames such as "X" and "The Freak" for his amazing play.
