Steelers' Patrick Peterson Offers Genuine Reason For Giving Up The First Touchdown Of 2023

Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback, Patrick Peterson decided he wanted to do something special to mark the occasion of playing in his first game in black and gold against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 1. Unfortunately for the veteran, his ceremonial new cleats let him down. He fell in the end zone while trying to cover 49ers receiver Brandon Aiyuk and Brock Purdy made an easy touchdown throw to his wide open receiver. 

Peterson had a discussion with his cousin Bryant McFadden about doing something special with his footwear prior to the home opener. Peterson had also made a proclamation in the lead-up to the game that he would get an interception off Purdy because he had a tell. On an episode of their podcast, All Things Covered, while reviewing the Week 1 game, Peterson addressed his bold proclamation. He also touched on if after slipping on the play to allow the score, he would be doing anything different moving forward. 

"I only slipped that one time," Peterson clarified. "I changed [my cleats] right away. I had brought another pair just in case."  

Peterson didn't do any bad-mouthing of the first pair that cost him the touchdown, but said that he went right back to the old faithful Nike Vapor cleats he said he's had since 2015. McFadden said he knew immediately after the play happened that Peterson would be changing his shoes before he got back onto the field again. He said that he had warmed up prior to the game in the new mystery shoes, but hadn't been using them in the practices leading up to the game on Sunday. 

The other factor that he and McFadden thought could've played a part in a slippery end zone was the fact that the University of Pittsburgh had played on the same field the day before. While it certainly doesn't help conditions to have games on back-to-back days, Peterson had the most glaring slip on Sunday, which was probably more due to his footwear than weather or field conditions. 

Steelers Legendary Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger Comes To Peterson's Defense

Longtime Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and his podcast partner Spencer Te'o broke down the Steelers' loss on episode 34 of the Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger podcast. The 18-year NFL veteran defended Peterson for both of the touchdowns that he ended up allowing in the contest to Aiyuk.

Roethlisberger explained, like Peterson did, that he had slipped on the play. He said that if Peterson hadn't fallen down, he would've been in a position to at least try to make a play. Unfortunately, he couldn't. He didn't really blame Peterson at all for the play. 

On the second touchdown, in the photo above, Roethlisberger gave credit to Purdy and Aiyuk for making a heck of a play against some unbelievable coverage by the veteran cornerback. 

"It was a great throw and a great catch," he said. "He [Peterson] is all over him and that's not on Peterson at all." 

Roethlisberger concluded that he thought Peterson played a great game, and that he will be a big help to the defense moving forward as they try and move past a tough season opener. 

Peterson saw the field a lot in his Steelers debut. He was on for 99% of the team's defensive snaps and also was featured on 31% of the special teams snaps according to Pro Football Reference. He was playing outside corner in his first outing and it will be interesting to see if that trend continues, as the team raved in the offseason after acquiring him about his ability to play different spots in the secondary.   

What did you think of Peterson's play in Week 1? Would you use him as an outside corner moving forward? Comment below!

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