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Overview
Brandon Pettigrew is a tight end for the Detroit Lions, who selected him with the 20th overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft. Pettigrew played college football at Oklahoma State University for four seasons. Pettigrew is 6-feet, 6-inches tall and weighs 260 pounds.
Prep Career
Pettigrew was a tight end and defensive lineman at Lee High School in Tyler, TX, where he was primarily used as a blocker on offense. Despite his limited statistics, Pettigrew was pegged as a Division I prospect during his senior season. He signed with Oklahoma State following that season, making him the fifth player from his high school to sign with a Division I team.
Freshman Year
Pettigrew was redshirted in the 2004 season, and made his debut in 2005 in Oklahoma State's season opener against Montana State. He caught one pass for 17 yards in that game, but was held off the stat sheet in the next two games. He didn't catch a touchdown until the Cowboys second-to-last game of the season against Baylor. Pettigrew finished the season with 11 receptions for 128 yards, starting nine of Oklahoma State's 11 games.
Sophomore Year
As a sophomore, Pettigrew finished third on the team with 24 receptions, 310 yards and four touchdowns. He had his first career multi-TD game in Oklahoma State's blowout win against Baylor. He led the team with four receptions for 65 yards in the Independence Bowl, a win over Alabama.
Junior Year
Pettigrew continued to improve as a junior, racking up 35 receptions -- more than the previous two seasons combined. He once again ranked third on the team in receptions (35), yards (540) and touchdowns (4). Pettigrew had a career-high seven receptions in the season opener against Georgia, and topped that two months later, with eight catches in a loss to Texas. He was held without a reception against Oklahoma, ending a streak of 13 consecutive games with a reception.
Arrest
In January of 2008, Pettigrew was arrested on charges of assault and public intoxication. Police responded to an altercation at a residence in Stillwater, OK. When asked to leave, Pettigrew refused and elbowed an officer in the chest. Pettigrew pleaded guilty to a lesser charge (misdemeanor assault and battery) in return for fines paid and 20 hours of community service. He also pleaded guilty to misdemeanor public intoxication in the incident and was fined $100. He received a deferred sentence and won't have a criminal record if he successfully completes probation. Coach Mike Gundy declined to suspend Pettigrew, who considered entering the NFL's supplemental draft, but instead chose to return to Oklahoma State.
Senior Year
In his final college season, Pettigrew set a career high with 42 receptions, despite missing four games with a sprained ankle. He suffered the injury in the second game of the season against Houston and missed the next four games. He returned for limited action against Baylor, then led the Cowboys with eight receptions a week later against Texas. He finished the regular season with 36 receptions for 421 yards, but was held out of the end zone for the first season in his career. Pettigrew capped off his career by catching six passes for 51 yards in Oklahoma State's Holiday Bowl loss to Oregon.
NFL Draft Prep
After the 2008 season, Pettigrew was invited to the 2009 Senior Bowl, where he started at tight end for the North Team. Pettigrew participated in the 2009 NFL Scouting Combine, but was unable to participate in Oklahoma State's Pro Day, due to an injured hamstring.
NFL Career
Pettigrew was selected in the first round (20th overall) of the 2009 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions. On the first day of training camp, Pettigrew signed a five-year/$14.6M contract with $9.4M in guaranteed money.
After being held without a catch in his NFL debut, Pettigrew caught at least 2 passes in each of the next four games. He caught his first touchdown pass in Week 9 against the Seahawks, and caught the game-winning touchdown with no time left on the clock in Week 11 against the Browns. Pettigrew suffered a knee injury in the Lions annual Thanksgiving Day game, and was placed on injured reserve on Dec. 1, 2009.
After being held without a catch in his NFL debut, Pettigrew caught at least 2 passes in each of the next four games. He caught his first touchdown pass in Week 9 against the Seahawks, and caught the game-winning touchdown with no time left on the clock in Week 11 against the Browns. Pettigrew suffered a knee injury in the Lions annual Thanksgiving Day game, and was placed on injured reserve on Dec. 1, 2009.
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