TEMPE, Ariz. -- Arizona Cardinals Pro Bowl cornerback Patrick Peterson discussed the effect a diabetes diagnosis had on him last season in an extensive interview with The Arizona Republic on Monday, saying "no question it made a big difference" but that he now had the condition under control.
Peterson said blood sugar issues impacted him early in the 2014 season, when he made his fourth straight Pro Bowl after intercepting three passes and recording his second career sack. He also finished with 50 tackles.
"Yeah, it did," he said. "I'd rather not go into deep detail about that. It was a situation that occurred during the season. The team docs found it and got it all under wraps."
Peterson said once the Cardinals' medical staff figured out what the root of his issues was, they "wrangled it and we moved forward from it."
He expanded on his condition in an additional tweet Tuesday.
"I want to take a moment to address the media reports this morning regarding my health," Peterson said. "While I did have abnormal sugar levels, I've been working with doctors on a strategic meal plan and workout routine that are reversing these symptoms. I'm grateful that this has been reversible for me and my health is back to normal. Thanks everyone for their concern and well wishes! Now back to my workouts and getting ready for the upcoming season!"
Peterson's diabetes initially came to light at the NFL combine in February when Cardinals coach Bruce Arians told Pro Football Talk that Peterson was "battling some blood issues." Arians said then that Peterson was "borderline" diabetic.
The condition was under control by October, Arians said, as Peterson learned how to manage it and eat properly.
"I am a diabetic," Peterson said. "Let's just keep it that way."