Peete, Lions Reach an Agreement

Former USC quarterback Rodney Peete has reached an agreement with the Detroit Lions Wednesday and, for now, will pass on a baseball career.

Peete, who participated in the Lions’ minicamp in May, was Detroit’s sixth-round draft choice in February. He was also drafted by the Oakland Athletics in June, despite sitting out his last season of eligibility in baseball at USC last spring.

Peete flew to Detroit Wednesday and will be in uniform for the beginning of the Lions’ training camp Saturday.

After reaching an impasse in negotiations two weeks ago, Peete became more valuable when Detroit failed to draft either Steve Walsh of Miami or Timm Rosenbach of Washington State in the NFL’s supplemental draft last Monday.

“Rodney can now fully concentrate on football,” Peete’s agent, Leonard Armato, said. “I am sure that the Lions will give him a fair shot. We are glad to get it settled, and now Rodney can get on with his career.”

Details of the agreement were not available.