Professional football player Brandon Pettigrew was drafted 20th overall in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions.TulsaWorld.com: Lions take OSU's Pettigrew with 20th pick in draft (April 25, 2009)Prior to being drafted, Pettigrew played for the Oklahoma State Cowboys.

In early 2008, Pettigrew was arrested and charged with felony assault and battery on a police officer during an altercation in Stillwater, Oklahoma. He plead guilty to the lesser charge of misdemeanor assault and battery and public intoxication and was ordered to pay fines, complete community service and was placed on probation for one year. Despite pressure from the press, Pettigrew's coach, Mike Gundy, refused to suspend him Nola.com: ...Oklahoma State's Brandon Pettigrew has look of NFL tight end (April 15, 2009) ESPN: Brandon Pettigrew CBS Sports: Brandon Pettigrew