A native of New Orleans, Louisiana, Petitbon was a three-sport star in baseball, basketball, and football at Jesuit High School.

He was named the Louisiana All-State Most Valuable Player in football in 1946, and led Jesuit with 18 touchdowns in 1946 and 17 in 1947.

Moved to halfback for his final two years, he amassed 1,432 yards of total offense and 10 touchdowns during those seasons, and was named a Collier's Weekly All-American in 1950.

[2] Petitbon was selected as a defensive back in the seventh round of the 1952 NFL draft by the New York Yanks, who became the Dallas Texans for the 1952 season.

[3] Petitbon, however, joined the United States Marine Corps and served in the Korean War.