Born in Yakima, Washington, Pelluer attended Mead High School north of Spokane, then moved in 1975 with his family to Bellevue, a suburb east of Seattle.
After graduation in 1977, Pelluer accepted a scholarship from Washington State University in Pullman, where he was a four-year starter at defensive end and outside linebacker.
At the time, he was assisting with spring football practice at Weber State in Ogden, Utah, under first-year head coach Mike Price.
[4] On September 1, 1981, Pelluer was signed as a free agent by the New Orleans Saints, where he was a backup outside linebacker under head coach Bum Phillips.
[8] In 1999, he joined the private sector to work for a sports Internet firm, while also being the color commentator on Washington State's football radio broadcasts.
[10][11][12][13] His widow Jodee (née Gustafson) later married Jim Harryman and the family moved to the Seattle area in 1975 so the boys could play football at Interlake under head coach Rollie Robbins, a friend of Arnie's.