Ex-Patriots wide receiver David Patten dead at 47
Tragedy has struck the NFL player brotherhood, as former Patriots wide receiver David Patten is dead at age 47.
According to the US Sun, former New England Patriots wide receiver David Patten passed away Thursday at the age of 47. Other reporters have confirmed the news, as tributes from former teammates and coaches have come in.
Rest in Power to my former teammate, one of the best men I’ve ever known….prayers to David Patten’s family 🙏🏿 #Patriots pic.twitter.com/jNcfo3VmUg
— Damien Woody (@damienwoody) September 3, 2021
Shocked and saddened about the sudden tragic death of David Patten. Excellent player, even better person. Family guy, team guy, devout Christian. Prayers all directed this way. RIP David. You will be sorely missed.
— Charlie Weis (@charlieweissr) September 3, 2021
heartbroken 💔 great man of God… lost for words - David Patten… 🙏 pic.twitter.com/DOMWJqjoBv
— Richard Seymour (@BigSey93) September 3, 2021
It’s unclear up to this point how Patten died. But according to the Sun, a Twitter user claiming to be his cousin said he may have died in a motorcycle accident. A fan suggested on Twitter that he was at an autograph signing recently and he was also recently photographed holding a Patriots’ helmet.
David Patten won three Super Bowls with the Patriots
After going undrafted out of Western Carolina in 1996 and spending that season with the Albany Firebirds in the Arena Football League, Patten landed in the NFL with the New York Giants in 1997. After three seasons there and one with the Cleveland Browns, the defining move of his career came when he landed with the Patriots in 2001.
Patten topped 700 yards with at least four touchdowns in three of his four seasons in New England. The Patriots also won Super Bowls XXXVI, XXVIII and XXXIX during his time with the team.
Tom Curran of NBC Sports Boston re-shared a story written about Patten’s do-it-all performance against the Colts in Week 6 of the 2001 season.
David Patten does it all as Patriots rout Colts https://t.co/kbmFliumNM. A story on David Patten’s monumental Week 6 game against the Colts written by another wonderful person gone too soon, Nick Cafardo.
— Tom E. Curran (@tomecurran) September 3, 2021
RIP to David Patten, who was an immeasurably clutch player for the Patriots that caught the first postseason TD pass of Tom Brady’s career.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) September 3, 2021
On October 21, 2001 he became the first player since 1979 to catch, run and throw for a TD all in the same game.
Gone too soon. https://t.co/rGaQGckZSW
Patten spent two seasons with the Washington Redskins (2005, ’06) and two with the New Orleans Saints (2007, ’08) to end his career. Given the path he took, from undrafted out of a very small college to the Arena League, he defied the odds by sticking around for 12 seasons in the NFL. He had just turned 47 on Aug. 19.
Thoughts and prayers to his family, friends and former teammates.
Next. 3 free agent fits for the Seahawks. dark