Former New England Patriots wide receiver David Patten, who was a key leader on the franchise’s three championship teams in the early 2000s, has died at the age of 47.
Word of Patten’s death spread across social media on Friday, as his cousin initially broke the news that Patten allegedly died in a motorcycle accident:
Many around the NFL world posted about Patten and his legacy, including former teammate Richard Seymour:
Patten performed at his best on the biggest stage during his first season with the Patriots in particular, and was a reliable target for Tom Brady early in the quarterback’s career in clutch situations.
Zack Cox of NESN highlighted some of Patten’s most notable accomplishments during the Patriots’ first Super Bowl run, which they ultimately capped off by knocking off the heavily favored Rams:
Patten played four seasons for the Patriots from 2001 through 2004, and continued his career with subsequent two-year stints for Washington and New Orleans. He wasn’t on an active roster in 2009, and signed with New England in early 2010, but retired in July of that same year before the season began.
Prior to putting his name in the playoff record books, Patten went undrafted in 1996 out of Western Carolina and played in the Arena Football League for a year before entering the NFL with the New York Giants. Patten also played one season for the Cleveland Browns in 2000.
Across his 12 seasons in the NFL, Patten had 324 receptions, 4,715 yards and 24 touchdowns.