Sportsnaut
Former NFL wide receiver David Patten, who won three Super Bowl championships with the New England Patriots, reportedly died in a motorcycle accident Thursday night. He was 47.
Patten played in 147 games for five teams from 1997-2008 but experienced his greatest success with the Patriots from 2001-04.
He caught the first postseason touchdown pass ever thrown by Tom Brady, a diving and twisting 8-yard reception in the end zone in the second quarter of a 20-17 victory against the St. Louis Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI. That Super Bowl title was the first for the Patriots.
Former Patriots teammates, including defensive lineman Richard Seymour, center Damien Woody and offensive coordinator Charlie Weis, were among those who confirmed Patten’s passing on Friday.
“heartbroken (broken heart emoji),” Seymour posted on Twitter. “great man of God … lost for words – David Patten (prayer hands emoji).
“Rest in Power to my former teammate, one of the best men I’ve ever known… prayers to David Patten’s family,” tweeted Woody.
“Shocked and saddened about the sudden tragic death of David Patten,” Weis wrote. “Excellent player, even better person. Family guy, team guy, devout Christian. Prayers all directed this way. RIP David. You will be sorely missed.”
Patten finished his career with 324 receptions for 4,715 yards and 24 touchdowns with the New York Giants (1997-99), Cleveland (2000), New England, Washington (2005-06) and New Orleans (2007-08). He also rushed 13 times for 106 yards and a touchdown and returned 111 kickoffs for 2,273 yards and one score.
He added 20 catches for 260 yards and two TDs in seven postseason games. He added two more rings in Super Bowls XXXVIII and XXXIX.
Undrafted out of Western Carolina, the South Carolina native began his pro career with the Arena Football League’s Albany Firebirds in 1996.
–Field Level Media
