Report: Former Patriots wide receiver David Patten dies at 47
The New England Patriots have tragically lost a hero from their first Super Bowl victory, as wide receiver David Patten has died in a motorcycle accident, according to some of those closest to the South Carolina native.
The news of Patten’s passing was first made public by former teammate Richard Seymour, while Erik Kimrey, the current tight ends coach for the University of South Carolina, also posted his condolences to the Patten family via Twitter. Patten’s cousin, George Moore Jr., meanwhile, took to Twitter to express his grief regarding Patten’s death.
Signed by the Patriots prior to the 2001 season, Patten was part of New England’s first 21st century dynasty, and came through with the iconic catch in the team’s Super Bowl XXXVI win over the St. Louis Rams. Patten made an eerily similar catch in the Patriots’ AFC-clinching win over the Pittsburgh Steelers just two weeks prior, too, and finished the 2001 postseason with 13 receptions for 154 yards along with those two aforementioned touchdowns.
April 2, 2001
— Boston Sports Info (@bostonsportsinf) April 2, 2021
Patriots sign free agent WR David Patten
Super Bowl Champ - 3x pic.twitter.com/tWzB5x7OLe
It would be the first of three Super Bowl championships Patten won during his four-season run with the Patriots (with Patten an active player for two of the three championships, with his 2003 season cut short by injury), and with a four-year stat line that included 165 catches, 2,513 yards, 16 receiving touchdowns, and one passing touchdown.
An arena football pro before joining the NFL, Patten totaled 324 catches, 4,715 yards, and 24 touchdowns in 147 games between the Patriots, New York Giants, New Orleans Saints, Washington Redskins, and Cleveland Browns.
Ty Anderson is a writer and columnist for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Yell at him on Twitter: @_TyAnderson.
