FORMER New England Patriots player David Patten has died at 47, according to reports with Tom Brady leading tributes.
Tom Brady took to his Instagram stories to pay tribute to the late player, sharing a photo of Patten and writing “The consummate professional. RIP my friend. My love goes out to David’s family.”
According to the Richland County coroner office, Patten was riding a motorcycle on September 2 and died after a collision.
The S.C. Highway Patrol reported that the wreck involving Patten happened just after 9:30 p.m. on September 2 in the northeast part of Richland County, South Carolina.
During his time with the Patriots, Patten won three Super Bowls – XXXVI, XXXVIII, and XXXIX.
Patten also had stints at Washington Redskins, New Orleans Saints, and the Cleveland Browns.
Read our live blog on David Patten for the latest news and updates…
-
‘HIGHLIGHT OF HIS CAREER’
Patten described his time with the Patriots, from 2001 to 2004, as the highlight of his career.
-
WHAT TEAMS HAS PATTEN PLAYED FOR?
Patten played for the New York Giants, Cleveland Browns, Washington Redskins, at the time, New Orleans Saints and New England Patriots.
-
WAS PATTEN MARRIED?
At the time of his death, Patten was married to his wife, Gailena.
The Patten’s kept their relationship off of social media and from the public eye so not much is known about their home life.
It is unclear what Gailena does for a living.
-
PATTEN ON RETIRING IN 2010
“This is in no way, shape, or form what I anticipated coming back here this year,” he said in 2010.
“I’m actually a little saddened that I’m proving some of the naysayers right this morning. Some felt I signed back with the team to retire, but that was not part of my thought process. I honestly felt like I could still play this game and play at a high level.
“I felt the competitive spirit and nature was still there, but over the course of the last two days and over the course of the break [before training camp] away from the team, there was a lot of reflection. There was a lot of contemplation,” Patten added.
-
RETIREMENT
In July 2010, at the age of 37, Patten announced his retirement from professional football.
Dealing with injuries during his final years in the league, father time caught up to Patten, who still believed he could keep up physically with the sport.
But it was the mental challenge that led him to tell coach Bill Belichick he was retiring after four practices.
-
DID DAVID PATTEN HAVE CHILDREN?
According to ESPN, the couple reportedly had four children together.
In 2017, Patriots.com reported that one of Patten’s sons, Daquan, was a walk-on freshman wide receiver at Western Carolina.
-
PATRIOTS HEAD COACH STATEMENT
The head coach of the Patriots has shared a statement on Patten’s passing.
-
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS PAYS TRIBUTE
The New England Patriots Twitter honors Patten.
-
PATTEN’S SON’S COACH SPEAKS OUT
Dan Morgan teaches at Spring Valley High School and had the opportunity to coach one of Patten’s sons, saying he was a “great father and man.”
-
‘A SMILE THAT WOULD FILL UP THE ROOM’
The cameramen for NBC Sports in Boston remember how Patten was always smiling and interacting with fans.
-
FORMER TEAMMANTE TRIBUTE
Former NFL player Corey Miller remember’s Patten’s faith on and off the field.
-
‘HE WAS CLUTCH’
Columist Guregian took to Twitter to remember Platten’s impressive skills and career.
-
‘TAKEN FROM US TOO SOON’
NFL alum celebrates Patten’s “heart, toughness, energy, [and] positivity.”
-
TEAMMATE POSTS TRIBUTE
Former teammate Jermaine Wiggins remembers Patten.
-
‘THE PERFECT TEAMMATE’
Patten will be remembered as “the perfect teammate” who was “such a positive influence on so many people.”