David Patten, a former NFL wide receiver and three-time Super Bowl champion with the Patriots, has died.
Sam Gordon of G2 Management, where Patten is one of his clients, confirmed his death to The State on Friday morning. A cause of death has not been confirmed, though 98.5 in Boston reported Patten died in a motorcycle crash. He was 47.
Patten’s former teammates and NFL peers have taken to social media to share their condolences.
Richard Seymour, who played with Patten in New England, tweeted a photo of his former teammate with the caption, “Heartbroken great man of God… lost for words – David Patten.”
Patten’s fellow wide receiver and former Patriots teammate Deion Branch called him a “Great Player, but Most of All A Great Man, Mentor and Brother” on Twitter.
The Patriots signed Patten as a free agent in 2001, his fifth NFL season after stints with the Giants and Browns. Before his NFL debut, he briefly played in the Arena Football League.
Patten went on to have a long, successful career — including stretches with the Saints, Washington Football Team and Browns. He totaled 324 catches, 4,715 yards and 24 touchdowns in 147 career games.
“It breaks my heart to hear of David’s tragic passing at such a young age,” Patriots head coach Bill Belichick said in a statement. “I am grateful to have coached David. He is an essential person and player in Patriots history, without whom we would not have been Super Bowl champions.
“I especially appreciate David for his professional journey. As much as anyone, David epitomized the unheralded, self-made player who defied enormous odds to not only earn a job in the NFL but to become a key player on multiple championship teams. I can speak for anyone who had the pleasure to be around David that his work ethic, positive energy and character were elite. My deepest condolences are with his family and loved ones.”
Though, his four seasons in New England with quarterback Tom Brady would be his most successful NFL years. Patten won three Super Bowl championships with the Patriots, and totaled 165 catches, 2,513 yards, 16 receiving touchdowns, along with one passing touchdown as a Patriot.
Patten caught Brady’s first Super Bowl touchdown pass against the Rams in their 20-17 win in 2002 that launched the franchise’s dynasty.
Patten left the Patriots after that 2004 season, but he re-signed with the team in 2010, before retiring that summer.
