Former NFL receiver David Patten, who won three Super Bowl titles with the New England Patriots, died Thursday in a motorcycle accident on the outskirts of Columbia, South Carolina, according to Richland County forensic researcher , Naida Rutherford. He was 47 years old.
According to South Carolina Highway Patrol Lance Cpl. Nick Pye, a motorcycle driver, identified by the coroner as Patten, crossed the median and caused an accident that affected two more cars. One of the drivers of the cars was also taken to a hospital with undisclosed injuries.
The accident is still being investigated by the road patrol and the forensic.
“I am heartbroken by the news of David’s death,” Patriots owner Robert Kraft said in a statement. “He was a devout Christian who pursued his passion after his football career and founded his own ministry. David went from an undersized and discreet broad receiver to a powerful and passionate preacher. In New England, he always will remember him as a three – time Super Bowl Champion. “
Patten played on five teams during a 12-year career in the NFL, but is best known for his four seasons with the Patriots from 2001 to 2004. He scored the only offensive touchdown for the Patriots during his first Super victory. Bowl, the 2001 season against the Rams, with an 8-yard pass from Tom Brady to give New England a 14-3 lead just before the break.
When he retired during the Patriots training camp in 2010, Patten described his time with the Patriots as the culmination of his career.
“It breaks my heart to hear about David’s tragic passing at such a young age,” Patriots coach Bill Belichick said in a statement. “I’m grateful to have coached David. He’s an essential person and player in Patriots history, without whom we wouldn’t have been Super Bowl champions.”
Former Patriots teammates Richard Seymour and Deion Branch and former New England offensive coordinator Charlie Weis were one of those praising Patten on social media Friday.
🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾 Great player, but above all a great man, mentor and brother #LoveYou #ChiefChief https://t.co/BjUo0Kwbi6
– Deion Branch # 83 # 84 (@ deionbranch84) September 3, 2021
Surprised and saddened by the sudden tragic death of David Patten. Excellent player, even better person. Family man, team man, devout Christian. All prayers were addressed in this way. RIP David. He will miss you very much.
– Charlie Weis (@charlieweissr) September 3, 2021
Sam Gordon, who had Patten as a client at his management company, said he had spoken to Patten’s wife and that her death “broke their hearts.”
“If you want people to know anything about David, it’s that, as a great player he was, he was a better man,” Gordon told ESPN’s Mike Reiss.
Patten also played for the New York Giants, Cleveland Browns, New Orleans Saints and Washington. He played his last NFL game in 2008 and finished with 324 receptions for 4,715 yards and 24 touchdowns.