Report: Former Patriots WR David Patten dies at age 47 originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
The NFL and New England Patriots family have lost a beloved member. David Patten reportedly has died at the age of 47.
The State, a newspaper in Patten's native South Carolina, confirmed the former Patriots wide receiver's death in a story published Friday morning.
The State's story also reported that "Patten was riding a motorcycle Thursday night and died after a collision, the Richland County coroner confirmed Friday morning."
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One of Patten's former Patriots teammates, Richard Seymour, was among the first to tweet about the tragic news Friday morning. Other former Patriots teammates, including Deion Branch and Damien Woody, also shared their condolences on Twitter.
The Patriots issued a statement Friday afternoon saying they were "deeply saddened" to learn of Patten's death.
"I am heartbroken by the news of David's passing," Patriots owner Robert Kraft said. "He was a devout Christian who followed his passion following his football career and founded his own ministry. David transitioned from an undersized and understated wide receiver to a powerful and passionate preacher. In New England, he will always be remembered as a three-time Super Bowl Champion. His touchdown reception in the AFC Championship game at Pittsburgh propelled the Patriots to Super Bowl XXXVI and I'll never forget his remarkable catch in the back of the end zone in that game. It was our only offensive touchdown in the Super Bowl and secured our first championship in franchise history. Our sincerest sympathies are with his wife, Galiena, his family and all who are mourning David's tragic and untimely death."
"It breaks my heart to hear of David's tragic passing at such a young age," added Patriots coach Bill Belichick. "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."
University of South Carolina tight ends coach Erik Kimrey tweeted Friday, "Lost a local legend yesterday. David Patten played for my father at Lower Richland and went on to win a Super Bowl. He will be missed! Praying for the Patten family."
Patten signed with the Patriots as a free agent in 2001 and became an important wide receiver in Tom Brady's first season as the starting quarterback. The Western Carolina product won three Super Bowl titles in his four seasons with the Patriots.
He even caught Brady's first career playoff touchdown pass in the Patriots' Super Bowl XXXVI win over the heavily favored St. Louis Rams. It's one of the most iconic plays of the team's first dynasty era.
Patten also caught a touchdown pass from Drew Bledsoe two weeks earlier when the Patriots defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2001 AFC Championship Game. He caught eight passes for 107 yards in the famous Snow Bowl win over the Oakland Raiders in the AFC Divisional Round, too, highlighting how clutch he was during that postseason run.
On Oct. 21, 2001 against the Indianapolis Colts, Patten became the first player since 1979 to catch, run and throw for a touchdown in the same game.
Patten played 147 games for five teams in his 12-year NFL career. He tallied 324 receptions for 4,715 yards and 24 touchdowns.
