David Patten Retires
By author
Wide receiver David Patten, a veteran from the Patriots’ Super Bowl years who recently re-signed with the team, has announced his retirement after 13 years of professional football. Patten said that physically he felt that he could still compete but was not 100% into it mentally, so he knew it was time to retire. Here’s some of what Patten had to day about why he retired:
“I was still able to go out and be competitive and operate at a high level, but I believe once you get to the point in your career where it’s multiple years — it would be my 13th year — and you’re thinking about it mentally and you’re not 100 percent into it mentally wise, it’s tough to play this game. I always felt like when I got to that that point, it would be in my best interests to walk away.”
David Patten was a phenomenal locker room guy and a great competitor during his time with the team. According to multiple accounts from the younger receivers on the team, Patten had already made an impact on them during his short second stint with the team. He was also highly respected by the veterans on the team. Despite his leadership qualities, Patten had an uphill battle to make the team this year with all of the young blood at receiver on the team. Both second-year man Brandon Tate and rookie Taylor Price have looked very impressive so far in camp and may have squeezed a roster spot out of Patten. Fellow Musket Fire writer Steve and I both remarked yesterday at camp that Patten looked a hair slower than in the past and compared to the younger receivers. Regardless, he was a great team guy and will be missed.
When I think of David Patten, there are two moments that always stick out in my mind. The first is the game against the Colts in 2001 where Patten ran for a touchdown, threw a touchdown pass, and caught a touchdown. Definitely an amazing performance, the first time it had been done since Walter Payton did it 10 years earlier. The second Patten memory is the touchdown pass he caught from Tom Brady in the 2001 Super Bowl, the team’s only offensive score. His jumping, twirling catch is one of the staple moments of that Super Bowl.
Happy retirement, David!