David Patten, three-time Super Bowl champion with Patriots, dies at 47

A constant in the starting lineup during the New England Patriots’ burgeoning years as a dynasty and a three-time Super Bowl champion, former NFL wide receiver David Patten died this week at the age of 47.

Sam Gordon of G2 Sports Management, who had Patten as a client at his firm, confirmed Patten’s death to NFL Network’s Mike Giardi.

Patten’s NFL career also saw him play for the New York Giants, Cleveland Browns, Washington and New Orleans Saints, but his finest seasons and most enduring moments came with the Patriots.

Patten played for New England from 2001 through 2004, collecting three Super Bowl wins, along with 44 starts in 54 regular-season games as he hauled in 165 catches for 2,513 yards and 16 touchdowns.

In the Patriots’ first Super Bowl triumph, Patten got the start and made just one catch, but it was a memorable one as he hauled in an eight-yard touchdown from some kid named Tom Brady. It was the first of a record 21 Super Bowl TD passes for Brady, and Patten’s six points gave the Patriots a 13-3 lead in Super Bowl XXXVI en route to a 20-17 victory and the start of a dynasty.

Across 12 NFL seasons, Patten tallied 324 catches for 4,715 yards and 24 touchdowns. His 61 receptions and 824 yards receiving in 2002 with New England were career highs as were his seven touchdown grabs in 2004 with the Pats.

He began his career in 1997 with the Giants as an undrafted free agent out of Western Carolina.

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