FILE - In this Feb. 3, 2002, file photo, New England Patriots wide receiver David Patten grabs a touchdown pass during the second quarter of Super Bowl XXXVI against the St. Louis Rams at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, La. Patten, who caught Tom Brady's first postseason touchdown to help the Patriots win their first Super Bowl, was killed in a motorcycle accident on Thursday night, Sept. 3, 2021, outside of Columbia, S.C., Richard County coroner Naida Rutherford said in a statement. He was 47. Patten played 12 seasons in the NFL after signing as an undrafted free agent with the New York Giants in 1997. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens, File)
The Associated Press
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - Former NFL receiver and three-time Super Bowl champion David Patten Jr., who caught Tom Brady's first postseason touchdown pass to help the Patriots win their first title, has died in a motorcycle accident.
Richland County coroner Naida Rutherford said in a statement Patten was killed in a crash Thursday night outside of Columbia, South Carolina. The South Carolina Highway Patrol said the accident involved two other vehicles.
Patten played 12 seasons in the NFL after signing as an undrafted free agent with the New York Giants in 1997. He spent three seasons in New York and also played for Cleveland, Washington and New Orleans.
But his biggest highlights came as a member of the Patriots, making two iconic catches to help New England capture its first Super Bowl win during the 2001 season. He hauled in an 11-yard TD from Drew Bledsoe during the Patriots' 24-17 win over Pittsburgh in the AFC championship game. He followed that with a leaping 8-yard TD reception from Brady in the second quarter of the Super Bowl. It was New England's lone offensive TD in the 20-17 win over the St. Louis Rams.
Patten played with the Patriots from 2001 until 2004 and was a member of their 2003 and 2004 championship teams. He appeared in 147 career NFL games, catching 324 passes for 4,715 yards and 24 touchdowns.
In a statement coach Bill Belichick called Patten 'œan essential person and player in Patriots history.'ť
'œIt breaks my heart to hear of David's tragic passing at such a young age,'ť Belichick said. 'œI 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.'ť
Team owner Robert Kraft said he was 'œheartbroken."
'œHe was a devout Christian who followed his passion following his football career and founded his own ministry," Kraft said. "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.'ť
Condolences also poured in across social media from several of Patten's former teammates.
'œRest in Power to my former teammate, one of the best men I've ever known,'ť former Patriots offensive lineman Damien Woody wrote.
Richard Seymour, who played alongside Patten for each of their three Super Bowl wins in New England, wrote on Twitter that he was 'œheartbroken.'ť
'œGreat man of God...lost for words,'ť Seymour said.
___
More AP NFL coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL
FILE - In this Nov. 14, 2004, file photo, New England Patriots' Kevin Faulk (33) celebrates with David Patten (86) after Patten's touchdown reception against the Buffalo Bills during the second quarter of an NFL football game at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. Patten, who caught Tom Brady's first postseason touchdown to help the Patriots win their first Super Bowl, was killed in a motorcycle accident on Thursday night, Sept. 3, 2021, outside of Columbia, S.C., Richard County coroner Naida Rutherford said in a statement. He was 47. Patten played 12 seasons in the NFL after signing as an undrafted free agent with the New York Giants in 1997. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson, File)
The Associated Press
FILE - In this Sept. 9, 2004, file photo, New England Patriots wide receiver David Patten scores on a 25-yard reception from Patriots quarterback Tom Brady during the third quarter of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts in Foxborough, Mass. Patten, who caught Tom Brady's first postseason touchdown to help the Patriots win their first Super Bowl, was killed in a motorcycle accident on Thursday night, Sept. 3, 2021, outside of Columbia, S.C., Richard County coroner Naida Rutherford said in a statement. He was 47. Patten played 12 seasons in the NFL after signing as an undrafted free agent with the New York Giants in 1997. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia, File)
The Associated Press
FILE - In this Feb. 3, 2002, file photo, New England Patriots receiver David Patten (86) celebrates after catching a touchdown pass from quarterback Tom Brady in the second quarter of Super Bowl XXXVI against the St. Louis Rams at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans. Patten, who caught Tom Brady's first postseason touchdown to help the Patriots win their first Super Bowl, was killed in a motorcycle accident on Thursday night, Sept. 3, 2021, outside of Columbia, S.C., Richard County coroner Naida Rutherford said in a statement. He was 47. Patten played 12 seasons in the NFL after signing as an undrafted free agent with the New York Giants in 1997. (AP Photo/Doug Mills, File)
The Associated Press
FILE - In this Oct. 17, 2004, file photo, New England Patriots wide receiver David Patten (86) side steps Seattle Seahawks cornerback Ken Lucas (21) as Patten heads for the end zone during second quarter of an NFL football game in Foxborough Mass. Patten, who caught Tom Brady's first postseason touchdown to help the Patriots win their first Super Bowl, was killed in a motorcycle accident on Thursday night, Sept. 3, 2021, outside of Columbia, S.C., Richard County coroner Naida Rutherford said in a statement. He was 47. Patten played 12 seasons in the NFL after signing as an undrafted free agent with the New York Giants in 1997. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
The Associated Press
FILE - This is a 2010 file photo of David Patten of the New England Patriots NFL football team. Patten, who caught Tom Brady's first postseason touchdown to help the Patriots win their first Super Bowl, was killed in a motorcycle accident on Thursday night, Sept. 3, 2021, outside of Columbia, S.C., Richard County coroner Naida Rutherford said in a statement. He was 47. Patten played 12 seasons in the NFL after signing as an undrafted free agent with the New York Giants in 1997. (AP Photo/File)
The Associated Press
FILE - In this Feb. 3, 2002, file photo, New England Patriots wide receiver David Patten grabs a touchdown pass during the second quarter of Super Bowl XXXVI against the St. Louis Rams at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, La. Patten, who caught Tom Brady's first postseason touchdown to help the Patriots win their first Super Bowl, was killed in a motorcycle accident on Thursday night, Sept. 3, 2021, outside of Columbia, S.C., Richard County coroner Naida Rutherford said in a statement. He was 47. Patten played 12 seasons in the NFL after signing as an undrafted free agent with the New York Giants in 1997. (J.B. Forbes/St. Louis Post-Dispatch via AP, File)
The Associated Press