Former Browns WR David Patten dies at age 47

David Patten, who spent one season with the Cleveland Browns, passed away on Thursday at the age of 47.

Patten died after being involved in a motorcycle accident in South Carolina. According to a story in The State newspaper, Patten was riding his motorcycle around 9:30 p.m. in the northeast part of Richland County, South Carolina, when he drove into the opposite lane and struck a sedan, which then hit a van. Patten was killed in the wreck.

An undrafted free agent wide receiver out of Western Carolina University in 1997, Patten played his first three seasons with the New York Giants. He signed with the Browns for the 2000 season, playing in 14 games (11 starts), and finishing with 38 receptions for 546 yards and one touchdown.

His two best games that season came in Week 5 against the Baltimore Ravens when he had seven receptions for 113 yards, and in Week 15 against the Philadelphia Eagles when he had seven receptions for 103 yards and a touchdown.

Following a 2-12 finish that season, head coach Chris Palmer was fired and the Browns hired Butch Davis as head coach. Davis had no use for a player like Patten, however, and the wide receiver signed with the New England Patriots for the 2001 season.

Patten spent four seasons with the Patriots and won three Super Bowls. He caught a touchdown pass in both the AFC Championship Game against the Pittsburgh Steelers and in the Super Bowl against the Los Angeles Rams that season.

While he missed New England’s second Super Bowl victory with an injury, Patten came back for the 2004 championship team, catching 44 passes for 800 yards and a career-high seven touchdowns.

Patten played with Washington from 2005 to 2006, and the New Orleans Saints from 2007 to 2008. He re-signed with the Browns in 2009 but did not make the roster.

He returned to the Patriots in 2010, but retired during training camp, finishing his career with 324 receptions for 4,715 yards and 24 touchdowns.