Bill Belichick, Robert Kraft, and many others expressed their condolences following the passing of former Patriots wide receiver David Patten at age 47.
Belichick said it breaks his heart to hear that Patten has died at such a young age. He added that he’s grateful to have coached him and called him an essential person and player in Patriots history. Without Patten, Belichick said, the Patriots would not have been Super Bowl champions.
He said he especially appreciates Patten for his professional journey, noting that he epitomized the unheralded, self-made player who defied enormous odds to get to where he did.