Veteran WR Patten announces retirement
2010-07-31 15:35:00
Foxboro, MA (Sports Network) - David Patten will not play a 13th NFL season in 2010, instead announcing his retirement as a member of the New England Patriots on Saturday. Patten played for the Patriots from 2001-04, during which time New England won three Super Bowl titles. Over 54 regular season games in those four seasons, Patten recorded 165 catches for 2,513 yards and 16 touchdowns.
New England brought Patten back as a free agent this offseason, but the 35- year-old opted to hang up his cleats.
"I honestly felt like I could still play this game and play it at a high level," Patten said at a Saturday press conference. "I felt like the competitive, spirited nature was still here, but over the course of the last two days, over the course of the break away from the team, there was a lot of reflection, and there was a lot of contemplation and it just felt like it was time. It just hit me yesterday."
After leaving the Patriots, Patten played for Washington (2005-06) and New Orleans (2007-08), and signed with Cleveland last offseason but did not play after being waived prior to the start of the season.
The undrafted Western Carolina product, who also had stints with the Giants (1997-99) and Browns (2000), finishes his career with 324 catches for 4,715 yards and 24 touchdown receptions. He also returned a kickoff for a score for the New York during the 1998 season.
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