FOXBORO, Mass. — You can always tell how much a retiree will be missed when their friends and former teammates choose to speak about them as a person first, and then as a player.
That was the case Saturday when Patriots wide receiver David Patten announced his retirement. Patten was one of five remaining Patriots — along with quarterback Tom Brady, running back Kevin Faulk, left tackle Matt Light and right guard Stephen Neal — who was with the team during their three Super Bowl wins.
After Saturday morning's walkthrough, Light and Faulk spoke fondly of Patten.
"I think it's off the field, personally," Faulk said of his fondest memories of the wideout. "David Patten really touched a lot of people's lives in this locker room when he was here the first time and this time. That’s the way I feel."
"I was actually looking forward to playing with DP again," Light said. "He's a good dude.
"He's a humble guy. He goes about his business the right way. He's a true professional. He's a guy that other guys look up to, and he's a good role model for the younger cats that come in. He's a guy that sets them on the right path. He's a guy that goes out there and makes plays. He always did that when he was here, and I always respected him for that."
