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 Former Catamount and Super Bowl Champion David Patten will join former NFL great Rosey Grier at an FCA event March 26 in the Ramsey Center. |
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March 20, 2002
Cullowhee, N.C. - A member of the legendary "Fearsome Foursome" of the National Football League and a former Western Carolina University Catamount who made NFL history this past season will be featured in a Tuesday, March 26, presentation sponsored by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA).
Rosey Grier, leader of the "Fearsome Foursome" defensive line of the Los Angeles Rams, and David Patten, star receiver of the Super Bowl XXXVI champion New England Patriots, will visit the WCU campus for a 7:00 pm program at the Ramsey Regional Activity Center. The event is free and open to the public.
After retiring from the NFL, Grier became one of the first professional athletes to make the transition to acting, performing in more than 70 television roles, 10 movie roles, and on many tours with Bob Hope. An accomplished singer, he also has recorded nationally released albums and has performed at Carnegie Hall.
Grier has authored several popular books, including "Needle-Point for Men." He also was an aid to Robert Kennedy, and disarmed and subdued Sirhan Sirhan after he fatally shot Kennedy. Today, as an ordained minister, Grier works as an activist and spokesman for the inner city youth of America.
In October, Patten became the first NFL player in 22 years to run, catch and pass for touchdowns in the same game. By the end of the game against the Indianapolis Colts, Patten had amassed 206 all-purpose yards, including four catches for 117 yards. Those exploits earned him AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors.
In the Super Bowl on Feb. 3, Patten scored the only offensive touchdown of the game in the Patriots' 20-17 upset win over the St. Louis Rams, and he also scored the lone touchdown the previous week in the AFC championship game. A native of Columbia, S.C., Patten played football at Western from 1992-95 and was All-Southern Conference his senior season.
Patten currently ranks 10th on the WCU career list for touchdown receptions (14), while ranking on the school's singles season lists for touchdown receptions (sixth) and receptions (eighth). He led the Catamounts in 1995 in receptions (59), touchdown catches (seven) and yards (881). Also in 1995, he scorched Elon for 185 yards, which is the seventh-best, single-game performance by a receiver in WCU history.
For information on special or group seating, call FCA representative Rod Brandt at (828) 631-9767 or (828) 277-7700 .
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