The following season, at 31, he surpassed those marks, rushing for 695 yards and eight scores.
Not many players reinvent themselves after nearly a decade in the NFL. But Patterson was more than happy to do so.
“I’m just a guy that’s willing to do anything that’s on a football field,” Patterson said. “I don’t sell myself short on anything. I feel I can play any position on the football field. When my name is called, I just go out and make a play. If it’s on kickoff, on punt, defense, quarterback, if I need to do that.”
Patterson has done a little bit of everything over the course of his career, including lining up on defense on occasion. In a Week 2 win at Denver this season, he lined up at gunner for the punt team when the Steelers had some in-game injuries. He’s also played some wide receiver, running back and, of course, has served as a kick returner.
Well, don’t doubt the man.
Before every game while warming up, Patterson plays catch with young fans in the stands showing off his arm. He jokingly says it’s to show the coaching staff he’s capable of doing that, as well.
In reality, he does it for a completely different reason.
“I’ve been doing that since I was in Minnesota,” Patterson said. “I used to just walk up and down and sign autographs and take pictures and all of that. Then one day I just started throwing the ball in Minnesota, and I’ve been throwing it in the stands ever since then. If I can touch one person a day and maybe change their life, I want to do that. I’m trying to.”
It’s just another thing for him to enjoy about the game he’s played since he was 6 in his backyard with his family growing up in Rock Hill, S.C.
“Ever since I picked up that football, running around in the backyard with my family, it’s been fun,” Patterson said. “I’m never going to stop having fun. No matter what goes on, it’s a game. It’s a fun game for me, at that. You can’t get too serious. You’ve got to enjoy it. It’s a kid’s game. I still treat it like I’m still young playing at a young age.”
