SCMAT Exclusive Wrestling Article 2-7-21
SC wrestlers that went on to the NFL
... including three Super Bowl rings!
SCMAT is going to cover all the SC wrestlers we know that have played in the NFL, including the receiver (David Patten) that Tom Brady connected with for his first Super Bowl touchdown and Championship!
In the 2002 Super Bowl, New England Patriots wide receiver David Patten came up big during New England's first successful Super Bowl run. Patten scored his TD with 31 seconds left before halftime for the Patiots only offensive touchdown of the game, giving the Patriots a 20-17 win over the Rams.
Back in 2002, Rob Wiggs, our State Director for USA-Wrestling, wrote in to share this interesting story. "Along with football in high school, David Patten also wrestled in high school at Lower Richland for a couple of years and was coached by my brother, Steve Wiggs, and I. I don't remember who the actual head coach was - they rotated like a clock. David was a heck of a raw athletic talent, with very strong family ties, who worked hard to become a Region Wrestling Champion. After working with my brother for the most part on his takedowns, David had a double leg takedown that was rarely stopped. Wish he would have come out for wrestling a year or two sooner."
In our coverage below, we will start with David Patten and then go through the timeline of SC wrestlers who played in the NFL.
If you notice any SC wrestlers missing from this list of NFL players, let me know - scmat@hotmail.com
David Patten - Lower Richland
David Patten - Lower Richland (1989-1992) - wrestled for Coach Steve Wiggs and Coach Rob Wiggs
Western Carolina (1992-1995)
NFL - Albany Firebirds (1996)
New York Giants (1997-1999)
Cleveland Browns (2000)
New England Patriots (2001-2004) - Three Super Bowl rings
Washington Redskins (2005-2006)
New Orleans Saints (2007-2008)
Cleveland Browns (2009)*
New England Patriots (2010)*
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Life After Football: The Story of David Patten
David Patten's Super Bowl XXXVI catch (around 36 second mark)
John Simpson - Fort Dorchester
John Simpson - Fort Dorchester (2016 285 2nd, 2015 285 1st) - wrestled for Coach Deral Brown and Coach Andrew Young
Clemson University (2016-2019)
NFL - Las Vegas Raiders (2020-present)
Robert Quinn - Fort Dorchester
Robert Quinn - Fort Dorchester (2008 285 1st, 2007 285 1st, 2006 275 1st, 2005 215 3rd) - wrestled for Coach B.D. LaPrad
University of North Carolina (2008-2009)
NFL - St. Louis / Los Angeles Rams (2011-2017) - 2x Pro Bowl (2013, 2014)
Miami Dolphins (2018)
Dallas Cowboys (2019)
Chicago Bears (2020-2022)
Philadelphia Eagles (present) - Super Bowl
Jonathan Willard - Loris
Jonathan Willard - Loris (2008 189 1st, 2007 189 1st, 2006 189 1st, 2005 171 1st) - wrestled for Coach Thomas Britt
Clemson University (2008-2012)
NFL - Tennessee Titans (2013) *
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Jonathan Willard is Happy with Plan B
Tennessee Titans LB Jonathan Willard Saves Family from Burning Car
Thomas Austin - Camden
Thomas Austin - Camden (2004 275 1st) - wrestled for Coach Richard Bonneville
Clemson University (2004-2008)
NFL - Minnesota Vikings (2010)*
New England Patriots (2010-2011)*
Houston Texans (2011-2012)
New England Patriots (2012)*
Carolina Panthers (2012)
Indianapolis Colts (2013)*
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Robert Ayers - Marlboro County
Robert Ayers - Marlboro County (2000-2003) - wrestled for Coach Greg Brewer
University of Tennessee (2004-2008)
NFL - Denver Broncos (2009-2013)
New York Giants (2014-2015)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2016-2017)
Detroit Lions (2018)*
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only
5 Things to Know About Robert Ayers
Dustin Fry - Summerville
Dustin Fry - Summerville (2002 275 1st, 2001 275 1st) - wrestled for Coach Kenny Walker
Clemson University (2002-2006)
NFL - St. Louis Rams (2007-2008)
Cleveland Browns (2008-2009)
Carolina Panthers (2009)
Denver Broncos (2010)
Roddy White - James Island
Sharod "Roddy" White - James Island (2001 189 1st, 2000 152 1st, 1999 130 4th, 1998 112 2nd) - wrestled for Coach Albert Spalviero
University of Alabama at Birmingham (2001-2005)
NFL - Atlanta Falcons (2005-2015) - 4x Pro Bowl (2008-2011)
Roddy White has wrestling roots
Kevin Breedlove - Daniel
Kevin Breedlove - Daniel (1998 275 2nd, 1997 275 4th) - wrestled for Coach Carthel Crout and Coach Quay Scott
University of Georgia (1998-2002)
NFL - San Diego Chargers (2003)
Cleveland Pinkney - Sumter
Cleveland Pinkney - Sumter (1997 275 1st, 1996 275 2nd, 1995 275 2nd) - wrestled for Coach David Wright
University of South Carolina (1997-2001)
NFL - Indianapolis Colts (2001)*
San Francisco 49ers (2002)*
Berlin Thunder (2002)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2003)
Carolina Panthers (2004-2005)
Detroit Lions (2006)
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Cleveland Pinkney from Wikipedia
Ian Rafferty - Summerville
Ian Rafferty - Summerville (1994 275 4th, 1993 275 3rd) - wrestled for Coach Steve LaPrad and Coach Mike Frye
North Carolina State (1994-1998)
NFL - NY Jets (1999)
Tennessee Titans (2001)
Summerville's new coach: Ian Rafferty returns to football program that John McKissick built
Chris Corley - Irmo
Chris Corley - Irmo (1981 275 1st, 1980 275 2nd) - wrestled for Coach B.D. LaPrad
University of South Carolina (1981-1984)
NFL - Dallas Cowboys (1985-1986)*
Seattle Seahawks 1987
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only
These historical articles at SCMAT will hopefully provide accurate facts though we may always have missed some data at some point. If you notice a correction, addition or just want to comment please send a reply to scmat@hotmail.com
thanks,
Mark Buford
Send any updates or feedback to scmat@hotmail.com
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