Staley Da Bear
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- Mar 16, 2019
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Patterson also ranks second in NFL history with a 29.9-yard career average, trailing only Bears Hall of Famer Gale Sayers (30.6). Patterson’s seven career kickoff return touchdowns rank third on the league’s all-time list, one behind co-leaders Josh Cribbs and Leon Washington.
Patterson signed with the Bears in March after spending his first six NFL seasons with the Vikings (2013-16), Raiders (2017) and Patriots (2018), winning the Super Bowl last season with New England.
The 6-2, 238-pounder helped the Bears lead the NFL in kickoff return average (26.6 yards) in 2019 after ranking last in the league (19.1) in 2018.
Patterson was named the NFC special teams player of the month for November. In five games, he averaged 29.4 yards on 10 kickoff returns, highlighted by a 57-yarder on the opening kickoff in a 24-20 win over the Lions on Thanksgiving in Detroit.
Patterson also excelled as a gunner this season. In a 19-14 win over the Giants Nov. 24 at Soldier Field, he produced three excellent plays.
In the second quarter, Patterson made a touchdown-saving tackle on Jabrill Peppers’ 40-yard punt return at the Bears’ 29. Giants kicker Aldrick Rosas eventually missed a 42-yard field goal on the drive.
In the fourth period, Patterson caught Pat O'Donnell’s 34-yard punt at the Giants’ 3 and later dove to keep O’Donnell’s 61-yard punt from rolling into the end zone, swatting the ball back while prone to the ground.