Getty ImagesLast August, Eagles defensive tackle Mike Patterson suffered a seizure during practice. The diagnosis seemed ominous; he had a congenital tangle of blood vessels in his brain, which could be eradicated only by surgery.
But Patterson returned and started 15 games, with the condition controlled by medication. Then, in January, he underwent a six-hour procedure that cured the problem.
He plans to return for training camp and play in 2012. “I just want to go out there and show people that no matter what you go through, you still need to stand up and continue to fight,” Patterson told Jonathan Tamari of the Philadelphia Inquirer. “I love football, so I just want to continue to play.”
He’s not expected to be ready to return for offseason practices. And he’s not worried about injuring the area of his head where bone was temporarily removed to allow the malformation to be fixed. “You break bones in this game all the time, they’ll heal back eventually,” Patterson said. “I don’t think that it was a question in my mind [that] if I’m hit in that area again, that something is going to happen.”
A first-round pick in 2005, Patterson has spent all seven seasons of his career with the Eagles. Here’s hoping that he can play another seven seasons.
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Best of Luck Mike Patterson.
Have a good healthy season .. we need you.
One of the most under appreciated Eagles of this era.
I applaud Patterson’s determination to play again. Get well soon, Mike!
Now, if only they’d operate on the front office’s brain for committing to Bad Newz Vick..
Met him at a training camp before, very nice guy….solid, not spectacular, player…..hope he is healthy and can continue his career
Get over yourself and enjoy football.
best of luck to you. keep on fighting.
Good for him. BTW, Andy Reid went and visited him regularly while he was recoving in the hospital…he also ate his hospital food while he was sleeping, but still…
How long ’til he sues the NFL for letting him play with a genetic brain condition??
Good luck Mike Patterson! Met him at the King of Prussia Sports Authority, he was doing an autograph thing. Very nice guy
really dixiebob? What a classless post you douche. Get well mike best of luck!
this may be the reason they go dt 1st round tho…
1st. Good luck Mike. Great guy. 2nd, This is why Ive been saying for months that the Eagles will go DT in the 1st. Aside from Pattersons health, Jenkins is the only DT on this team that really fits Jim Washburns scheme. I think this season instead of 6 DEs and 4 DTs youll see the Eagles keep 5 DTs and 5 DEs. In the concussion era NFL a guy comin off brain surgery cant be counted on for much. But the Eagles did a good job keepin it quiet so as not to give away draft strategy.
Patterson is 28 comin off brain surgery. Jenkins is 31. Dixon is 26 and not a Washburn fit on passing downs… the Eagles are goin pass rushing DT in the 1st.
Gotta love his determination- best of luck Mike!
Best of luck Mike