2008 Woodie Awards
Hurricane Homicide: Pata Shot and Killed
Juan Bernal
Issue date: 11/13/06 Section: Sports
Bryan Pata, a 6'4 senior defensive lineman for the Miami Hurricanes football team was described as a great teammate who served as one of the great role models on the Miami football team. Backup quarterback Kirby Freeman described him as a great leader, and someone that the team looked to for guidance. Unfortunately those teammates will now have to look elsewhere for guidance as Pata was shot and killed around 7:30 on the evening of Tuesday November 7th in his apartment complex which is located just four miles off of the University of Miami's campus.
The University Of Miami Police Department (UMPD) ruled Pata's death to be a homicide. Numerous sources that were at the scene of the crime said that Pata was shot in the head once by an unknown assailant and that the homicide appeared to have no particular motive.
According to Miami student body president Annette Ponnock, Pata was one of the most popular figures on campus and is shocked that someone like Pata could be shot. Al Saunders, coach of Miami Central High School, the high school that Pata played varsity football at for three seasons echoed Ponnock's thoughts. He described him as a educated, disciplined kid who had everything going right for him. Pata was projected to be a late first or early second round pick in April 2007's NFL Draft, and was considered one of the best defensive linemen available. Pata's mother said that her son never had problems with anyone and doesn't understand why anyone would want to kill her son.
Pata's death is another misfortune in one of the most tumultuous seasons in the history of Miami football. Three weeks ago, on October 14th, Miami and Florida International University were involved in one of the most notorious and infamous brawls in sports history. 13 players were ejected and 31 players served at least a one game suspension. With Miami at 5-4 and 2-3 in the ACC, there has been endless talk all season about Coach Larry Coker losing his job at the end of the season. Coker was described as "numb" over the news of Pata's death and released a statement through the university saying that: "Bryan was a fine person and a great competitor. He will be forever missed by his coaches and teammates. We offer our thoughts and prayers to his family." This isn't the first time this season that a Miami player has been involved with in a homicide. In July, Miami reserve safety Willie Cooper was shot in the buttocks by an unknown assailant after a confrontation at his house. Brandon Meriweather ended up firing three shots at Cooper's assailant while he fled on foot.
The university said it would have grief counselors tried to counsel players and friends of Pata. No word was released by The University of Miami or the ACC on whether Miami's game at Maryland would be postponed.
The University Of Miami Police Department (UMPD) ruled Pata's death to be a homicide. Numerous sources that were at the scene of the crime said that Pata was shot in the head once by an unknown assailant and that the homicide appeared to have no particular motive.
According to Miami student body president Annette Ponnock, Pata was one of the most popular figures on campus and is shocked that someone like Pata could be shot. Al Saunders, coach of Miami Central High School, the high school that Pata played varsity football at for three seasons echoed Ponnock's thoughts. He described him as a educated, disciplined kid who had everything going right for him. Pata was projected to be a late first or early second round pick in April 2007's NFL Draft, and was considered one of the best defensive linemen available. Pata's mother said that her son never had problems with anyone and doesn't understand why anyone would want to kill her son.
Pata's death is another misfortune in one of the most tumultuous seasons in the history of Miami football. Three weeks ago, on October 14th, Miami and Florida International University were involved in one of the most notorious and infamous brawls in sports history. 13 players were ejected and 31 players served at least a one game suspension. With Miami at 5-4 and 2-3 in the ACC, there has been endless talk all season about Coach Larry Coker losing his job at the end of the season. Coker was described as "numb" over the news of Pata's death and released a statement through the university saying that: "Bryan was a fine person and a great competitor. He will be forever missed by his coaches and teammates. We offer our thoughts and prayers to his family." This isn't the first time this season that a Miami player has been involved with in a homicide. In July, Miami reserve safety Willie Cooper was shot in the buttocks by an unknown assailant after a confrontation at his house. Brandon Meriweather ended up firing three shots at Cooper's assailant while he fled on foot.
The university said it would have grief counselors tried to counsel players and friends of Pata. No word was released by The University of Miami or the ACC on whether Miami's game at Maryland would be postponed.
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