Jacques Patrick has huge game in Tampa Bay Viper’s first XFL win

Former FSU running back Jacques Patrick is playing with the Tampa Bay Vipers in the XFL. He was a huge part of them getting their first win of the season Sunday.

Jacques Patrick left FSU football after his senior season in 2018 with aspirations of getting drafted by an NFL team to play at the next level.

Patrick went undrafted by NFL teams but was selected with the third pick of the Tampa Bay Vipers in Phase 5 of the XFL Open Draft.

A side note is former FSU defensive back Tarvarus McFadden plays for the Vipers also. Patrick has seen a steady role in the offense for the Vipers (1-3) but shined Sunday as they got their first win of the season against the DC Defenders.

He rushed for 108 yards on 21 carries while scoring his first professional touchdown, and a special moment was captured on the broadcast. Check it out below:

Thoughts

We’ve seen professional players rise to the occasion with their athletic performance when they’ve lost loved ones. Just think of Brett Favre’s performance after losing his father years ago. Patrick’s performance Sunday was the best of his young career just days after burying his father.

It’s great to see Patrick persevere in a difficult moment. It’s even better to see him land on his feet after not getting drafted by an NFL team as he had hoped.

He has 53 rushing attempts for 231 yards, and the touchdown scored on Sunday. Jacques Patrick was a big running back at FSU but didn’t run as physical as former coach Jimbo Fisher wanted early on.

However, he got better with that each year and became a punishing runner with underrated pass-catching abilities out of the backfield. He has seven receptions for 28 yards through four games.

Here’s to hoping Patrick will continue to see an increased role for the Vipers with six games remaining in the season.