page_title: Jimmy Patton
hierarchical_section_title: Jimmy Patton
caption_attribution_description: English: National Football League player Jimmy Patton portrayed on a 1961 Topps football card with the New York Giants
context_page_description: James Russell Patton was an American football defensive back in the National Football League for the New York Giants. He was a five-time Pro Bowl selection and five-time first-team All-Pro. Patton played college football at the University of Mississippi and was drafted in the eighth round of the 1955 NFL Draft.
  On December 22, 1972, Patton was killed in an automobile accident near Villa Rica, Georgia. He was driving alone in his car when he was struck by an oncoming vehicle while attempting to pass another car. He was driving to Virginia to see his sister who was dying of cancer as reported by his sons.
context_section_description: James Russell Patton (born September 29, 1933 – December 22, 1972) was an American football defensive back in the National Football League (NFL) for the New York Giants. He was a five-time Pro Bowl selection and five-time first-team All-Pro. Patton played college football at the University of Mississippi and was drafted in the eighth round of the 1955 NFL Draft. 
  On December 22, 1972, Patton was killed in an automobile accident near Villa Rica, Georgia. He was driving alone in his car when he was struck by an oncoming vehicle while attempting to pass another car. He was driving to Virginia to see his sister who was dying of cancer as reported by his sons.
caption: Patton on a 1961 trading card
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