Bryan Pata, U of M shot and killed

[Southpaw]

Just senseless. Bryan Pata shot and killed outside his apartment.

 

[devilfan02]

Man, what a rough year for the University of Miami. No one knows what happened yet, just that he got shot and killed right after leaving practice.

Stuff like this makes me sick.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=2653361

 

[Brian in Mesa]

Very sad. I wonder when they'll release details?

 

[Southpaw]

I really hope this incident is not connected in any way to the, earlier in the year,
Willie Cooper shooting where Brandon Merriweather shot back. It is just too crazy to guess and all too senseless. Bryan Pata was a very good guy.

 

[devilfan02]

Like Wallyburger said, you have to really hope this shooting isn't connected with any earlier encounters.


The 6-foot-4, 280-pound lineman was in his fourth year with the Hurricanes. He appeared in 41 games, making 23 starts, and was expected to be a first- or second-round pick in next spring's NFL draft.

In July, reserve safety Willie Cooper was shot in the buttocks when confronted in his yard before an early-morning workout. Cooper was not seriously injured. Brandon Meriweather, one of Cooper's teammates and roommates, returned fire at Cooper's assailant, taking three shots that apparently missed, police said.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=2653361

 

[boisesuns]

That's terrible. Practicing just hours earlier. Is Miami playing this weekend? That's got to be rough for his team and his family.

 

[Southpaw]

That's terrible. Practicing just hours earlier. Is Miami playing this weekend? That's got to be rough for his team and his family.

Still not determined whether they will play or not. Probably will. Announcement today.

 

[MigratingOsprey]

just senseless

 

[Southpaw]

Well said DD.

Dodds and Ends


Dodds and Ends By Dennis Dodd
CBS SportsLine.com Senior Writer

Updated: Nov/08/2006 10:36 AM

Rest in peace, Bryan Pata

Football doesn't count anymore. It's hard to think about some stupid computer or asinine poll.

Bryan Pata is dead.

It's hard to think about anything except the Miami defensive lineman's family, the UM football team and coach Larry Coker. A depressing season turned tragic when Pata was murdered Tuesday night.

This is no time to pontificate about the danger of guns or even whether Saturday's game against Maryland should be played. The only thing I can think about is how that bullet not only killed a great kid but tore through Miami.

The Hurricanes are loved in South Florida. No matter what criticisms there are of the program, Miami is the biggest success story in the sport in the past 30 years. The Hurricanes changed the way we looked at college football -- because we could not look away.

They were/are entertainers, mostly great kids. Colorful players with colorful coaches. We wanted to be around them because they were anything but boring.

I remember suggesting that the Miami dynasty was over before the Virginia Tech game last year. Whether or not it was, wasn't the point. It was an opinion. I expected holy hell if they won. You don't write something like that, then not show up.

Apparently, coaches made copies of the column and passed it out on the plane on the way to Blacksburg. Of course, Miami won. I will take no credit. I did take a lot of grief.

One assistant, on the field after the game, said sarcastically: "Nice pick." A team rep told me as I entered the locker room, "I don't know if you want to go in there." Another assistant undressed me in the locker room in front of everyone. I was told an offensive lineman "wanted to see me."

The player good-naturedly turned to other writers and criticized those who doubted the 'Canes, knowing I was right at his side.

The reaction was exactly what I expected. Miami has pride, but it didn't go over the edge. Never was one curse word uttered. Never did I feel physically threatened. It was their way of saying, "We're still here, deal with it." Virginia Tech had just found out.

At the end of the night, I had even more respect for the 'Canes. I wrote what I wrote. They played and won. End of story.

I think now how that locker room hurts, how Pata's teammates will feel his death for the rest of their lives. How the greatest success story in the past 30 years must deal with another death. There have been four deaths of Miami players in the past 10 years.

This is my sympathy card, 'Canes. You are a great program stocked with great people. Thoughts and prayers to the Pata family and Hurricane football.

I look forward to talking football with you again, if that's ever possible. Right now, football doesn't count.

 

[devilfan02]

Still not determined whether they will play or not. Probably will. Announcement today.

They'll play. There's no way they won't and they prob should. The best way to move on is to get back on the field

 

[Dback Jon]

Very sad....