The Madrid Bravos have landed their first American import on the offensive side of the ball, as on Wednesday the team announced the signing of receiver Willie Patterson.
Patterson signed with the Rhein Fire halfway through last season, and with his 4.5 40 yard speed immediately contributed to the league’s best offense. In six regular season games, he recorded 30 catches for 506 yards and six touchdowns. He played in one playoff game, the semifinal matchup against the Frankfurt Galaxy, in which he had four catches for 63 yards, though unfortunately he suffered an injury in this game which caused him to miss the championship game. He also had six carries for 76 yards and a touchdown in his brief time with the Fire, and returned both a punt and a kickoff for a touchdown as well. Of course, he was part of a team that was dominant all season long and finished the season as undefeated champions.
The 5’11”, 185 pound native of Tacoma, Washington played collegiately at Montana State University at the NCAA Division I FCS level. His first two seasons of 2018 and 2019 were shortened due to injury, and his 2020 season was canceled due to COVID-19. In 2021, he appeared in every game, and recorded 29 catches for 392 yards and four touchdowns. His senior season of 2022 was his best year, when he was All-Conference WR for the Big Sky after catching 44 passes for 626 yards and nine touchdowns. Patterson was a part of some great Montana State teams, as the Bobcats made it to the FCS championship game in 2021 and the semifinals in 2022.
In Patterson, the Bravos are getting a versatile playmaker with ELF experience who can have an impact in the passing, rushing, and return games. He is yet another big signing in a busy offseason for a team that will play its first ever game in a few months. He joins other impact players like Alejandro Fernandez, Kevin Fortes, and fellow American Luke Glenna. Madrid is not done yet, as they still need to fill out their roster and sign a couple more imports, including a quarterback. If they keep making splashes like this, they could have the chance to be the best expansion team in the brief history of the ELF.
"Mr. Do It All" arrives in Madrid! 😮💨😮💨 @wpatterson__ @ELF_Official pic.twitter.com/7iKYyTYJZ8
— Madrid Bravos (@MadridBravos) January 10, 2024