NFL’s all-time kick return touchdown leader Cordarrelle Patterson remains fearless despite new fair catch rule

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Four-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion Cordarrelle Patterson is one of the most versatile players in the NFL. 

Patterson is a kick returner, wide receiver and a running back for the Atlanta Falcons. But, over the past several years, long kickoff returns in the NFL have become more and more of a rarity.

During the NFL owners' spring meetings in May, a new rule was approved that will likely incentivize kick returners to wave for a fair catch. Under the new rule, a returner can call for a fair catch anywhere within his 25-yard line.

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Cordarrelle Patterson (84) of the Atlanta Falcons runs against the New Orleans Saints during the first half of a game Sept. 11, 2022, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

If the player opts to signal for a fair catch, the receiving team's offense takes over at the 25-yard line. The rule is being billed as a one-year trial for the 2023 season.

Last season, during a Week 11 game against the Chicago Bears, Patterson recorded his ninth career kickoff return touchdown. He is the league's all-time leader in that category after breaking a tie with Josh Cribbs and Leon Washington at eight.

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Despite the rule change, Patterson says he will approach this upcoming season the same way he did last year.

"I ain’t paid too much attention to it because, honestly, I don’t feel like it affects too much of what we’ve got on around here because we’re going to be aggressive," Patterson told USA Today. "That’s what coach wants, that’s what he’s going to get from us. We’re going to fly around."

Atlanta