University of Miami Football Player Shot, Killed

**Dan** · 11-07-2006, 10:50 PM

http://www.adelphia.net/news/read.ph...HNWC01L1_UNEWS

Miami Football Player Shot, Killed
Tuesday, November 7, 2006 11:26 PM EST
The Associated Press
By TIM REYNOLDS

University of Miami defensive lineman Bryan Pata was shot and killed Tuesday night at his apartment complex, school officials said.

The shooting occurred about two hours after the Hurricanes ended their afternoon practice.

Pata, a 22-year-old senior who grew up in Miami, was pronounced dead in the parking lot outside his apartment, and his death was ruled a homicide, Miami-Dade police spokesman Roy Rutland said.

"Right now, we're just gathering ourselves and just trying to pull ourselves together," Miami athletic director Paul Dee said.

Rutland said police were called at 7:30 p.m. to the scene and found Pata's body. He lived about 4 miles from campus.

"Tonight the University of Miami tragically lost a member of our football family, Bryan Pata," the university athletic department said in a release. "Bryan was a fine person and a great competitor. He will be forever missed by his coaches and teammates. We offer our thoughts and prayers to his family."

The university also urged anyone with information about Pata's death to call police.

The circumstances around Pata's death were not immediately clear, and Miami-Dade police did not say who made the 911 call after the shooting.

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 selected in next spring's NFL draft.

Word spread quickly around campus, and grief counselors were quickly summoned to work with Pata's teammates.

Annette Ponnock, Miami's student body president, said Pata — a fierce player on the field and a somewhat soft-spoken one off it — was well known and popular on campus.

"Everyone is just more surprised than anything else," Ponnock said. "He's such a personality on campus. It was just really, really shocking to have such a loss. ... He was a big guy so it was kind of hard to miss him. He just had a presence about him."

The Hurricanes used Pata primarily at defensive tackle this season, and he had 13 tackles and two sacks.

Miami is supposed to play at No. 23 Maryland Saturday. There has not been any announcement about whether that game will happen as scheduled.

Atlantic Coast Conference commissioner John Swofford was aware of the shooting and was working with Miami officials to gather information, conference spokeswoman Amy Yakola said.

It was at least the fourth time that tragedy involving a player has struck the Hurricanes in recent years.

In April 1996, reserve linebacker and Miami native Marlin Barnes was murdered in a campus apartment. And in 2003, former Miami safety Al Blades was killed in a car accident, about a year after former Miami linebacker Chris Campbell — who had just completed his eligibility with the Hurricanes — also died in a crash.

Pata's death was the second incident involving guns this season for the Hurricanes.

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.

Several Miami players, including Pata, said that incident was a robbery attempt, and cautioned other teammates to always be aware of their surroundings.

"We're targets because we play for the University of Miami. ... These guys, they know who we are," Miami linebacker Jon Beason said shortly after the Cooper shooting.

That incident prompted Miami coach Larry Coker to say that he did not want his players to have guns, even if they possessed them legally.

**flipn0tic** · 11-07-2006, 10:53 PM

is anyone surprised? they're a bunch of thugs.

phatalboom · 11-07-2006, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flipn0tic

is anyone surprised? they're a bunch of thugs.

Wow. Best comment ever? You're an *******.

No one knows until the investigators find anything. It may be gang related. If so, I take that insult back. That's a horrible loss for the school though. He was an outstanding player.

**MidwestDrummer** · 11-08-2006, 02:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phatalboom

Wow. Best comment ever? You're an *******.

No one knows until the investigators find anything. It may be gang related. If so, I take that insult back. That's a horrible loss for the school though. He was an outstanding player.

While not said in the best possible manner, he's pretty much right on. Miami is really living up to the thug image this year. This is an entirely different incident though, but c'mon, let's be honest. If someone comes up to you and says "University of Miami Football" and "shooting" in the same sentence, are you really that surprised. I guess we'll see what really happened when more detailed are released.

**kulnet** · 11-08-2006, 04:00 PM

As if it couldn't get any worse for that poor program. I am most sorry for his family as well as teammates.

**Bklyn295** · 11-08-2006, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flipn0tic

is anyone surprised? they're a bunch of thugs.

your officially the su idiot

**Bklyn295** · 11-08-2006, 10:16 PM

that guy was one hell of a player

**flipn0tic** · 11-08-2006, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bklyn295

your officially the su idiot

irony?

how about instead of you people resorting to petty namecalling, please disprove my statement, which is based on a consistent history.

**Bklyn295** · 11-09-2006, 07:02 PM

How does a college football player fit the profile for a thug ?

11-07-2006, 10:50 PM	#1
Dan Forever my Angel Mood: Join Date: Feb 6, '05 Location: western NY Posts: 23,472 Phone: EVO Trades: 1 Thanks: 29 Thanked 691 Times in 568 Posts SU$: 123,252	University of Miami Football Player Shot, Killed http://www.adelphia.net/news/read.ph...HNWC01L1_UNEWS Miami Football Player Shot, Killed Tuesday, November 7, 2006 11:26 PM EST The Associated Press By TIM REYNOLDS University of Miami defensive lineman Bryan Pata was shot and killed Tuesday night at his apartment complex, school officials said. The shooting occurred about two hours after the Hurricanes ended their afternoon practice. Pata, a 22-year-old senior who grew up in Miami, was pronounced dead in the parking lot outside his apartment, and his death was ruled a homicide, Miami-Dade police spokesman Roy Rutland said. "Right now, we're just gathering ourselves and just trying to pull ourselves together," Miami athletic director Paul Dee said. Rutland said police were called at 7:30 p.m. to the scene and found Pata's body. He lived about 4 miles from campus. "Tonight the University of Miami tragically lost a member of our football family, Bryan Pata," the university athletic department said in a release. "Bryan was a fine person and a great competitor. He will be forever missed by his coaches and teammates. We offer our thoughts and prayers to his family." The university also urged anyone with information about Pata's death to call police. The circumstances around Pata's death were not immediately clear, and Miami-Dade police did not say who made the 911 call after the shooting. 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 selected in next spring's NFL draft. Word spread quickly around campus, and grief counselors were quickly summoned to work with Pata's teammates. Annette Ponnock, Miami's student body president, said Pata — a fierce player on the field and a somewhat soft-spoken one off it — was well known and popular on campus. "Everyone is just more surprised than anything else," Ponnock said. "He's such a personality on campus. It was just really, really shocking to have such a loss. ... He was a big guy so it was kind of hard to miss him. He just had a presence about him." The Hurricanes used Pata primarily at defensive tackle this season, and he had 13 tackles and two sacks. Miami is supposed to play at No. 23 Maryland Saturday. There has not been any announcement about whether that game will happen as scheduled. Atlantic Coast Conference commissioner John Swofford was aware of the shooting and was working with Miami officials to gather information, conference spokeswoman Amy Yakola said. It was at least the fourth time that tragedy involving a player has struck the Hurricanes in recent years. In April 1996, reserve linebacker and Miami native Marlin Barnes was murdered in a campus apartment. And in 2003, former Miami safety Al Blades was killed in a car accident, about a year after former Miami linebacker Chris Campbell — who had just completed his eligibility with the Hurricanes — also died in a crash. Pata's death was the second incident involving guns this season for the Hurricanes. 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. Several Miami players, including Pata, said that incident was a robbery attempt, and cautioned other teammates to always be aware of their surroundings. "We're targets because we play for the University of Miami. ... These guys, they know who we are," Miami linebacker Jon Beason said shortly after the Cooper shooting. That incident prompted Miami coach Larry Coker to say that he did not want his players to have guns, even if they possessed them legally. __________________ My angel is now an angel in heaven. 5/25/2000 - 12/5/2010. Rest in peace Alaina.

11-07-2006, 10:53 PM	#2
flipn0tic Digital PCS User Join Date: Dec 1, '04 Location: Cleveland, OH Posts: 2,586 Phone: iPhone 5 Thanks: 8 Thanked 11 Times in 9 Posts SU$: 3,313	is anyone surprised? they're a bunch of thugs. __________________ http://www.youtube.com/markgobucks82 @markkun on Instagram

11-08-2006, 10:16 PM	#7
Bklyn295 Sneaker Collector Join Date: Jul 1, '05 Location: Brooklyn Posts: 2,247 Phone: HTC EVO, BB Trades: 8 Thanks: 3 Thanked 5 Times in 4 Posts SU$: 7,298	that guy was one hell of a player __________________ "You buy a Ferrari when you want to be some one , you buy a Lamborghini when you are some one "- Frank Sinatra

11-09-2006, 07:02 PM	#9
Bklyn295 Sneaker Collector Join Date: Jul 1, '05 Location: Brooklyn Posts: 2,247 Phone: HTC EVO, BB Trades: 8 Thanks: 3 Thanked 5 Times in 4 Posts SU$: 7,298	How does a college football player fit the profile for a thug ? __________________ "You buy a Ferrari when you want to be some one , you buy a Lamborghini when you are some one "- Frank Sinatra

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11-08-2006, 04:00 PM	#5
kulnet Cellular Phone User Join Date: Aug 9, '06 Location: Kingwood, TX Posts: 7,621 Phone: Treo Pro Trades: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 38 Times in 38 Posts SU$: 30,957	As if it couldn't get any worse for that poor program. I am most sorry for his family as well as teammates.

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