Giants defensive line coach Andre Patterson recently revealed (via ESPN’s Jordan Raanan) that he has been battling prostate cancer this season.
He was diagnosed earlier this year and opted to continue coaching while undergoing treatment, though assistant defensive line coach Bryan Cox was on hand for any of Patterson’s absences. Cox was fired at the beginning of December due in part to his objection to a seating rearrangement on the Giants’ plane home from their Week 13 loss in New England, per The Athletic’s Dan Duggan.
Patterson, 65, has coached football for more than 40 years with time at the high school, college, and professional levels. He has been in New York since Brian Daboll was hired in 2022; prior to that, he spent 2014 to 2021 as the Vikings defensive line coach under Mike Zimmer. This is his 21st season coaching in the NFL.
Patterson shared his diagnosis with the Giants’ defensive line room, but not with the entire team. Players said that they did not notice a difference in Patterson’s energy or demeanor during his ordeal.
“There’s no drop-off. So he’s still the same dude,” defensive tackle Roy Robertson-Harris said. “If he didn’t tell us anything, we wouldn’t have known. That’s what kind of dude he is. There’s no drop-off. Like I said, he’s the same guy every day.”
Patterson revealed his diagnosis publicly to raise awareness about prostate cancer and encourage others to get checked. He has also used this personal struggle to teach his players.
“I tell my guys all the time, if all I do is teach you how to be a good football player, I’m cheating you,” Patterson said. “I have to help you with life’s journey. So we talk about things other than football a lot because my job is to also prepare them for what life is going to give them when they are no longer a football player.”
F Cancer! I hope he make s a full recovery.