Cordarrelle Patterson, a four-time Pro Bowler and NFL’s all-time leader in kickoff return touchdowns, was arrested early Saturday morning in Clover, Tennessee, on a domestic assault charge. The 35-year-old former NFL return specialist was taken into custody by the Sevierville Police Department and released later the same day at 10:15 p.m., according to documents from the sheriff’s office.
TMZ Sports was first to report the arrest. No further details have been made public beyond the official arrest records.
Patterson’s last NFL season was in 2024 with the Pittsburgh Steelers, who released him last summer before the 2025 campaign. He had signed a two-year contract with Pittsburgh in April 2024 but only played the one season. On social media at the time of his release, Patterson wrote, "Breaking news … Pittsburgh Steelers release old washed up Cordarrelle Patterson on his day off."
During his single season with the Steelers, Patterson returned 11 kickoffs for 240 yards. Offensively, he was used in gadget roles, catching 12 passes for 80 yards and one touchdown, as well as rushing 32 times for 135 yards.
Before joining Pittsburgh, Patterson spent three seasons with the Atlanta Falcons, where he started 24 of his 61 career offensive starts. His best offensive numbers came in 2021, when he recorded 52 catches for 548 yards and five touchdowns. The following year, he had a career-high 695 rushing yards and eight touchdowns.
Patterson’s most significant impact came as a return specialist. He led the NFL in kick return yardage twice, in 2019 and 2020, both seasons with the Chicago Bears. He earned first-team All-Pro honors as a kick returner four times and was selected to the NFL’s 2010s All-Decade team. Patterson holds the NFL record for most kickoff return touchdowns with nine.
His career began with the Minnesota Vikings, who drafted him in the first round in 2013 after his college career at Tennessee. Patterson also won a Super Bowl ring with the New England Patriots, beating the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LIII.
At this stage, the domestic assault charge remains an allegation, and no further comment has been issued by Patterson or his representatives. The Sevierville Police Department has not released additional information on the circumstances of the arrest.
According to CBS.