Cordarrelle Patterson carved out one of the most unique and impactful careers in league history, playing 17 seasons as a running back, wide receiver, and most famously, a return specialist. He entered the league in Season 1 with the Pittsburgh Ironmen as a wide receiver, instantly making his mark as one of the most feared return men of all time. 

Every single one of his eight Pro Bowl and eight All-Pro selections came as a return specialist, a testament to his unmatched field vision, acceleration, and ability to flip games in an instant. His early years in Pittsburgh and later with the Carolina Claws and Los Angeles Lancers were defined by electric kick returns and gadget-play explosiveness.

In Season 10, Patterson’s career took a major turn when he was traded to the Baltimore Gunners and transitioned from wide receiver to running back. The move revitalized his offensive production while still allowing him to be a dangerous special teams weapon. His versatility made him a constant matchup nightmare—capable of lining up in the backfield, splitting out wide, or taking a kick to the house. 

Patterson’s time with Baltimore, followed by stints with the Tampa Bay Waves and Dallas Warhawks, showed his adaptability and commitment to team success. His efforts were rewarded in Season 14 when he helped lead Tampa Bay to an AFC title and ultimately a victory in Super Bowl XIV.

Patterson’s career totals included 22 rushing touchdowns, 6 receiving touchdowns, and 4 return touchdowns for a combined 32 scores. He appeared in nine postseasons, won six division titles, and was part of teams that reached both conference championships, going 1–0 in the AFC title game and 1–0 in the Super Bowl.