Former New York Giants fullback Patrick Pass was arrested Wednesday and charged with assaulting an elderly man at a Rhode Island gym.
Pass, better known for winning three Super Bowls with the New England Patriots, denied the allegations.
“Look at me, do you think I’m going to do that? Really? Please, come on,” Pass told Providence NBC affiliate WJAR. “I have better things to do than try to assault someone.”
Authorities said Pass and the alleged victim, 82-year-old Juan Muriel, were arguing over a piece of gym equipment at a Planet Fitness in North Providence on Aug. 28, according to local CBS affiliate WBZ. Pass then shoved Muriel in the back, sending him to the ground, cops said.
Pass was charged with assault of a person 60 years or older, WBZ reported. He was released on a personal recognizance bond.
“I felt like somebody pushed me for nothing,” Muriel told WJAR. “The next day, I can’t walk, I can’t lay down, I can’t do nothing.”
Planet Fitness told the station Pass’ membership had been canceled.
Pass, now 46, was considered an integral part of the Patriots’ running game during the 2001, 2003 and 2004 championship seasons. He totaled 526 rushing yards and three touchdowns in his career, along with 570 receiving yards and a receiving touchdown.
The Giants signed Pass during their own Super Bowl-winning 2007 season, but he only appeared in one game for the team and compiled zero stats. That was his last appearance in the league.
Pass was most recently in the news in July 2023, when he was coaching an indoor football team and suspended for storming into the stands alongside some of his players.
