Former NFL player arrested in Daytona Beach home invasion, vehicle theft: Officials
Former NFL player arrested in Daytona Beach after alleged burglary
A former NFL wide receiver was arrested in Daytona Beach after police said he was found driving a stolen vehicle connected to an armed burglary in Orlando.
VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. - A former NFL wide receiver was arrested in Daytona Beach after police said he was found driving a stolen vehicle connected to an armed burglary in Orlando.
Damon Patterson, 31, faces charges including grand theft auto, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, criminal mischief and armed burglary.
Police find machete-style knife
The backstory:
Patterson was taken into custody after Daytona Beach police spotted a white Kia on Silver Beach Avenue that authorities said had been reported stolen.
Police said Patterson was behind the wheel and a machete-style knife was found on the seat next to him.
Patterson is accused of breaking into a home in Orlando before leaving the city in the stolen vehicle. Details about the alleged burglary were not immediately released.
Body camera video showed Patterson talking with Daytona Beach officers about his football career as he was taken into custody.
Patterson played football at Wekiva High School and Youngstown State University before spending time with several NFL teams. He had stints with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Pittsburgh Steelers and was last with the New England Patriots' practice squad in 2019.
What's next:
Patterson was being held without bond at the Volusia County Jail and is expected to be transferred to Orange County.
The Source: This story was written based on information provided by the Daytona Beach Police Department on August 31, 2026.