The Lead
When Tim Patrick is your babysitter, there's never a dull moment.
In a new episode of the “UBoyz” podcast, Tim Patrick discussed some of the highlights of his NFL career, but none may be as entertaining as his story of when he served as babysitter for Garett Bolles' son, Kingston.
Like most babysitters, he popped in a video — 50 Cent's seminal film, "Get Rich or Die Tryin'." And as the so-called "fun uncle," he said he let Kingston taste a sports drink and try some chips. Needless to say, Kingston was not in dreamland by the time his parents got home.
"He ended up staying up all night," Patrick said. "I waited for him to fall asleep; he didn't fall asleep so I ended giving him chips. And that didn't work out either, so when they got back, I just gave him to them."
Surprisingly, he has not been asked to watch Kingston at night anymore, Patrick said.
Still, living with Bolles, his former college teammate at the University of Utah, for his first NFL season was helpful.
"It was probably what I needed, honestly," Patrick said. "I needed that college environment when I first got into the league. I don't know how I lasted living by myself, being out there by myself. I think just having that stability out there and Garett allowing me to live with him while I was out there my first year kind of gave me that stability I needed to grow into the player I am today. So, shoutout to Garett for [housing me] my first year in the league."
Since joining the Broncos in 2017 as a practice-squad player, Patrick has emerged as a promising receiving threat for Denver. In 2020, he led the Broncos in receiving touchdowns with seven and set new personal career bests in receptions (51) and receiving yards (742).
"I've kind of just trusted the process like [Utah] Coach 'Whit' [Kyle Whittingham] says and finally got my breakout year last year, which put me on the map," Patrick said. "Now I'm where I'm at today as a bona-fide NFL receiver."
As he prepares for 2021, Patrick is not concerned with personal goals, he said. His focus is on team success.
"Just winning," Patrick said when asked about what he wants from the upcoming season. "I think winning brings everything that everybody wants in his career. And if we're winning, that means everybody is playing good, for the most part. So that's all I can ask for."
Below the Fold
With the draft just days away, NBC Sports’ Peter King has released his mock draft, and he's got the Broncos leaning toward a quarterback at No. 9. "The one thing to keep in mind with Denver: [GM George] Paton's not going to go nuts for a quarterback; he's okay with giving [QB Drew] Lock first dibs here," King wrote. "However, Paton also understands he may not be in a power position to get the next quarterback like the one he would have if this scenario plays out."
