Cross Patton

Story by Shyann Montgomery

As we continued NABJ’s “A day with a student-athlete,” we caught up with 19-year-old Cross Patton, a running back for the University of Oregon Ducks football team. In his interview, he discussed his transition to college, his dream of becoming a Duck, and how the George Floyd protests promoted unity in his hometown of Atlanta, GA.

Atlanta has been known as the “Black Mecca” or the city of “Black excellence”-- a place of rich history, creativity, and business ventures. According to Patton, Atlanta is a place where a lot of people want to do something not just for themselves, but for the city. “They want to make sure our voices are heard whether it is music or something else,” says Patton. It is important to support the Black community.

Patton recalled the uprising and social unrest that was ignited this past spring and summer after the heartwrenching footage of George Floyd’s death took over social media platforms. In Atlanta, unity and empowerment were at the forefront this past summer. “It felt good because we were actually standing up to the oppressors and those that have been trying to put us down,” Patton said smiling. “We had a protest in Atlanta [and] we were making progress [by] protesting every day and it kept getting better and better. Marching while holding the signs peacefully; we were making our voices heard.”

Patton is also involved in the #MoreThanAnAthlete movement which aims to deepen the respect for our favorite professional and collegiate athletes. I encourage athletes to give back to their communities and help create safe spaces for athletes to be more than just sports figures. “This movement is about us, that we are more than what you see on the screen and on the field,” Patton said. “We have our own views and values...we are not just athletes that want to just play [ball]. We all have our voices and it doesn't matter who you are it is the right thing to speak up....that is what the movement is about to me.”

Patton had a strong high school football career at Woodward Academy in Atlanta, GA. In his senior year, Patton scored five touchdowns while rushing for 314 yards on 60 carries. During his time there he also caught 20 passes for 162 yards and a touchdown as a running back. Patton was a three-year letterman with his dream to be at Autzen Stadium for his freshman year of college.

Choosing football was simple for Patton. He and his father, Atlanta hip-hop icon Antwan André Patton (better known by his stage name Big Boi), had shared a love for the game. Patton started playing football at the age of seven and stuck with it ever since. “To come to the University of Oregon has been a dream of mine since middle school” Patton expressed. “And [with] recruiters watching was when life really started to feel like a movie... I just knew I had to make the most out of this opportunity.”

Being a student-athlete has its challenges including moving across the country and being on one’s own for the first time. When you have a team to count on it does not seem as challenging anymore. Having a team that has your back is important. When all is said and done on the field and off the field standing up for what is right is what defines a player of the game.

Photos by: Shareef Achekzai