‘I have better things to do’: Former Patriots player speaks out after Planet Fitness assault arrest

NORTH PROVIDENCE, R.I. — A former NFL player who won three Super Bowl championships with the New England Patriots denied assaulting an 82-year-old man inside a Planet Fitness in Rhode Island last month following his arrest on Wednesday.

Patrick Pass, 46, surrendered to authorities on charges of assault on a person over 60 causing bodily injury and disorderly conduct, according to the North Providence Police Chief Alfredo Ruggiero.

Pass was booked on the charges, arraigned, and released on $10,000 bail after a warrant stemming from an investigation into the alleged incident was issued for his arrest, Ruggiero said during a Thursday news conference.

“Mr. Pass is a town resident. We gave him the courtesy to come to the station, which he did on his own accord,” Ruggiero explained. “I believe it was within forty minutes of our phone call.

Officers responding to a report of an assault at the workout facility in North Providence on Aug. 28 found the elderly victim suffering from injuries to his lower back, police said.

Ruggiero alleged that Pass shoved the man, causing him to fall to the ground, after an apparent argument over a piece of exercise equipment, an investigation into the incident revealed.

“Mr. Pass was on, so to speak, in the vicinity of, when the victim came over to use that piece of equipment. He started wiping it down,” Ruggiero explained. “A verbal confrontation began, which escalated to Mr. Pass pushing the victim to the ground.”

When WJAR-TV asked Pass about the allegations after his arrest, the eight-year NFL veteran told the news outlet, “Look at me, do you think I’m going to do that? Really? Please, come on...I have better things to do than try to assault someone.”

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Patriots v Bills X Pass 16 Dec 2001: Patrick Pass #35 of the New England Patriots runs the ball as Avion Black #89, Pierson Prioleau #23 and Raion Hill #39 of the Buffalo Bills try to stop him during their game at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, New York. The New England Patriots won the game 12-9 . DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit: Rick Stewart/Allsport (Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

Pass appeared in Super Bowls XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX and started at fullback in New England’s Super Bowl XXXIX victory over Philadelphia.

In seven seasons with New England, Pass tallied more than 500 rushing yards and scored three touchdowns.

Pass is due back in court in December.

An investigation is ongoing.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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