Patrick Hape

Patrick Stephen Hape is a former American football fullback and tight end for the Denver Broncos, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Houston Texans of the NFL.

Patrick Hape played 4 seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as a tight end, and 5 seasons with the Denver Broncos, although he did not play in 2005. His career high in receptions came in 2001 when he had 15 catches for 96 yards and 3 touchdowns in his first year with the Broncos. In eight seasons, Hape managed to grab 51 receptions for 287 yards and 11 touchdowns. 22% of his career receptions were touchdowns.^[1] He also scored the very first regular season touchdown at Invesco Field at Mile High.

In December 2000, Hape was fined $5,000 by the NFL for excessive endzone celebration with teammates Keyshawn Johnson and Dave Moore.^[2]

He was known for his versatility, outstanding blocking, durability in remaining rather injury-free, reliability near the goaline, ability to play the H-Back position (a position developed by coach Joe Gibbs), and a colorful personality in the locker room.

Signed a three-year, $1.7 million contract with the Broncos in April, 2004,^[3] only to be cut by Denver on August 30, 2005.^[4]

In late May 2006, free agent jack-of-many-trades Patrick Hape was briefly reunited with his former offensive coordinator, Gary Kubiak, signing a contract with the Houston Texans after being out of the league in 2005.^[5] He was released by the Houston Texans less than three months later essentially ending his active NFL career.^[6] He is no longer listed as an active NFL player, nor has he explicitly retired.^[7]

Hape is also friends with former-Buccaneer teammate, Mike Alstott.

As a Buccaneer, he wore jersey #82. As a Bronco, he switched to #86. In his brief stint as a Texan in 2006, he wore #45.

He is an avid golfer even winning the Town of Castle Rock Celebrity Golf Tournament in 2004, playing with other Denver Bronco teammates.^[8]

He went on bowling excursions to bolster team chemistry while in Denver with then-Bronco teammates including Matt Lepsis, Tom Nalen, and Jeb Putzier.^[9]

The future NFLer earned all-state accolades while playing tight end, linebacker and running back at Brooks High School in Alabama. Hape rushed for 660 yards and scored seven touchdowns as a prep. At the University of Alabama, Patrick Hape majored in Business Management.^[10]

References