Former New England Patriots player Patrick D. Pass is facing charges in Rhode Island after he was involved in an altercation with an 82-year-old man at a Planet Fitness gym in North Providence last month, police and court records show.
The man, identified in court records as Juan V. Muriel, told police he was working out in the “30-minute express” area of the North Providence gym around 7:30 a.m. on Aug. 28. Muriel went to the number eight cleaning machine “with the intention of using it afterward,” police said.
But as he was about to start using it, a younger man, later identified as Pass, said he “used it and then threw (Muriel) to the ground,” police said.
Muriel did not report the incident that day, but went to the station on Aug. 30, records show. Muriel “did not think he was injured at the time, but since the incident, the back of his ribs has been sore,” police said.
Muriel said he did not call for a criminal investigation but “wanted the suspect to be identified and the incident to be documented,” police said.
But investigators obtained surveillance video from the fitness center that shows Pass “butting Muriel with his chest,” police said.
Police obtained an arrest warrant for 46-year-old Pass for assault and disturbing the peace. Police contacted Pass on Wednesday and he agreed to come to the station and be arrested.
He later pleaded not guilty to both counts in district court and was released on bail.
He was ordered to stay away from Muriel, records show. Over the phone, Muriel also said he did not want to discuss the incident.
Pass could not be reached for comment Thursday, but a woman who answered the phone at a North Providence address said he was not home at the time.
“But this is an absolutely ridiculous, idiotic story, so no, we will not comment on it,” she said.
Pass was drafted by the Patriots out of the University of Georgia in 2000. According to his Patriots profile, he played running back, special teams, and punt returner.
According to the documents, Pass is due back in court on January 8.
John R. Ellement can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him @JREbosglobe.
