NORTH PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WJAR) – Police in Rhode Island released surveillance footage that appears to show a former NFL player pushing an older man to the floor in a gym.
Former New England Patriots fullback Patrick Pass was arrested and charged with assault in September 2024, but court documents show that instead of serving jail time, he was accepted to a diversion program in October 2025.
The court’s punishment is not sitting well with police or city officials.
“Just to bring it out. I held off quite a while. I didn’t want to taint, with the video, what was taking place in the court system,” North Providence Police Chief Alfredo Ruggiero said Thursday when asked about releasing the footage.
New England Patriots fullback Patrick Pass is brought down by New York Jets linebacker Darrell McClover after picking up a first down during the second quarter Sunday, Dec. 26, 2004, in East Rutherford, New Jersey.(AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)
The video allegedly shows the former Super Bowl winner with the Patriots confront an 82-year-old man inside a North Providence Planet Fitness in August 2024.
“Just to wrap up the investigation that is now going over a year and a half, just to wrap this up and let people know the outcome,” Ruggiero stated.
The outcome for Pass was a diversion program approved by the courts last October.
“He’s a great candidate for that program. The court agreed,” Craig Montecalvo, Pass’s lawyer, said.
The program allows the former professional football player to avoid jail time and a formal conviction.
Pass is receiving supervision and mandated community service instead.
Police released video of a gym incident involving former New England Patriots player Patrick Pass, who was accused of assaulting an 82-year-old.
Pass’s lawyer said the program is designed for one-time offenders.
“Somebody, who otherwise, has no criminal history whatsoever, who’s an upstanding member of the community, who contributes to his community in many different ways,” Montecalvo described.
But North Providence Mayor Charles Lombardi said one time is enough.
“Just because anyone is a law-abiding citizen, should you be able to do this? In our opinion, no,” Lombardi said.
Ruggiero said the court’s outcome is what compelled him to release the surveillance video to the public.
“We were very confident originally charging Mr. Pass,” Ruggiero added.
Police said the victim was wiping down a machine, assuming it was vacant, when the verbal confrontation began. The victim hit gym equipment as he fell and injured his back.
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