Rod Rutledge

Rodrick Almar Rutledge (born August 12, 1975) is a former professional American football player who played tight end for five seasons for the New England Patriots and Houston Texans of the National Football League (NFL). He was the first player to ever catch a pass from Tom Brady, a 6-yard reception on Thanksgiving Day 2000 at the Detroit Lions. Rutledge, known more for his blocking than his pass catching, was a key member of the 2001 Super Bowl winning Patriots.