By Ross Jones, FOXSports.com While hundreds of first-year players invade Aurora, Ohio for the NFL Rookie Symposium, some have already met the harsh reality that comes with being a professional athlete. “People that wouldn’t talk to you or give you the time of day, now they magically appear and have your number,” 49ers rookie wide receiver Quinton Patton told FOXSports.com in a telephone interview on Tuesday. “They ask you for little things and stuff like that.” Patton plans on making the most of his time at the symposium as he has reached out to his advisors on how to make the most of this unique opportunity. “They told me to bring a pen and a piece of paper because I’m going to be taking a lot of notes,” Patton said with a laugh. Although the annual symposium tackles a bunch of topics, the incoming rookie from Louisiana Tech believes the most beneficial piece of advice will be how to handle his finances. “Now that we have a decent amount of money, you have to learn how to spend it and know the do’s and don’t’s of the NFL.” Patton, who was selected in the fourth round of the 2013 NFL Draft, says he doesn’t feel the added pressure now that some wide receivers have suffered injuries. “I put that pressure on myself to excel because I want to play. The only way that you’re going to be great at what you do is be your biggest critic.” Some players need guidance more than others, and by the sounds of how Patton has performed in OTAs and how he’s carried himself off the field, there’s a general feeling that he’ll make the transition with ease. Questions? Comments? Send them to lacesoutmail@gmail.com and we might respond in our weekly mailbag!
