Patton had an interception for his second season, but he found himself at a disadvantage next to heavier players that weighed more than his 180-pound frame.

When once asked how he would deal with a player such as Jim Brown when breaking up the middle, he stated the following: “I don't watch his head.

He can't wiggle that belt buckle.”[5] He also stated that he would essentially try to pinpoint the location of a pass coming for a receiver within the vicinity of their wishbone.

Facing the Chicago Bears for the 1956 NFL Championship Game, Patton recorded an interception alongside teammate Bill Svoboda as the Giants cruised to a 47–7 victory.

Allie Sherman, who coached Patton in his later years, called him a competitor who “had the three qualities found in the best players —consistency, top performance and great heart.”[5] In 1972, he was named to the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame.

[9] Patton is second in Giants history for most interceptions next to Emlen Tunnell, who he played with for four seasons; Tunnell was among numerous defensive teammates that Patton played with that ended up in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, which included Sam Huff and Andy Robustelli.

[10][11] The Professional Football Researchers Association named Patton to the "PRFA Hall of Very Good" class of 2010.