James Russell Patton (born September 29, 1933 – December 22, 1972) was an American football defensive back in the National Football League for the New York Giants. He was a five-time Pro Bowler. Patton played college football at the University of Mississippi and was drafted in the eighth round of the 1955 NFL Draft. Patton was killed in an automobile accident on December 22, 1972. He was the only passenger in the car, and no other vehicles were involved. The accident happened near Villa Rica, Georgia. He was driving to Virginia to see his sister who was dying of cancer as reported by his sons.