Rodrick Almar Rutledge (born August 12, 1975) is an American former professional football player who was a tight end for five seasons with the New England Patriots and Houston Texans of the National Football League (NFL). He was selected in the second round of the 1998 NFL draft. Rutledge was the first player to ever catch a pass from Tom Brady, a 6-yard reception on Thanksgiving Day 2000 against the Detroit Lions. Known more for his blocking than his pass catching, Rutledge was a key member of the 2001 Super Bowl champion Patriots.