Picture Credit: Twitter
Former MMA fighter Barrington Patterson from Birmingham, England passed away after suffering a heart attack. The news was confirmed by his wife Tracey on social media on Tuesday morning on 22 March.
She wrote on Twitter: "At 6 am this morning my beloved husband had a massive heart attack. West Midlands Ambulance Service worked for over an hour to save him unfortunately it wasn’t to be. Our hearts are broken."
West Midlands Ambulance Service Operations Commander Taff Duggan said: "Oh no I am so sorry to see this. Such a gentleman always a pleasure to see him. Sending my best to you and your family."
He was known as One-Eyed Baz and was an influential figure in Birmingham and the wider region as he was working to eradicate homelessness from the area. He also was a massive
Birmingham City fan and former member of the infamous Blues’ Zulu hooligan firm. Patterson later moved out of the firm to promote non-violence and has voiced concerns on community issues.
The 56-year-old lost an eye as a child and was part of Danny Dyer's Real Football Factories documentary in 2006. A video series, where Dyer covers football's violent fan bases, firms, and the people behind them.
The Birmingham FC Twitter handle posted a heart-warming message to commemorate their die-hard fan. The tweet said, “The Club are saddened to learn of the passing of lifelong Bluenose, Barrington Patterson. All of our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time. May you rest in peace, Baz. ?”
Fellow reformed Zulu Tyson Leon, now the owner of TLG Security, said, “He was a Birmingham legend.
“He lived for his family, he lived for the Blues. He got into cage fighting and became a legend in Europe - it was like walking down the street with Mike Tyson. He done things no other black bloke had done - he went on the terraces with the Ultras.
"At matches, the police would just be watching the three of us - me, Barrington and Keith Batchelor.”
Last week Barrington posted a video that was aimed towards helping school children stay from violence. In the video, he said, "I have come to London Hall School to talk to kids about gangs, about violence, behaviour in school and everything. Some of the kids are good, man. I have got through to one or two of the kids. I hope they see sense and I hope they take in what they learn today."