Robert Clendening "Emma" Patterson (May 11, 1883 – October 7, 1952) was a college football player, coach, and attorney. He moved to Houston, where he was a member of the firm of Fouts, Amerson, Patterson, & Moore. He then practiced law as a solo practicioner.
He was a prominent center for Dan McGugin's Vanderbilt Commodores of Vanderbilt University from 1903 to 1905.
Patterson played in McGugin's first year of 1904.
He was selected All-Southern in 1905.
He coached at the Georgia Military Academy, and in 1908 returned as an assistant to Vanderbilt.