Pat O’Connor, a former Detroit Lions seventh-round draft pick and Super Bowl champion, retired from the NFL on Tuesday after nine seasons. The 32-year-old defensive lineman announced his decision via a statement. Multiple outlets—Pride of Detroit, Yahoo Sports, and SI.com—confirmed the move.
O’Connor was selected by the Lions in the 2017 NFL Draft with the 250th overall pick. He appeared in 31 games for Detroit across three seasons, primarily on special teams and as a rotational interior lineman. His early career was defined by competition for a roster spot; he carved a role through effort, not pedigree.
The Super Bowl chapter came in 2020. O’Connor signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and played a key depth role during their championship run. He recorded 1.5 sacks in the regular season and logged snaps in Super Bowl LV. Winning a ring with Tom Brady marked the peak of his underdog arc.
His career spanned 117 regular-season games across four teams. O’Connor’s durability and locker-room presence—often described as a “glue guy”—extended his tenure. The physical toll of nine NFL seasons factored into his decision to retire at age 32, per multiple reports.
Lions head coach Dan Campbell praised O’Connor’s professionalism. “He earned everything he got,” Campbell said, per Pride of Detroit. Teammates cited his relentless work ethic and selflessness. O’Connor finishes with 78 tackles, 6.5 sacks, and one forced fumble.
O’Connor’s journey—from a late-round pick to a Super Bowl champion—highlights the value of perseverance. He has not announced post-NFL plans, but potential roles in coaching or media have been discussed. His story remains a blueprint for every seventh-rounder and undrafted player.
💡 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: Who is Pat O’Connor and why did he retire?
- A: Pat O’Connor is a former NFL defensive lineman who retired after nine seasons. He was a seventh-round draft pick by the Detroit Lions in 2017 and won a Super Bowl with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2020. The physical toll of the game influenced his decision.
- Q: What teams did Pat O’Connor play for in his NFL career?
- A: O’Connor played for four teams: the Detroit Lions, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and two others during his 117 regular-season games.
- Q: What were Pat O’Connor’s career stats?
- A: He finished with 78 tackles, 6.5 sacks, and one forced fumble, primarily as a rotational interior lineman and special teams contributor.
- Q: Was Pat O’Connor a Super Bowl champion?
- A: Yes, he won Super Bowl LV with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2020, playing a key depth role and recording 1.5 sacks that season.
Extended Reading
Detailed career statistics and team-by-team splits are available via Pro Football Reference . The Pride of Detroit archive contains full coverage of O’Connor’s Lions tenure. SI.com and Yahoo Sports provided the initial retirement reports.