Pat O'Donnell

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For the Australian rules footballer, see Pat O'Donnell (Australian footballer).

Pat O'Donnell
refer to caption
O'Donnell with the Chicago Bears in 2014
Personal information
Born: (1991-02-22) February 22, 1991 (age 33)
Lake Worth Beach, Florida, U.S.
Height:6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight:220 lb (100 kg)
Career information
High school:Palm Beach Central
(Wellington, Florida)
College:Cincinnati (2009–2012)
Miami (FL) (2013)
Position:Punter
NFL draft:2014 / Round: 6 / Pick: 191
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of 2022
Punts:616
Punting yards:27,764
Average punt:45.1
Longest punt:75
Inside 20:224
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Patrick Michael O'Donnell (born February 22, 1991) is an American football punter who is a free agent. He was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the sixth round of the 2014 NFL Draft, where he served as the team's punter for eight seasons. He played college football at Cincinnati and Miami.

Early life[edit]

O'Donnell attended Palm Beach Central High School, and lettered three times in football and track for the Broncos.[1] In high school, he averaged 45.1 yards on punts; He also played kicker, having a 95 percent touchback rate when kicking off, along with making seven field goals as a senior.[2] O'Donnell also played linebacker and tight end.[3]

College career[edit]

O'Donnell was ranked a two-star recruit by Rivals.com, and committed to the University of Cincinnati on December 29, 2008.[4] He made his debut with the Bearcats in 2009 as a true freshman against Southeast Missouri State, and appeared in three games before suffering an injury, causing him to redshirt.[3] O'Donnell served as starting punter in the 2010 and 2011 seasons. In the latter season, the Bearcats led the nation in punting average, while O'Donnell averaged 43.8 yards per punt, while leading the nation with 17 punts of 50 yards or more. Additionally, O'Donnell served as kicker on kickoffs, averaging 64.2 yards per kick. O'Donnell ended 2011 with first team all-Big East honors, and was a semi-finalist for the Ray Guy Award.[5] In 2012, O'Donnell punted an average of 41.8 yards, and was named to second team all-Big East.[3][6]

In 2013, O'Donnell transferred to the University of Miami, citing interests to remain close to family, as his father was suffering from cancer.[3] O'Donnell ended his career with Cincinnati with a 42.6 career punting average.[7] O'Donnell graduated from Cincinnati with a degree in organizational leadership[3] at the end of April, before transferring to Miami as a graduate student.[7] With the Hurricanes, O'Donnell served as punter, kickoff specialist, and holder. O'Donnell recorded a school-record 47.1 punting average,[2] was named first-team all-ACC and the Hurricanes' Special Teams MVP at the end of the 2013 season.[8] O'Donnell concluded his college career with a 43.5-yard punting average.[9]

College statistics[edit]

Season GP Punting
Punts Yds Avg Lng I20 50+
2009 3 7 265 37.9 50 2 1
2010 12 52 2,178 41.9 61 16 6
2011 13 63 2,760 43.8 76 26 17
2012 13 59 2,467 41.8 65 23 10
2013 13 53 2,498 47.1 71 11 23
Career 54 234 10,168 43.5 76 78 57

Professional career[edit]

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 4+1⁄8 in
(1.93 m) 		220 lb
(100 kg) 		32+1⁄2 in
(0.83 m) 		9+3⁄4 in
(0.25 m)		 4.64 s 1.62 s 2.73 s 30.5 in
(0.77 m)		 10 ft 0 in
(3.05 m)		 23 reps
All values from NFL Combine[10][11]

At the NFL Scouting Combine, O'Donnell recorded 23 repetitions on the bench press, better than 19 running backs, 21 defensive linemen (including number one draft pick Jadeveon Clowney),[2][12] and all 37 wide receivers invited.[2]

Chicago Bears[edit]

O'Donnell with the Chicago Bears, 2018

O'Donnell was drafted by the Chicago Bears with the 191st overall pick in the sixth round of the 2014 NFL Draft,[13] the only punter selected in the draft,[14] and the first punter selected by the Bears since Todd Sauerbrun in 1996.[15][16][8] He signed a four-year contract on May 13, 2014.[9]

In his rookie season in 2014, O'Donnell finished with 71 punts for 3,107 net yards for a 43.8 average.[17] In the 2015 season, he punted 70 times for 3097 yards[18] in 2015, 28 of which landed in the red zone with only four touchbacks.[19] He ended the year with a net punting average of 39.6, the second-highest in team history since the stat began to be recorded in 1966.[20]

In 2016, he finished with 68 punts for 2,994 net yards for a 44.0 average.[21]

In Week 5 of the 2017 season against the Minnesota Vikings, he threw a 38-yard touchdown pass to Benny Cunningham on a fake.[22] Later in the year, O'Donnell served as kickoff specialist against the San Francisco 49ers while kicker Cairo Santos was nursing a groin injury.[23] O'Donnell finished 2017 with 87 punts for 4,097 net yards for a 47.0 average.[24]

On March 15, 2018, O'Donnell signed a one-year contract extension with the Bears worth $1.5 million.[25] After his contract expired following the 2018 season, he received a two-year extension on March 18, 2019.[26]

Early in the 2019 season, O'Donnell served as kickoff specialist for the second time in Week 3 against the Washington Redskins with Eddy Piñeiro treating a knee injury. O'Donnell was also the backup kicker (with backup quarterback Chase Daniel serving as his holder), though Piñeiro kicked through his injury in the game.[27] O'Donnell ended 2019 with a net punting average of 40.7 yards, setting the team record previously held by Adam Podlesh (40.4 in 2011).[28]

O'Donnell signed a one-year contract extension with the Bears on March 12, 2021.[29]

As of 2021's NFL offseason, O'Donnell held at least two Bears franchise records, including:[30]

  • Most Yards / Punt (career): 45.0
  • Most Yards / Punt (season): 46.98 (2017)

Green Bay Packers[edit]

On March 18, 2022, O'Donnell signed a two-year contract with the Green Bay Packers.[31] He was named NFC Special Teams player of the week for his week 3 performance against the Buccaneers in a 14–12 victory, having seven punts with the longest 63 yards and an average of 48.4. Five of them landed inside the 20-yard line, the most for any of the team's punters in a game since 1976.[32]

On August 28, 2023, O’Donnell was released by the Packers.[33]

Atlanta Falcons[edit]

On October 28, 2023, O'Donnell was signed to the Atlanta Falcons practice squad, and elevated for Week 8.[34] He was released on October 30, then re-signed on December 22.[35] He was signed to the active roster on December 22.[36] O'Donnell was released again on December 26.[37]

Green Bay Packers (second stint)[edit]

On January 20, 2024, O'Donnell was signed to the Green Bay Packers practice squad.[38] He was not signed to a reserve/future contract after the season and thus became a free agent when his practice squad contract expired.[39]

NFL career statistics[edit]

Regular season[edit]

Year Team GP Punting
Punts Yards Avg Lng Blk
2014 CHI 16 71 3,107 43.8 61 0
2015 CHI 15 70 3,097 44.2 72 1
2016 CHI 16 68 2,994 44.0 67 1
2017 CHI 16 87 4,087 47.0 69 0
2018 CHI 16 62 2,791 45.0 65 0
2019 CHI 16 80 3,586 44.8 75 1
2020 CHI 16 64 2,924 45.7 64 1
2021 CHI 17 62 2,865 46.2 72 0
2022 GB 17 52 2,313 44.5 72 2
Career 145 616 27,764 45.1 75 6
Source: pro-football-reference.com

Postseason[edit]

Year Team GP Punting
Punts Yards Avg Lng Blk
2018 CHI 1 6 243 40.5 49 0
2020 CHI 1 7 281 40.1 49 0
Career 2 13 524 40.3 49 0
Source: pro-football-reference.com

Personal life[edit]

O'Donnell was born the oldest of 2 children to Terrance and Michele O'Donnell. His sister, Megan O'Donnell, was an All-American rower and National Champion at Nova Southeastern University. His cousin, Christopher Bordino, was a member of the Navy Midshipmen track team.[40]

In February 2019, he became engaged to Shelby Etter. In March 2020, Etter and O'Donnell got married in Miami.

References[edit]

  1. ^ Finley, Patrick. "Ex-Miami, Palm Beach Central punter Pat O'Donnell earning fans, nickname with Bears". The Palm Beach Post. Retrieved January 31, 2018.
  2. ^ a b c d Mayer, Larry (May 15, 2014). "O'Donnell to reunite with Bostic". Chicago Bears. Retrieved May 15, 2014.
  3. ^ a b c d e Mayer, Larry (May 10, 2014). "Bears choose punter in Round 6". Chicago Bears. Retrieved May 17, 2014.
  4. ^ "PATRICK O'DONNELL". Rivals.com. Retrieved May 17, 2014.
  5. ^ "Pat O'Donnell Named To Ray Guy Award Watch List". Cincinnati Bearcats. July 12, 2012. Archived from the original on April 2, 2016. Retrieved May 17, 2014.
  6. ^ "Pat O'Donnell College Stats". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved January 31, 2018.
  7. ^ a b Groeschen, Tom (April 16, 2013). "All-league punter O'Donnell transferring". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Archived from the original on May 18, 2014. Retrieved May 17, 2014.
  8. ^ a b "Bears Pick Punter Pat O'Donnell in 6th Round". WBBM-TV. May 10, 2014. Retrieved May 17, 2014.
  9. ^ a b Neveau, James (May 13, 2014). "Bears Sign Ferguson, O'Donnell to Four-Year Contracts". WMAQ-TV. Retrieved May 17, 2014.
  10. ^ "Pat O'Donnell Draft Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved May 11, 2014.
  11. ^ "2014 NFL Draft Scout Pat O'Donnell College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved February 4, 2024.
  12. ^ Cash, Rana (February 24, 2014). "Jadeveon Clowney bench presses less than a punter at NFL Combine". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved May 17, 2014.
  13. ^ "2014 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
  14. ^ Mayer, Larry (May 17, 2014). "Rookie punter shows strong leg". Chicago Bears. Archived from the original on February 1, 2018. Retrieved May 18, 2014.
  15. ^ "Chicago Bears All-Time Draft History". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 31, 2018.
  16. ^ "2014 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 31, 2018.
  17. ^ "Pat O'Donnell 2014 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 31, 2018.
  18. ^ "Net Punting Average Leaders – All Players". ESPN. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
  19. ^ Mayer, Larry (January 22, 2016). "Special teams in NFL Rankings". Chicago Bears. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
  20. ^ Mayer, Larry (February 15, 2016). "Position focus on special teams". Chicago Bears. Retrieved February 15, 2016.
  21. ^ "Pat O'Donnell 2016 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 31, 2018.
  22. ^ "Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears". Pro-Football-Reference.com. October 9, 2017. Retrieved January 31, 2018.
  23. ^ Williams, Charean (December 4, 2017). "Bears sign Mike Nugent, place Cairo Santos on injured reserve". Profootballtalk.com. Retrieved September 24, 2019.
  24. ^ "Pat O'Donnell 2017 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 31, 2018.
  25. ^ "Bears re-sign Pat O'Donnell". WindyCityGridiron.com. March 15, 2018.
  26. ^ Finley, Patrick (March 18, 2019). "Bears bring back punter Pat O'Donnell for 2 years, $4 million". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved March 18, 2019.
  27. ^ Lieser, Jason (September 23, 2019). "Bears' Eddy Pineiro kicks through pain vs. Redskins, vows to be ready for Vikings". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved September 24, 2019.
  28. ^ Mayer, Larry (December 29, 2019). "Quick Hits: Pineiro finishes with a flourish, Robinson continues to shine". Chicago Bears. Retrieved December 30, 2019.
  29. ^ Mayer, Larry (March 12, 2021). "Roster Move: O'Donnell agrees to 1-year deal". ChicagoBears.com. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
  30. ^ "Chicago Bears Career Kicking & Punting Leaders". Pro Football Reference.
  31. ^ "Packers sign P Pat O'Donnell". Packers.com. March 18, 2022.
  32. ^ "Pat O'Donnell named NFC special teams player of the week". ProFootballTalk. September 28, 2022. Retrieved September 28, 2022.
  33. ^ "Packers release P Pat O'Donnell". Packers.com. August 28, 2022.
  34. ^ Bair, Scott (October 28, 2023). "Bradley Pinion added to injury report, Falcons designate two practice squad elevations". AtlantaFalcons.com.
  35. ^ "Falcons sign P Pat O'Donnell to practice squad, cut LB Frank Ginda". Falcons Wire. USA Today. December 22, 2023.
  36. ^ Urben, Matt. "Falcons sign P Pat O'Donnell to practice squad, cut LB Frank Ginda". Falcons Wire. Retrieved December 23, 2023.
  37. ^ Alfano, Jonathan. "Falcons Sign Linebacker, Cut Punter To Kick Off Week 17 vs. Bears". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
  38. ^ "Packers sign P Pat O'Donnell to practice squad, elevate LB Keshawn Banks for gameday". packers.com. January 20, 2024. Retrieved January 20, 2024.
  39. ^ Kruse, Zach (January 22, 2024). "Packers sign 14 practice squad players to reserve/future contracts". USA Today.
  40. ^ "Pat O'Donnell". Cincinnati Bearcats. Retrieved May 17, 2014.

External links[edit]

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