When Patrick O’Connell was growing up in Montana, he never imagined that one day he would be playing in the NFL. But after a long journey, that dream became a reality when he made his debut with the Seattle Seahawks in 2019.
O’Connell’s football career began in high school, where he was a standout quarterback for the Helena Capital Bruins. He was named the Gatorade Player of the Year for Montana in 2014 and was also selected to play in the prestigious U.S. Army All-American Bowl.
After high school, O’Connell decided to stay close to home and attend Montana State University. As a Bobcat, he was a three-year starter and set numerous records, including most passing yards in a single season and most passing touchdowns in a single game. He was also named the Big Sky Conference Offensive Player of the Year in 2017.
Despite his impressive college career, O’Connell went undrafted in the 2018 NFL Draft. He signed with the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent and spent the 2018 season on their practice squad.
In 2019, O’Connell earned a spot on the Seahawks’ 53-man roster and made his NFL debut against the San Francisco 49ers. He played in four games that season and completed two passes for 16 yards.
O’Connell’s journey from Montana to the NFL is an inspiring one. He worked hard and never gave up on his dream, and now he is living it out as a member of the Seattle Seahawks.
