Pat O'Donnell

Pat O'Donnell's Biography

Patrick Michael O’Donnell has pursued a career in American football as a punter, born on February 22, 1991. He is currently a free agent in the National Football League (NFL), his journey in the football world starting from his high school days and leading him through college teams and the NFL.

O’Donnell began his football career at Palm Beach Central High School. Here, O’Donnell showcased a strong athletic ability, receiving three letters in football and track as a member of the Broncos. As a high school athlete, O’Donnell boasted an average of 45.1 yards on punts. His skills extended to other positions on the field, serving as a kicker with a 95 percent touchback rate during kickoffs and scoring seven field goals as a senior. In addition, he played as linebacker and tight end, developing a multifaceted understanding of the game. Rivals.com ranked him as a two-star recruit, leading to his commitment to the University of Cincinnati on December 29, 2008.

His debut in college football came in 2009, where he played against Southeast Missouri State as a true freshman. Unfortunately, an early injury led to his redshirting after only three appearances. However, O’Donnell showed resilience, serving as the starting punter for the 2010 and 2011 seasons. In 2011, he played an instrumental role in leading the Bearcats to head the nation in punting average. His personal achievements were impressive, averaging 43.8 yards per punt and leading the nation with 17 punts of 50 yards or more. O’Donnell also functioned as a kicker on kickoffs, recording an average of 64.2 yards per kick. He was honored with first-team all-Big East honors and reached the semi-finals for the Ray Guy Award by the end of 2011. In the 2012 season, O’Donnell maintained his top-notch performance, receiving a spot on the second team all-Big East.

In 2013, O’Donnell decided to transfer to the University of Miami, choosing to stay closer to his family as his father battled cancer. He graduated from Cincinnati with a degree in Organizational Leadership and joined Miami as a graduate student. In Miami, he served as a kickoff specialist, holder, and punter. He set a record for the Hurricanes with a 47.1 punting average and was named the first-team all-ACC and the Hurricanes’ Special Teams MVP at the end of the season. His college career concluded with a 43.5-yard punting average, a testament to his consistently exceptional performance.

O’Donnell’s prowess caught the attention of the NFL, where he was chosen by the Chicago Bears as the 191st overall pick in the sixth round of the 2014 NFL draft. This made him the first punter selected by the Bears since 1996 and the only punter selected in that year’s draft. He signed a four-year contract with the Bears on May 13, 2014, marking the beginning of his professional football career.

In his rookie season with the Bears, O’Donnell punted 71 times for a total of 3,107 net yards, averaging 43.8 yards. His excellent performance earned him a spot on the PFWA All-Rookie Team. The following seasons were equally impressive, with O’Donnell punting for a net average of above 39.6 and setting multiple team records. His contract was extended twice by the Bears, first in 2018 for a year and again in 2019 for two years. However, after completing his contract, O’Donnell moved to the Green Bay Packers in 2022, signing a two-year contract. His performance with the Packers was exemplary, winning him the NFC Special Teams player of the week for his Week 3 performance against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Despite his clear talent, the Packers released him in August 2023.

Undeterred, O’Donnell’s next step was to join the Atlanta Falcons’ practice squad later that year. He was elevated for Week 8, but was released two days later. However, the Falcons re-signed him in December. After a brief stint on the Packers’ practice squad in January 2024, O’Donnell became a free agent again when his contract expired after the season.

Aside from his athletic career, O’Donnell maintains strong ties to family and personal life. He was born to Terrance and Michele O’Donnell and is the oldest of two children. His younger sister, Megan, has also shown an athletic prowess as an All-American rower and National Champion at Nova Southeastern University. Even with his success, he stays connected to his roots – his cousin, Christopher Bordino, was a member of the Navy Midshipmen track team. In 2019, O’Donnell proposed to Shelby Etter, and they were married in Miami in March 2020, affirming his commitment both on and off the field.