Professional Football Player. For five seasons (1953, 1956 to 1957 and 1960 to 1961), he played at the quarterback position in the National and American Football Leagues with the Chicago Bears, Cleveland Browns and Buffalo Bills. Born Thomas Bernard O'Connell, he first achieved greatness on the football field during his years at South Shore High School in Chicago. He continued his athletics, as he played collegiate football at the University of Notre Dame and later the University of Illinois. While as a Fighting Illini, O'Connell helped lead the school to an undefeated 9 win, 0 loss and 1 tie record during the 1951 season, and a number one ranking which culminated with a 40 to 7 win over Stanford in the Rose Bowl contest on January 1, 1952. Selected by the Bears during the 18th round of the 1952 NFL Draft, he totaled 45 regular season games. After he was acquired by Cleveland, O'Connell (along with George Ratterman and Babe Parilli) had the difficult task of succeeding Otto Graham. In 1957, he quarterbacked the Browns to the NFL Title Game that year and produced a career-high 1,229 passing yards with 9 touchdowns. His efforts earned his Pro-Bowl honors for that season. In 1960, he joined the Buffalo Bills during their inaugural season in the newly-formed American Football League and was among one of their starting quarterbacks that year. After retiring from football, he became a businessman and investor. His son Mike O'Connell was a longtime player in the NHL and went on to serve as director of player development with the Los Angeles Kings.
Professional Football Player. For five seasons (1953, 1956 to 1957 and 1960 to 1961), he played at the quarterback position in the National and American Football Leagues with the Chicago Bears, Cleveland Browns and Buffalo Bills. Born Thomas Bernard O'Connell, he first achieved greatness on the football field during his years at South Shore High School in Chicago. He continued his athletics, as he played collegiate football at the University of Notre Dame and later the University of Illinois. While as a Fighting Illini, O'Connell helped lead the school to an undefeated 9 win, 0 loss and 1 tie record during the 1951 season, and a number one ranking which culminated with a 40 to 7 win over Stanford in the Rose Bowl contest on January 1, 1952. Selected by the Bears during the 18th round of the 1952 NFL Draft, he totaled 45 regular season games. After he was acquired by Cleveland, O'Connell (along with George Ratterman and Babe Parilli) had the difficult task of succeeding Otto Graham. In 1957, he quarterbacked the Browns to the NFL Title Game that year and produced a career-high 1,229 passing yards with 9 touchdowns. His efforts earned his Pro-Bowl honors for that season. In 1960, he joined the Buffalo Bills during their inaugural season in the newly-formed American Football League and was among one of their starting quarterbacks that year. After retiring from football, he became a businessman and investor. His son Mike O'Connell was a longtime player in the NHL and went on to serve as director of player development with the Los Angeles Kings.
Bio by: C.S.
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