Former Detroit Lions defensive end Pat O’Connor is calling it a career after nine seasons, announcing his retirement Thursday in a post on Instagram.
“After 9 incredible years, I think it’s finally time to hang up the cleats,” O’Connor captioned the post. “If you had told my younger self that I’d play this long, spend my entire career with just two teams, get drafted, and win a Super Bowl, he would have called you crazy. But here we are.”
O’Connor’s NFL path came full circle in a way that rarely happens. Detroit selected him in the seventh round of the 2017 NFL Draft, but he didn’t make the 53-man roster and soon landed with the Buccaneers. That’s where he carved out the bulk of his career, sticking in Tampa Bay for six seasons and appearing in 68 games while doing much of his work on special teams.
He eventually returned to the franchise that first drafted him, with the Lions signing him in 2024. Over the next two seasons, O’Connor saw more defensive action than he ever had before, playing 236 snaps in 2024 and 106 last year. He finishes with 88 games played, three starts, 52 tackles, 2.5 sacks and seven tackles for loss.
“I want to thank all of my teammates and friends I met along the way,” O’Connor continued. “There are far too many to name, so I won’t-but you know who you are.
Thank you for the memories, the friendships, and everything in between. Thank you to all of the coaches who impacted my career and helped me become a better player and an even better person, both on and off the field.”
The response from his Lions teammates made clear how well-liked he was in the locker room.
“Gonna miss u out there Patty O😥 scratch golfer incoming,” Aidan Hutchinson wrote.
“My dawg!!! 😟 hate this for me but love this for you my guy!
You earned it each and everyday!! Go live life brother!!”
Derrick Barnes replied.
“It was an honor brother ! Congratulations! 🫡💙💪🏻 cheers,” former Lion Roy Lopez wrote.
Craig Reynolds, Levi Onwuzurike, Tyleik Williams, Malcolm Rodriguez, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Miles Frazier also offered congratulations.
“As one chapter closes, another begins,” O’Connor concluded. “Now it’s time to enter the real world.
I’m beyond excited and ready for whatever comes next. Thank you, football, for everything.”
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