13 Facts About Tommy O'Connell

Thomas B O'Connell was an American collegiate and professional football quarterback who played in the National Football League for three seasons.

Tommy O'Connell played in 1953 for the Chicago Bears and in 1956 and 1957 for the Cleveland Browns.

Tommy O'Connell was recruited by Notre Dame but elected to play with his former prep teammates Rex Smith and Pete Bachouros at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Tommy O'Connell played backup duty in his rookie year of 1953, having 67 total passes that year in relief.

Tommy O'Connell then underwent military service for the next two years.

When Parilli separated his shoulder, Tommy O'Connell was tapped to start the last five games of the season.

Tommy O'Connell retired after the year only to return to football in 1960 with the American Football League.

Tommy O'Connell played for the Buffalo Bills in 1960 and 1961 and started seven combined games, throwing seven touchdowns to fourteen interceptions before retiring again.

Tommy O'Connell served as an investor in Boston after retiring.

Tommy O'Connell was to be the first offensive coordinator of the Cincinnati Bengals in 1968 but declined due to his business interests; Cincinnati hired Bill Walsh instead.

Tommy O'Connell mostly lived in Cohasset, Massachusetts in his later years with his wife, who he had five sons with.

Tommy O'Connell became involved with establishing indoor ice rinks in the state, and two of his sons became involved in professional hockey with Mike and Tim.

Tommy O'Connell died in Delray Beach, Florida on March 20,2014.