Shaun O'Hara

Last updated

Shaun O'Hara
Shaun O'Hara.jpg
O'Hara with the Giants in 2007
No. 60
Position: Center
Personal information
Born: (1977-06-23) June 23, 1977 (age 46)
Chicago Heights, Illinois, U.S.
Height:6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:303 lb (137 kg)
Career information
High school: Hillsborough (Hillsborough Township, New Jersey)
College: Rutgers
Undrafted: 2000
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Games played:151
Games started:135
Player stats at NFL.com  ·  PFR

Shaun O'Hara (born June 23, 1977) is an American former professional football player who was a center for 11 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. He began his professional career by signing as an undrafted free agent with the Cleveland Browns, and spent the majority of his NFL career with the New York Giants. He was a three-time Pro Bowl selection.

Contents

Early years

O'Hara grew up in Hillsborough Township, New Jersey and attended Hillsborough High School (New Jersey). He also spent some of his childhood in Medina, Ohio.

College career

He attended Rutgers University in New Jersey, where he walked on and played for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights football team from 1995 to 1999.

Professional career

O'Hara's professional career began with the Cleveland Browns, where he played center and guard and after signing as a rookie free agent in 2000. [1] While a Brown, O'Hara started 38 of 54 games, including the final 34 that he played. He signed a three-year $5.4 million contract with the Giants on March 7, 2004 with the intention of playing Center, which he considers his more natural position, [2] as well as to help bolster an offensive line that was often criticized as one of the problems in the Giants' 2003 season. [3]

In his first year with the team, O'Hara's season was nearly ended by a case of athlete's foot, which developed into a staph infection, raising discussion about the incidences[ spelling? ] of staph in NFL locker rooms. [4] [5]

O'Hara re-signed with the Giants in March 2007 keeping him off the free agent market, [6] despite initial concerns about whether a deal was possible. [7] The Giants' offensive line has been viewed by some as one of the keys to the team's success, [8] which was cemented following Super Bowl XLII [9] and in the leadup thereto, [10] [11] but was seen as early as 2005. [12]

Despite initial impressions that O'Hara was not a Pro Bowl caliber player, [13] he was named a reserve in the 2008 Pro Bowl, named a starter in the 2009 Pro Bowl, and to the 2010 Pro Bowl, although he did not play due to injury. [14]

On July 28, 2011, he was released by the New York Giants. [15]

Shaun O'Hara officially announced his retirement as a New York Giant on September 3, 2012. He is now a color analyst for NFL Network and ESPN Radio, and a regular fill-in host for Good Morning Football.

Off-field activity

O'Hara was a member of the Giants' leadership council and was a team co-captain for the 2007 season. [16] He was also the Giants' team representative to the players' union and was very outspoken about the role of the players' union and its leadership. [17] [18]

He was named Giants Man of the Year for his community involvement as well as United Way's Hometown Hero in 2005 [19] and has also worked with a number of organizations to support the communities where he lives. [19] In March 2009, he was honored by the American Ireland Fund as one of the most noted and successful Irish American figures today. [20]

In April 2009, O'Hara, along with his wife Amy, launched the Shaun O'Hara Foundation, whose mission is to increase knowledge and education for life-threatening diseases for which there is limited funding. [21]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eli Manning</span> American football player (born 1981)

Elisha Nelson Manning is an American former football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 16 seasons with the New York Giants. A member of the Manning family, he is the youngest son of Archie and younger brother of Peyton. Manning played college football for the Ole Miss Rebels, where he won the Maxwell and Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Awards as a senior. He was selected first overall in the 2004 NFL draft by the San Diego Chargers and traded to the Giants during the draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shaun Alexander</span> American football player (born 1977)

Shaun Edward Alexander is an American former professional football player who was a running back for the Seattle Seahawks and Washington Redskins of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide, earning first-team All-American honors in 1999. He was selected by Seattle 19th overall in the 2000 NFL draft. In 2011, he was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joe Jurevicius</span> American football player (born 1974)

Joseph Michael Jurevicius is a former American football wide receiver. He was selected by the New York Giants in the second round of the 1998 NFL Draft. He played college football at Penn State.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David Tyree</span> American football player and executive (born 1980)

David Mikel Tyree is an American former football wide receiver and executive who played in the National Football League (NFL) for seven seasons, primarily with the New York Giants. He played college football at Syracuse University and was selected by the Giants in the sixth round of the 2003 NFL Draft. Tyree is best known for the Helmet Catch, a late-game reception in Super Bowl XLII that helped New York secure one of the greatest sports upsets of all time.

Shaun Christopher O'Shea Rogers is an American former professional football player who was a defensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Texas Longhorns. He was selected by the Detroit Lions in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft with the 61st overall pick. Rogers has also played for the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints. Running back Adrian Peterson considered Rogers one of the hardest-hitting players in the NFL.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Justin Tuck</span> American football player (born 1983)

Justin Lee Tuck is an American former professional football player who was a defensive end in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Notre Dame, and was drafted by the New York Giants in the third round of the 2005 NFL Draft, winning two Super Bowl titles with the team, both against the New England Patriots. He also played for the Oakland Raiders. Tuck graduated from the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business with an MBA in 2018. He is now an employee of Goldman Sachs.

LeCharles Vernon Bentley is an American former college and professional football player who was a center in the National Football League (NFL) for six seasons. He played college football for Ohio State University, earned consensus All-American honors, and was recognized as the best center in the country. The New Orleans Saints selected him in the second round of the 2002 NFL Draft, and he played professionally for the Saints and Cleveland Browns of the NFL. Bentley was a two-time Pro Bowl selection with the Saints. He retired after a knee injury. He was hired by the NFL as their senior advisor of player performance and development in April 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kevin Gilbride</span> American football coach (born 1951)

Kevin Bernard Gilbride is an American football head coach. He was a coach for twenty years in the NFL, spending seven of them as the offensive coordinator for the New York Giants, with whom he earned two Super Bowl rings. From 1997 to 1998, he was the head coach for the San Diego Chargers. Most recently, Gilbride served as the head coach for the New York Guardians of the XFL.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Snee</span> American football player (born 1982)

Christopher Snee is an American former professional football player who spent his entire ten-year career as a guard for the New York Giants of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for Boston College and was chosen by the Giants in the second round of the 2004 NFL Draft. Snee earned two Super Bowl rings with the Giants in Super Bowl XLII and Super Bowl XLVI, both over the New England Patriots.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shawn Andrews</span> American football player (born 1982)

Shawn Cornelius Andrews is an American former professional football player who was an offensive lineman for the Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Arkansas Razorbacks, and was a two-time consensus All-American. Philadelphia selected him in the first round of the 2004 NFL Draft, and he earned two Pro Bowl selections during his career. He was inducted to the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame in 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David Diehl</span> American football player

David Michael Diehl is an American former professional football player who spent his entire career as an offensive lineman with the New York Giants of the National Football League (NFL). He was the Giants starting left tackle on two Super Bowl championship teams, beating the New England Patriots in both games. He played college football for the Illinois Fighting Illini. The Giants selected him in the fifth round of the 2003 NFL Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kyle Shanahan</span> American football coach (born 1979)

Kyle Michael Shanahan is an American football coach who is the head coach for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). He came to prominence as the offensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons, whose offense in 2016 led the league in points scored and helped the team reach Super Bowl LI. Shanahan became the head coach of the 49ers the following season, whom he has led to three division titles, four postseason appearances, four NFC Championship Game appearances, and two Super Bowl appearances.

Bob Lectress Whitfield III is an American former professional football player who was an offensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Stanford Cardinal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steve Spagnuolo</span> American football coach (born 1959)

Stephen Christopher Spagnuolo is an American football coach who is the defensive coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League (NFL). He rejoined Andy Reid in 2019 after being a defensive assistant with him from 1999 to 2006 with the Philadelphia Eagles. He has coached four top-ten defenses as a defensive coordinator in terms of yardage. He has won four Super Bowls as defensive coordinator, one with the New York Giants and three with the Kansas City Chiefs, making him the only coordinator in NFL history to win a Super Bowl with two different franchises. Some historic defenses that Spagnuolo has coached throughout his career include the 2007 New York Giants defense and the 2023 Kansas City Chiefs defense.

Ian Ramon Allen is a former American football offensive lineman. He played in the National Football League (NFL) for the New York Giants, the Philadelphia Eagles, the Arizona Cardinals, the Atlanta Falcons, and the Kansas City Chiefs. He also played in NFL Europe with the Scottish Claymores and in the Canadian Football League (CFL) with the Montreal Alouettes. He attended college at Purdue University, where he earned a communications degree and played for the Purdue Boilermakers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Will Beatty</span> American football player (born 1985)

William Keith Beatty is a former American football offensive tackle. He played college football at Connecticut, and was drafted by the New York Giants in the second round of the 2009 NFL Draft. He won two Super Bowl rings, one with the Giants when they won Super Bowl XLVI and one with the Eagles when they won Super Bowl LII, both over the New England Patriots.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hakeem Nicks</span> American football player (born 1988)

Hakeem Amir Nicks is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the North Carolina Tar Heels, and was selected by the New York Giants in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft. Nicks has also played for the Indianapolis Colts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sebastian Vollmer</span> German gridiron football player (born 1984)

Sebastian Georg Vollmer is a German former American football player who was an offensive tackle for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Houston Cougars and was selected by the Patriots in the second round of the 2009 NFL Draft and played his entire eight-year career with the team. He was named a second-team All-Pro in 2010.

The Built Ford Tough Offensive Line of the Year was an award given annually in honor of the National Football League (NFL)'s best offensive line. The award was established after the 2016 season, and first awarded to the Dallas Cowboys at the 6th Annual NFL Honors. The award has not been given since the 2018 season.

References

  1. ↑ Zinser, Lynn (March 8, 2004). "Giants Acquire O'Hara to Play Center". The New York Times . Archived from the original on April 19, 2015. Retrieved April 6, 2009.
  2. ↑ "O'Hara Agrees to Three-Year Deal". ESPN.com. Associated Press. March 7, 2004. Retrieved April 6, 2009.
  3. ↑ Chadiha, Jeffri (September 1, 2004). "SI's 2004 NFL Scouting Report: Giants". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved April 7, 2009.
  4. ↑ "Athlete's Foot Almost Ends Giant's Season". MSNBC. November 3, 2004. Archived from the original on March 7, 2012. Retrieved April 6, 2009.
  5. ↑ Vacchiano, Ralph (November 4, 2004). "Only O'Hara's Laugh is Contagious". New York Daily News. Retrieved April 6, 2009.[ permanent dead link ]
  6. ↑ Canavan, Tom (March 2, 2007). "Giants Sign Center Shaun O'Hara". Fox News. Retrieved April 6, 2009.
  7. ↑ "Blue Bar is Lowered. Is Just Contending Enough?". New York Daily News. December 20, 2006. Retrieved April 6, 2009.[ dead link ]
  8. ↑ Schmeelk, John (April 16, 2008). "Positional Analysis: O-Line". Giants.com. Archived from the original on June 28, 2009. Retrieved April 7, 2009.
  9. ↑ Telander, Rick (October 7, 2008). "Brotherhood of the Offensive Line". Men's Journal. Archived from the original on April 6, 2009. Retrieved April 7, 2009.
  10. ↑ Schwartz, Paul (October 18, 2007). "Giants' Front Men". New York Post. Retrieved April 7, 2009.
  11. ↑ Clayton, John (February 1, 2008). "Giants' O-Line Standing Test of Time". ESPN. Retrieved April 7, 2009.
  12. ↑ Vacchiano, Ralph (October 14, 2005). "O-Line Real Key to Giants Offensive Explosion". The Giants Insider. Archived from the original on April 3, 2009. Retrieved April 7, 2009.
  13. ↑ Chadiha, Jeffri (September 6, 2004). "3 New York Giants". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on January 2, 2013. Retrieved April 6, 2009.
  14. ↑ Eisen, Michael (December 16, 2008). "Six Giants Named to Pro Bowl". Giants.com. Archived from the original on December 17, 2008. Retrieved April 6, 2009.
  15. ↑ Rosenthal, Gregg (July 28, 2011). "Release Tracker". Pro Football Talk . Retrieved July 29, 2011.
  16. ↑ Garafolo, Mike (June 12, 2008). "O'Hara Comments on Plax Situation". The Star-Ledger. Retrieved April 7, 2009.
  17. ↑ Rhoden, William C. (January 4, 2009). "Players Need to Be Thinking About Union's Leadership". The New York Times. Retrieved April 7, 2009.
  18. ↑ Schwartz, Paul (April 11, 2008). "O'Hara: Upshaw's Ego Hurting the Cause". New York Post. Archived from the original on April 23, 2009. Retrieved April 7, 2009.
  19. 1 2 Player - Shaun O'Hara - Giants.com Archived February 4, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  20. ↑ "New York Young Leaders St. Patrick's Celebration". The American Ireland Fund in New York. March 12, 2009. Retrieved April 7, 2009.
  21. ↑ Garafolo, Mike (April 28, 2009). "Shaun O'Hara says Rutgers' success in draft a testament to Greg Schiano's development of program". The Star-Ledger. Retrieved June 24, 2009.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.