Neil O'Donnell

Neil O'Donnell (born July 3, 1966 in Morristown, New Jersey) was an NFL quarterback for 13 seasons from 1991 to 2003. He started for the Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Jets, Cincinnati Bengals, and was backup for the Tennessee Titans from 1999 to 2003.

Related Topics:
July 3 - 1966 - Morristown, New Jersey - NFL - Quarterback - 1991 - 2003 - Pittsburgh Steelers - New York Jets - Cincinnati Bengals - Tennessee Titans - 1999

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O'Donnell is best remembered for two very badly thrown passes which were intercepted and returned by Larry Brown to set up two very short Dallas Cowboys' touchdown drives in Super Bowl XXX. He also threw an interception on the game's final play.

Related Topics:
Larry Brown - Dallas Cowboys - Super Bowl XXX

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Ironically, though most remember him for his Super Bowl interceptions, he holds the all-time NFL record for having the lowest percentage of his passes intercepted. Only 2.11% of his passes were intercepted in his regular season career.

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Following the Super Bowl letdown, O'Donnell signed as a free agent with the Jets, where he was 0-6 in his first season as starter. He would play much better under new coach Bill Parcells the following year, 1997.

Related Topics:
Super Bowl - Bill Parcells - 1997

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In 1998, with the then 1-3 Bengals, O'Donnell threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to Carl Pickens with 20 seconds remaining to score the winning touchdown against 3-1 Pittsburgh. It was one of the few highlights for the Bengals that year. Though O'Donnell's 90.2 passer rating was 6th among regular starting quarterbacks, the poor defense would not allow the team much success.

Related Topics:
1998 - Carl Pickens

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From 1999 onwards, O'Donnell was Steve McNair's backup. He performed well, even leading the team to a Week 17 47-36 victory in Pittsburgh. He would be frequently released and re-signed during this period, as the Titans tried to control to salary cap.

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O'Donnell was lured out of retirement in 2003, when the Titans were desperate for a quarterback when McNair was injured. O'Donnell would retire after the season, this time for good. He now works as an analyst at WTVF, Nashville's CBS affiliate.

Related Topics:
2003 - WTVF - Nashville - CBS

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