Dan O’Leary
Episode 164
21 MAR 2022
He was a tight end and long snapper who was drafted by the NFL’s Buffalo Bills and went on to play for them, the New York Giants, and the Pittsburgh Steelers. He had played his college football at Notre Dame, where he was captain in his senior year, when the Fighting Irish played in the BCS Fiesta Bowl Game. After college he played in the Hula Bowl, all of which followed a high school football career that saw him play on three state championship teams, two of which were national championships. As a senior he was rated the #1 tight end in the country.
Notable guest quotes:
“My mom, she took me to Mass every single day at an early age. I think it was, this was every day pretty much before preschool and kindergarten. That’s kind of where my faith and spirituality began.”
“When I look back and think about where God’s played a major role in my life, it happened at an early age… I remember, specifically, Confirmation… that was pretty powerful for me at the time… From that point on you’re in this conversation with our Lord Jesus Christ.”
“Saint Ignatius (high school) did an unbelievable job of talking about what is God calling you to be and being a man for others.”
“I began to start setting like, just different scriptures and making that the theme of each year.”
“My theme for this year is GREAT, ya’ know, be great. And the acronym, G stands for God – and this is all in the importance of what’s important to me in life, priorities – but it would be God, relationships – with my family and with my friends, E is for exercise, A is for abundant life… and then the T is for thankfulness.”
“(The Catholic aspect of Notre Dame) was big… For me it was an easy decision. I’ve always loved Notre Dame. My parents, my family have always loved Notre Dame. Ya’ know, the campus itself is just, it’s so serene, it’s so peaceful, the grotto, the lakes there, the basilica, it made sense for me. I’m Irish Catholic.”
“If I look back in that time, it could’ve been very, very easy for me to quit but I had to rely on my faith that I knew this was going to get better.”
“I just kinda felt like, ya’ know, Our Father, ‘Thy Will be done,’ God’s Will – whatever it is, if it is to play football, it’s gonna happen. If it’s not, then it’s time to switch gears. So, I was just okay with whatever happened.”
(upon getting drafted into the NFL) “There was definitely a feeling of thankfulness and there were prayers that were said right after that. That was obviously His Will for me.”
“There was a lot of fellowship before and after football games, and once a week just fellowship meetings that we would go to.”
“God didn’t create any one of us to be average. My belief is God created every one of us to be exceptional in our own way.”
“It’s one thing to go to Mass… but I think it’s another thing to be in a real conversation with your creator, sitting down with Jesus and talking with Him.”
