Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O’Connell may be a fierce football player on the field, but at home, he is a beloved son, brother, and loving husband.
Since starting his professional football career in the 2023 season, he has not demonstrated his athletic prowess in the game.
Highlights
- Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O’Connell is originally from Long Grove, Illinois.
- The young athlete is one of six children, born to Brian and Karen O’Connell.
- Aidan has four brothers – Sean, Patrick, Liam, and Seamus – and a sister named Grace.
- Sadly, the NFL quarterback lost his older brother, Sean O’Connell, in November 2022.
O’Connell suffered a bone bruise on his knee during a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on 8 December 2024.
The injury occurred when he was hit by a Buccaneer defender and had to be carted off the field.
Initially, there were concerns that the injury might be season-ending. But he had an MRI on 9 December 2024.
The result showed he had a bone bruise, which was less severe than expected. He is expected to play this week, but he missed practice on 13 and 14 December.
As reported by the Las Vegas Review-Journal, if O’Connell isn’t ready to play, Desmond Ridder, their backup quarterback, will start against his former team, the Falcons.
While Aidan O’Connell is recovering and preparing to return to the field soon, the support he receives from his parents and wife is undeniable.
Aidan O’Connell’s Parents, Brian and Karen, Are His Biggest Fans
Aidan O’Connell hails from a big and loving family. He was born on 1 September 1998, in Long Grove, Illinois.
The NFL player grew up with his parents, Karen and Brian O’Connell, and his five siblings.
The Raiders quarterback has four brothers – Sean, Patrick, Liam, and Seamus – and one sister, Grace.
Raised in Illinois, Aidan attended Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire, where he was a standout athlete in both football and basketball.
His athletic prowess was evident from a young age, and he played key roles in his high school sports teams.
The specific details about his parents’ professions are not widely known. The proud parents can often be spotted cheering their son.
In 2017, Aidan committed to Purdue University, where he decided to focus solely on football.
He did not play during his first two seasons but continued to work hard and learn from his coaches and teammates.
Aidan made his debut for the Purdue Boilermakers in 2019. His impressive performances over the next two seasons caught the attention of NFL scouts, leading him to declare for the 2023 NFL Draft.
The Las Vegas Raiders selected Aidan O’Connell in the fourth round of the draft.
Since joining the NFL, he has worked tirelessly to improve his game and contribute to his team’s success.
Many of his fans might not know, but athletic talent runs in the O’Connell family.
Aidan’s older brother, Patrick O’Connell, was a senior defensive lineman at Wheaton College.
Aidan O’Connell’s Older Brother Sean O’Connell Passed Away In November 2022
Aidan O’Connell went through immense pain after losing his older brother, Sean, in November 2022.
The athlete was very close to his late brother. Aidan shared the sad news on social media a few days later, saying the family was deeply saddened.
“We are deeply saddened to share the passing of my oldest brother, Sean,” the athlete wrote on X.
He mentioned that Sean was a huge fan of Purdue Football and a wonderful son, brother, and friend who spread joy to everyone.
“Sean was not only one of Purdue Football’s biggest fans, but he was a better son, brother, and friend. He lit up any room he walked in and all that knew him testify to his contagious joy.”
Aidan O’Connell
“We trust the Lord to provide strength and hope, and we appreciate your thoughts and prayers during this time,” the quarterback added.
A message from Aidan O'Connell and his family.
— Purdue Football (@BoilerFootball) November 27, 2022
Our thoughts and prayers are with them during this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/XDbg2d3bcU
At the time, Aidan was still playing for Purdue University. During a game against Indiana, he was reportedly seen crying on the bench.
He did not attend the post-game press conference, and his coach, Jeff Brohm, also got emotional talking about the situation.
The exact cause of Sean’s untimely passing wasn’t explained, but an autopsy suggested it might have been due to heart issues and natural causes.
Additional Information
- Aidan is married to Jael Marie O’Connell, whose maiden name is Jael Marie Johnson.
- They met at Purdue University through the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and got married in July 2022.
- Aidan O’Connell’s wife was a volleyball player at Purdue and was named the Indiana Volleyball Player of the Year in 2018.
- According to Spotrac, the Las Vegas Raiders quarterback has earned a total of $2,174,380 so far in his career.
- He signed a 4-year contract with the team worth $4,349,380, which includes a $509,380 signing bonus and a guaranteed amount of $509,380.
- His average yearly salary is $1,087,345. In 2024, he will make a base salary of $915,000.
