Green Bay Packers punter Pat O’Donnell is working with the Vince Lombardi Cancer Foundation to honor his late father.
O’Donnell is currently in his first season with the Packers after spending his first eight years with the Chicago Bears. After O’Donnell first signed with Green Bay back in March, he temporarily moved into Mason Crosby‘s basement. The two bonded and immediately developed a friendship not only over football but for a cause that is far more important than the game they play.
Packers Punter Pat O’Donnell Joins Vince Lombardi Cancer Foundation
Crosby first introduced O’Donnell to the Vince Lombardi Cancer Foundation back in June during the 50th annual Lombardi Golf Classic. During that event, O’Donnell learned that Vince Lombardi died of colon cancer in 1970 at age 57. O’Donnell’s father passed away from colon cancer in 2017 after a hard fought 11-year battle.
After realizing the connection between his father and Lombardi, O’Donnell said, “I thought it was a no-brainer to join forces with them [the foundation] and try to do some good.”
Through 6 p.m. Dec. 31, fans who make a donation of $10 or more to the Vince Lombardi Cancer Foundation will have a shot at winning two tickets and two pregame sideline passes to the Detroit Lions-Packers game at Lambeau Field on Jan. 8 as part of fundraiser hosted by O’Donnell and the nonprofit. An autographed jersey and helmet from O’Donnell are also up for grabs through the event at go.cauzeo.com/lombardi.
When talking about his late father, O’Donnell said, “My dad was an amazing human being. He raised me to stay out of trouble, and I gravitated to sports really early on, so he always pushed that I was involved in something after school and really stressed the importance of my academics. He always motivated me to chase my dreams, my aspirations.”
Before his father passed, he was able to see his son get drafted by the Chicago Bears in 2014, a moment that Pat will cherish forever.
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