“When I was still living in Red Deer, this wasn’t the goal. It wasn’t even a thought,” says O’Donnell. “I played football because I loved being out there and competing. I worked really hard and dove right in, which led me to the University of Alberta.”
Four years later, undrafted by NFL teams, mind you, here he is under the brightest lights the sport has to offer, but it didn’t come without some touch-and-go moments.
“When I was injured last year, they told me I had a 20 per cent chance of never playing football again. So I knew this may be my last chance to ever play in the NFL,” he says. “I’ve tried to have fun while working hard to get back. I had a good pre-season in Indianapolis, then got released. The Cardinals saw my tape, gave me an opportunity, and I’m very grateful for that.”
Personal highlights to this point include getting reps in recent games against elite squads and players, including Cleveland’s defensive line, and the Rams’ d-line which includes 10-year veteran Aaron Donald.
“I used to watch some of these guys on TV during high school, so it’s awesome.”
O’Donnell recalls playing in provincials with Thurber, beating Lacombe in a third place game one year. The former baseball player and wrestler has some simple advice for players of that age looking to level up.
“Something that’s helped me is setting attainable goals, ones you can beat, then keep setting new ones,” he says.
“Personally, my goal right now is to settle into my role with this team and keep it. That’s my frame of mind as we have a couple people coming back from injuries.”
O’Donnell didn’t watch much football growing up, he admits; it was mostly the Grey Cup and Super Bowl he’d tune in for.
As for his CFL rights, those belong to the Edmonton Elks, according to 3downnation.comwhich also notes he was named a first-team All-Canadian while at the U of A in 2019, was invited to the prestigious East-West Shrine Game, and then was drafted by the Montreal Alouettes
O’Donnell’s CFL rights were traded to Edmonton as part of a deal between the two teams in May 2022 that saw the Als acquire the first overall pick in the 2022 CFL Draft.
O’Donnell and the NFC West’s 2-10-0 Cardinals suit up next on Dec. 3 on the road against the AFC North’s 7-4-0 Pittsburgh Steelers.
2023-11-30 19:20:09
#Red #Deers #Carter #ODonnell #enjoying #time #NFLs #Arizona #Cardinals
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