Orlando Pace

Lore & Background

Orlando Pace was born in Sandusky, Ohio. He attended Ohio State University, where he majored in business and played for the Buckeyes football teams from 1994 to 1996. He was only the second true freshman ever to start on opening day for the Buckeyes. He was a two-time unanimous All-American, won the Outland Trophy in 1996, and won the Lombardi Award in 1995 and 1996, becoming the only two-time winner of that award and the most recent (through 2023) offensive lineman to be honored. He is one of a select group of players to have won both the Outland Trophy and the Lombardi Award. He finished fourth in the 1996 Heisman Trophy voting, the highest finish for a lineman since Steve Emtman in 1991. Pace did not allow a sack in his last two years at Ohio State. He was nicknamed 'The Pancake Man.' In 1999, Pace was selected as a starting offensive tackle by Sports Illustrated in their 'NCAA Football All-Century Team.' He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2013.

In Their Own Story

The roar of the Edward Jones Dome faded into a muffled hum as Pace locked eyes with the opposing edge rusher. The snap echoed, and instantly, the gridiron became his domain. With a low center of gravity and explosive first step, he absorbed the hit that would have crushed lesser men, turning it into a gentle nudge. Behind him, Kurt Warner scanned the field, knowing without looking back that the pocket was safe, thanks to the silent guardian in blue and gold.

Reader's Guide

Orlando Pace played 13 NFL seasons, primarily with the St. Louis Rams, and spent his final season with the Chicago Bears. He was selected first overall in the 1997 NFL draft by the Rams. He retired as a seven-time Pro Bowl and three-time first-team All-Pro selection. With the Rams, Pace was recognized as the cornerstone of an offensive line that blocked for an offense with the most gross yardage, second-highest completion percentage, and fifth-most touchdown passes during his 12 years with the team. Under Pace's protection, the Rams passing offense compiled more than 3,000 yards per season in each of the years he played, seven different quarterbacks eclipsed 3,000 yards in a season, and seven players rushed for 1,000 yards. Pace also protected the league's Most Valuable Player (MVP) recipient for three consecutive seasons, blocking for 1999 and 2001 MVP Kurt Warner and 2000 MVP Marshall Faulk.

Did You Know?

• Pace was the first offensive lineman since Ron Yary in 1968 to be drafted first overall.
• He was a two-sport athlete at Sandusky High School, named to the Parade magazine high school All-America team as an offensive lineman and the USA Today All-America team as a defensive lineman.
• Pace lined up at defensive tackle during some goal line situations during his junior year at Ohio State.
• The term 'pancake block' gained popularity at Ohio State due to Pace's play.
• Pace did not allow a sack in his last two years at Ohio State.