Orlando Pace facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Orlando Pace

Pace in 2018
No. 76
Position:	Offensive tackle
Personal information
Born:	(1975-11-04) November 4, 1975 (age 49) Sandusky, Ohio, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
Weight:	325 lb (147 kg)
Career information
High school:	Sandusky
College:	Ohio State (1994–1996)
NFL Draft:	1997 / Round: 1 / Pick: 1
Career history
St. Louis Rams (1997) Chicago Bears (2009)
Career highlights and awards
Super Bowl champion (XXXIV) 3× First-team All-Pro (1999, 2001, 2003) 2× Second-team All-Pro (2000, 2004) 7× Pro Bowl (1999–2005) NFL 2000s All-Decade Team Outland Trophy (1996) 2× Lombardi Award (1995, 1996) UPI Lineman of the Year (1996) Jim Parker Trophy (1996) 2× Unanimous All-American (1995, 1996) Big Ten Most Valuable Player (1996) Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year (1996) 2× Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year (1995, 1996) Big Ten Freshman of the Year (1994) 2× First-team All-Big Ten (1995, 1996)
Career NFL statistics
Games played: 169 Games started: 165 Fumble recoveries: 7
Player stats at PFR
Pro Football Hall of Fame
College Football Hall of Fame

Orlando Lamar Pace (born November 4, 1975) is a former American football player. He was an offensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL) for 13 seasons. He played most of his career with the St. Louis Rams.

Pace was a star college football player for the Ohio State Buckeyes. He was named an All-American twice. The Rams chose him as the very first player in the 1997 NFL draft.

During his college years, he helped protect Eddie George, who won the Heisman Trophy. In the NFL, Pace was a key part of the Rams' offensive line. This line helped the team have one of the best offenses in football.

He protected star players like Kurt Warner (who won MVP in 1999 and 2001) and Marshall Faulk (MVP in 2000). Pace retired as a seven-time Pro Bowl player and a three-time first-team All-Pro selection.

Pace was a big reason the Rams' offense, known as "The Greatest Show on Turf", won their first Super Bowl title in Super Bowl XXXIV. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2013. Later, he joined the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2016.

Early Life and High School Football

Orlando Pace was born in Sandusky, Ohio. He was a talented athlete at Sandusky High School, playing two sports. He was very successful in football.

He was named an All-American by Parade magazine as an offensive lineman. USA Today also named him an All-American, but as a defensive lineman. This shows he was great on both sides of the ball.

College Football Career

Pace went to The Ohio State University. He studied business and played for the Ohio State Buckeyes football team from 1994 to 1996. He was only the second new college student (called a true freshman) to start a game for the Buckeyes on opening day.

He was named an All-American twice, meaning he was one of the best college players in the country. In 1996, he won the Outland Trophy. This award goes to the best college football interior lineman.

Pace also won the Lombardi Award in both 1995 and 1996. This award is for the best college lineman or linebacker. He is the only player to win the Lombardi Award twice. He is also one of only twelve players to win both the Outland Trophy and the Lombardi Award.

He was so good that he finished fourth in the voting for the 1996 Heisman Trophy. This is very rare for an offensive lineman. It showed how dominant he was in college.

The "Pancake Block"

Pace was so powerful that the term "pancake block" became very popular because of him. A "pancake block" happens when an offensive lineman knocks a defender completely onto his back. Pace was even nicknamed "The Pancake Man."

The Ohio State Athletic Department gave out Orlando Pace pancake magnets to promote his Heisman Trophy campaign. Pace was incredibly effective, not allowing any sacks in his last two years at Ohio State.

In 1999, Sports Illustrated picked Pace as a starting offensive tackle for their "NCAA Football All-Century Team." This team featured the best college football players of all time. In 2013, he was honored by being inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

Professional Football Career

St. Louis Rams Years

The St. Louis Rams chose Orlando Pace as the first overall pick in the 1997 NFL draft. This was a big deal because he was the first offensive lineman picked first overall since 1968.

Pace played 13 games in his first year, the 1997 season. He started his first game on September 28, 1997, against the Oakland Raiders. He then started every game for the rest of that season.

In the 1999 season, Pace was chosen for his first Pro Bowl. This is an honor for the best players in the league. He was also named a First-team All-Pro. This was the year the Rams won Super Bowl XXXIV, and Pace was a key part of their success.

Pace continued to be a top player. He earned Pro Bowl invitations for seven years in a row (1999-2005). He was a leader on the offensive line that helped the Rams' offense become one of the best in NFL history. This offense was famous for its passing game.

He helped the Rams reach Super Bowl XXXVI in 2001, though they lost to the New England Patriots. Even when he missed some games due to injuries in 2002, he still made the Pro Bowl.

Pace had some contract disagreements with the Rams, which sometimes made him miss parts of the preseason. However, he always returned to play. In 2005, he signed a big contract to stay with the Rams.

In 2006, Pace suffered a serious triceps injury that ended his season early. He also missed most of the 2007 season due to another injury. In 2008, he played in 14 games, but the Rams struggled as a team.

Because of his injuries and the team's need to save money, the Rams released Pace in March 2009.

Chicago Bears Years

After leaving the Rams, Pace signed a three-year deal with the Chicago Bears on April 2, 2009. He started the first 11 games of the 2009 at left tackle.

However, he got a groin injury in November and finished the season as a reserve player. He was released by the Bears in March 2010, ending his 13-year NFL career.

Later Life and Honors

Orlando Pace was inducted into the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame in December 2013. This honored his amazing college career.

On February 6, 2016, he achieved one of football's highest honors. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. This means he is recognized as one of the greatest players in NFL history.

Pace lives in St. Louis, Missouri. He was also shown in the 2021 movie American Underdog: The Kurt Warner Story.