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 famous American football player. He played as an offensive tackle for 13 seasons. Most of his career was with the St. Louis Rams in the National Football League (NFL).

Before joining the NFL, Pace played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes. He was named an All-American twice. The Rams chose him as the very first pick in the 1997 NFL draft. He played for the Rams for 12 seasons. He finished his career with the Chicago Bears.

Pace was a key player in college. He helped Eddie George win the Heisman Trophy. In the NFL, he was the main protector for the Rams' offense. This offense was known for gaining lots of yards. He helped seven different quarterbacks throw for over 3,000 yards in a season. He also helped seven players rush for over 1,000 yards. Pace protected three NFL Most Valuable Players: Kurt Warner (1999, 2001) and Marshall Faulk (2000).

Orlando Pace was chosen for the Pro Bowl seven times. He was also a first-team All-Pro three times. He was a big part of the Rams' "Greatest Show on Turf" offense. This team won the Super Bowl in 1999. He was added to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2013. In 2016, he joined the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Early Life and High School Football

Pace was born in Sandusky, Ohio. He was a talented athlete at Sandusky High School. He played both football and another sport. In high school football, he was very successful. Parade magazine named him an All-American offensive lineman. USA Today also named him an All-American, but as a defensive lineman.

College Football Career

Pace went to Ohio State University. He studied business there. He played for the Buckeyes football team from 1994 to 1996. He was one of the few freshmen to start on opening day for the Buckeyes.

He was named a unanimous All-American twice. In 1996, he won the Outland Trophy. This award goes to the best college football interior lineman. He also won the Lombardi Award in 1995 and 1996. This award is for the best college lineman or linebacker. He is the only player to win the Lombardi Award twice.

Pace was so good that he helped make the term "pancake block" popular. A "pancake block" is when an offensive lineman knocks a defender flat on their back. People even called him "The Pancake Man." The Ohio State Athletic Department gave out Orlando Pace pancake magnets. This was to support his run for the Heisman Trophy. Pace did not allow any sacks in his last two years at Ohio State. He finished fourth in the Heisman Trophy voting in 1996. This was very rare for an offensive lineman. It showed how dominant he was in college.

In 1999, Sports Illustrated picked Pace for their "NCAA Football All-Century Team." He was one of five Ohio State Buckeyes on that team. In 2013, he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

Professional Football Career

St. Louis Rams Years

The St. Louis Rams traded to get the first pick in the 1997 NFL draft. Pace was the first offensive lineman chosen first overall since 1968. He signed a contract with the Rams on August 15, 1997. He played 13 games in his first year, the 1997 season. He started his first game on September 28, 1997. He then started every game for the rest of that season.

In 1998, Pace started all 16 games as the left tackle. He was named a Pro Bowl alternate.

During the 1999 season, Pace played in most of the team's offensive plays. He was chosen for his first Pro Bowl. He was also a First-team All-Pro. The Rams won the Super Bowl that year.

In the 2000 season, Pace was invited to the Pro Bowl again. He started all 16 regular season games. He was a strong part of the offensive line. This line helped the Rams' offense gain the most passing yards in NFL history.

In 2001, Pace started every game for the fourth year in a row. He played in every offensive play for the Rams. He also started all three playoff games. The Rams won the NFC West title. They made it to Super Bowl XXXVI but lost. He earned his third straight Pro Bowl invitation.

In 2002, Pace missed six games due to injuries. Despite this, he still earned his fourth straight Pro Bowl invitation.

Pace signed a one-year deal with the Rams in 2003. He started all 16 regular season games and one playoff game. He helped the Rams' offense rank second in the NFL for points scored. He earned his fifth straight Pro Bowl invitation. The Rams won their third NFC West title in five years.

In 2004, Pace signed another one-year deal. He started all 16 regular season games and both playoff games. He was one of only three linemen to start every game. He helped the Rams' offense rank eighth in the NFL. He earned his sixth straight Pro Bowl invitation.

Pace became a free agent in 2005. The Rams used the "franchise tag" on him again. This meant they had to pay him a high salary. He signed a seven-year deal with the Rams.

In 2005, Pace earned his seventh straight Pro Bowl invitation. This tied him for fourth in Rams history. He started all 16 games at left tackle.

In 2006, Pace played in 8 games. He tore his triceps in November. This injury ended his 2006 season.

Pace was injured again in the Rams' first game of the 2007 season. He was out for the entire 2007 season.

In 2008, Pace played in 14 games. He missed only two games due to injury. However, the Rams struggled as a team that year. Pace was released by the Rams on March 10, 2009. This helped the team save money.

Chicago Bears Season

Pace signed a three-year deal with the Chicago Bears on April 2, 2009. He started the first 11 games as left tackle in his only season with the Bears. He got a groin injury in November. He finished the year as a backup player. He was released by the Bears on March 1, 2010. During his 13-year career, Pace earned over $75 million in salary and bonuses.

Life After Football

Pace owned a sports bar called "Big O's Ltd" in his hometown of Sandusky, Ohio. It was a family-friendly place. Pace would sometimes visit his restaurant and sign autographs. Big O's Ltd has since closed.

On December 30, 2013, Pace was inducted into the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame.

In 2015, Pace was a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. On February 6, 2016, he was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Pace lives in St. Louis, Missouri. He and his family bought a house in Henderson, Nevada, in 2025.

He was played by Brandon Murphy in the 2021 movie American Underdog: The Kurt Warner Story.