Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman Carter O'Donnell (#61-centre) during the Week 11 regular season game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Houston Texans on Sunday, Nov 19, 2023 in Houston, TX. (Courtesy: Arizona Cardinals)

By Josh Hall | @Vancan19

under the brightest lights

Red Deer’s Carter O’Donnell enjoying time with NFL’s Arizona Cardinals

Nov 30, 2023 | 12:20 PM

It was a bit of a bumpy road to get where he is, but Red Deer’s Carter O’Donnell is now soaking in the spotlight that comes with playing in the NFL.

O’Donnell, 24 and an alum of Lindsay Thurber, finds himself as an offensive lineman for the Arizona Cardinals.

O’Donnell made the Indianapolis Colts’ 53-man roster in August, but was waived and then claimed by Arizona. That came after two seasons on the Colts’ practice roster, and a Lisfranc foot injury suffered during the team’s 2022 training camp which caused him to miss the entirety of last season.

The 6’5″, 313 lb former University of Alberta Golden Bear who’ll turn 25 on Dec. 23, didnt play in the first eight weeks of the Cardinals’ season either, but has seen action in the last four, starting the last three, including a win over the Atlanta Falcons.

“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.”

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Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman Carter O’Donnell (#61) during the Week 10 regular season game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, Nov 12, 2023 in Glendale, AZ. (Courtesy: Arizona Cardinals)

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.

Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman Carter O’Donnell (#61-white) during the Week 11 regular season game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Houston Texans on Sunday, Nov 19, 2023 in Houston, TX. (Courtesy: Arizona Cardinals)

“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.com, which 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.