Southeast Missouri Athletics Hall of Fame
2001-2004
Dan Connolly is one of two former Southeast Missouri players currently on active National Football League rosters. Connolly became the first Southeast football player to play in a Super Bowl when he suited up with the New England Patriots against the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLVI. He was a four-year starting offensive tackle at Southeast and was a Second-Team All-Conference selection each of his four college seasons. He finished his career with 46-consecutive starts. As a junior, he started every game at offensive tackle and allowed only one sack. Connolly entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2005, being signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars. After two years, he was released and picked up by the New England Patriots to fill out their practice squad. Since then, Connolly has worked his way in the Patriots starting lineup, a spot he has held for four years. Connolly set a NFL record for the longest kick return by an offensive lineman when he ran 71 yards in the Patriots 31-27 victory over Green Bay on Dec. 19, 2010. He won the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week Award after that return. He came back to Southeast to receive his bachelor's degree in general studies during the spring of 2011.
