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Pat Terrell
Pat Terrell
Pat Terrell
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Patrick Christopher Terrell (born March 18, 1968) is an American former professional football player who was a safety in the National Football League (NFL) for the Los Angeles Rams, New York Jets, Carolina Panthers, and Green Bay Packers. He played college football for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. He was selected 49th overall in the second round of the 1990 NFL Draft by the Rams.[1]

Key Information

He is perhaps best remembered for his efforts in preserving a victory for the Fighting Irish during their 1988 National Championship season. In a game billed as the "Catholics vs. Convicts", #1 Miami pulled to within one point with a touchdown with less than one minute to go in the fourth quarter, making the score 31-30. Miami coach Jimmy Johnson made the decision to go for the two-point conversion, and called for a pass play to the right corner of the endzone. Terrell batted away Steve Walsh's pass at the last possible instant, sealing the victory for the Irish, and helping them roll onward to a 12-0 season and the national crown. He was a 1986 First Team All-South Independent selection

He and Chad Cota both had 49-yard interception returns against Dallas in the first round of the 1996 playoffs, thereby tying each other for the career, season, and single-game Panthers' franchise records for post-season interception return yards.

References

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Pat Terrell

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Pat Terrell is an American former professional football defensive back known for his memorable contributions at the University of Notre Dame and his decade-long career in the National Football League. Born on March 18, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee, Terrell played college football at Notre Dame, where he began as a wide receiver before switching to defensive back and delivering standout performances. He is best remembered for his decisive role in the Fighting Irish's dramatic 31-30 upset over top-ranked Miami on October 15, 1988, returning an interception for a touchdown earlier in the game and then batting away a two-point conversion pass in the closing seconds to secure the victory, a moment that helped propel Notre Dame toward the 1988 national championship. Terrell joined the NFL in 1990 with the Los Angeles Rams, where he spent four seasons, and later played for the New York Jets, Carolina Panthers, and Green Bay Packers before retiring in 1999.

Early Life

Birth

Patrick Christopher Terrell was born on March 18, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee. This birthplace and date are consistently recorded across official NFL player profiles and statistical databases.

Early Influences and Education

Patrick Christopher Terrell was born on March 18, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee, and raised in St. Petersburg, Florida. He attended Lakewood High School in St. Petersburg, Florida, before pursuing higher education at the University of Notre Dame. Terrell's early interests were shaped by family ties, including his grandfather's involvement with the Tuskegee Airmen, which sparked his lifelong passion for aviation. During his childhood, he gained practical experience working at his father's petroleum supply company and his uncle's concrete businesses, exposure that later influenced his post-football career in materials supply. At Notre Dame, Terrell initially studied aerospace engineering but switched majors to business after realizing his greater interest lay in flying rather than the technical aspects of aircraft design. He later reflected that the business degree broadened his future opportunities, stating, "I switched majors and got a business degree and I am very glad that I did. It made my future opportunities more diverse." As a student-athlete for the Fighting Irish, he began his college football career as a wide receiver before transitioning to safety.

Career

Pat Terrell was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the second round (49th overall) of the 1990 NFL Draft. He played as a defensive back/safety throughout his NFL career. He spent four seasons with the Los Angeles Rams (1990–1993), becoming a full-time starter in 1991. As a rookie in 1990, he recorded his first interception off Joe Montana in a victory over the San Francisco 49ers. He then played for the New York Jets in 1994, the Carolina Panthers from 1995 to 1997 (where he started regularly and participated in the 1996 playoffs), and the Green Bay Packers in 1998. Over his nine-season NFL career (1990–1998), he appeared in 139 games with 70 starts, totaling 393 combined tackles, 11 interceptions (59 return yards), one sack, and five fumble recoveries. In the postseason, he returned an interception 49 yards with the Panthers in 1996. At the University of Notre Dame, Terrell initially joined as a wide receiver before switching to defensive back. This transition allowed him to excel in the secondary, culminating in his memorable performance in the October 15, 1988, game against No. 1 Miami. With Notre Dame leading 31–30 and 45 seconds left, Terrell batted away Steve Walsh's two-point conversion pass in the end zone, securing the 31–30 upset victory that contributed to Notre Dame's 12–0 season and national championship. Terrell also appeared as himself in NFL game broadcasts during his playing career (credited on networks such as CBS, NBC, FOX, ESPN, and others from 1990–1998) and in documentaries related to his college highlights, such as the 2016 ESPN 30 for 30 "Catholics vs. Convicts." These were incidental to his football career and do not represent involvement in acting or production.

Personal Life

Personal Background

Patrick Christopher Terrell was born on March 18, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee. He attended Lakewood High School in Florida before pursuing college football at the University of Notre Dame, where he graduated in 1990. During his teenage years, Terrell worked at his father's petroleum supply company and his uncle's concrete company, experiences that later shaped his post-football career interests. His grandfather's involvement with the Tuskegee Airmen also influenced his early fascination with aviation. Terrell married his college sweetheart, Beth, becoming engaged during his time with the New York Jets in 1994. The couple has seven children—Seth, Veronica, Luke, CeCe, Eli, Javi, and Elle—and resides in Burr Ridge, Illinois. Beth has been a consistent source of support throughout his career transitions, helping to keep him grounded amid various professional shifts.

Interests and Life Outside Work

Pat Terrell has long harbored a deep passion for aviation, which he describes as a childhood fascination sparked by his grandfather's association with the Tuskegee Airmen. He has called himself an "aviation fanatic" and credits this interest with inspiring significant post-football pursuits. After retiring from the NFL, Terrell worked as a professional airline pilot for American Trans Air for five years, serving as captain on a Boeing 757 and flying military troop transport missions during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He later founded Terrell Materials, a multi-state concrete supply company, to allow a more family-friendly schedule. Family forms the cornerstone of Terrell's life outside his professional career. He has emphasized that his family represents his greatest blessing, with Beth providing grounding support throughout his various endeavors. He has described having a strong family as the most important element of his life beyond football. Terrell resides in Burr Ridge, Illinois.

Legacy and Recognition

Industry Impact

Pat Terrell's most enduring contribution to football stems from his role in one of college football's landmark moments, the 1988 Notre Dame victory over Miami known as "Catholics vs. Convicts." On October 15, 1988, with Miami trailing 31-30 and attempting a two-point conversion to win in the final minute, Terrell knocked down quarterback Steve Walsh's pass in the end zone to preserve Notre Dame's upset victory, a result that helped propel the Irish to an undefeated season and the national championship. He also scored earlier in the game on a 60-yard interception return for a touchdown, contributing multiple key plays to the win. This defensive stop has become an iconic play in college football history, frequently revisited in media and documentaries, including ESPN's 30 for 30 film "Catholics vs. Convicts," which chronicles the rivalry and the game's cultural significance. Terrell has reflected that the moment followed him throughout his professional career, with people often identifying him primarily for that play even years into the NFL. As time passed and he became a father, he grew to appreciate its value more deeply, noting the honor of being part of such a memorable event at a program with rich tradition and the ability for his children to see the play's historical place. In the NFL, Terrell established a solid ten-year career as a defensive back, appearing in 139 games with 11 interceptions, 5 fumble recoveries, and 393 combined tackles across the Los Angeles Rams, New York Jets, Carolina Panthers, and Green Bay Packers. He took pride in earning starting roles under multiple head coaches and defensive coordinators without the security of a fixed position, demonstrating adaptability in a highly competitive league. Though his professional tenure did not include Super Bowl wins or major individual accolades, his longevity and contributions as a reliable defender added to the depth of defensive talent in the 1990s NFL.

Current Status

As of 2024, Pat Terrell is the founder, president, and CEO of Terrell Materials Corporation, a multi-state concrete supply company he built from scratch specializing in high-volume infrastructure projects such as freeways and airport runways. The company operates fleets of portable concrete batch plants that are set up directly on job sites and was approaching its 20th anniversary in 2024. Terrell Materials has contributed to major airport runway constructions, including projects at Chicago O'Hare International Airport, Orlando International Airport, George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. He resides in Burr Ridge, Illinois, with his wife Beth, his college sweetheart whom he became engaged to during his 1994 season with the New York Jets, and their seven children: Seth, Veronica, Luke, CeCe, Eli, Javi, and Elle. Born on March 18, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee, Terrell remains active in leading his business with no further public updates available beyond mid-2024.

See Also

Career Beginnings

First Roles in the Industry

Pat Terrell entered the professional football industry upon being selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the second round of the 1990 NFL Draft. He arrived in the NFL following a distinguished college career at Notre Dame, including participation in the 1988 national championship season and a senior year that featured 44 tackles and five interceptions. Terrell expressed significant enthusiasm about the opportunity, noting his respect for the Rams franchise and familiarity with former Notre Dame teammate Frank Stams, who had joined the team the prior year. In his 1990 rookie season, Terrell appeared in multiple games for a Rams squad that concluded the year with a 5-11 record. His first NFL start and first career interception came in Week 12 against the San Francisco 49ers, where he picked off Joe Montana during an upset road win over the defending Super Bowl champions. Terrell later recalled Montana approaching him after the game to inquire about the play, highlighting the moment as a testament to his preparation and ability to compete at the professional level. Entering his second season in 1991, Terrell secured a starting role at safety, playing alongside veterans such as Michael Stewart and Anthony Newman in the Rams' secondary. He noted the significant increase in speed and quarterback quality from college to the NFL but credited his readiness to extensive playing time as a rookie and prior experience in high-pressure college games. These early years established Terrell as a reliable defensive back during the initial phase of his professional career.

Early Projects

Pat Terrell embarked on his professional football career after being drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in the second round (49th overall) of the 1990 NFL Draft. Following his collegiate success at Notre Dame, where he transitioned from wide receiver to defensive back and contributed to the 1988 national championship team, Terrell entered the NFL as a defensive back, primarily playing free safety. His early years focused on establishing himself in the league's competitive environment with the Rams. Terrell's initial projects in the professional ranks included his rookie campaign in 1990 and subsequent seasons through 1993 with the Rams, during which he appeared in numerous games and gained experience in the secondary. He participated in key NFL broadcasts and events, such as the 1990 NFL Draft special and various network game telecasts, documenting his on-field contributions as a Rams defensive back. These early appearances helped build his reputation as a reliable defender in the league's defensive schemes. His time with the Rams laid the groundwork for later transitions, as he honed his skills in coverage and tackling during this formative period of his career. Terrell's early professional endeavors emphasized adaptation to the NFL pace and physicality after college, setting the stage for his continued play across multiple teams.

Major Career Phase

Role Evolution

Pat Terrell's role on the field underwent a significant evolution during his football career, beginning with a position switch in college that laid the foundation for his professional success as a defensive back. He started his Notre Dame tenure as a wide receiver before head coach Lou Holtz transitioned him to safety, a move that took effect by the 1988 season when Terrell accumulated experience in nickel and dime packages before earning starting duties. This shift to defense proved pivotal, as his second career start at safety came in the iconic 31-30 victory over Miami, where he batted down a two-point conversion pass to preserve the win and contribute to Notre Dame's national championship. In the NFL, Terrell solidified his identity as a safety, primarily at free safety, though his role fluctuated across teams and seasons to reflect situational demands and roster changes. Drafted by the Los Angeles Rams as a defensive back, he began as a reserve in 1990 before becoming a full-time starting free safety in 1991 and 1992, where he led the team in tackles during his peak starting years. His role diminished to mostly reserve and special teams duties with the Rams in 1993 and the New York Jets in 1994, limiting his starts and focusing on sub-package contributions. Terrell experienced a resurgence with the expansion Carolina Panthers, reclaiming a starting free safety position in 1995 and holding it full-time through 1996, before returning to a part-time starter and reserve mix in 1997. He concluded his career in 1998 with the Green Bay Packers in a depth role as a versatile defensive back, emphasizing nickel packages and special teams. This adaptability within the secondary—from early starter to situational player and back again—highlighted Terrell's value as a reliable free safety capable of adjusting to different defensive schemes and team priorities across his nine professional seasons.

Recent Work and Current Activities

Later Projects

After leaving his aviation career, Pat Terrell founded Terrell Materials Corporation in the mid-2000s as its president, CEO, and owner, establishing a DBE/MBE-certified concrete manufacturing and construction firm headquartered in the Chicago area. The company specializes in high-volume concrete production for heavy highway and airport infrastructure, utilizing portable batch plants to supply FAA-certified mixes directly at project sites across multiple states. Terrell Materials has participated in several major airport runway and taxiway projects, including significant contributions to Chicago O'Hare International Airport's modernization efforts, such as supplying Portland Cement Concrete and Roller Compacted Concrete for runways including 10C-28C and 9C, as well as taxiways CJ and others, with the firm's work on the 10C-28 Center Runway earning the Department of Aviation’s Contractor of the Year Award in 2013. It also completed Taxiway K & L and Lima Lima at O'Hare in 2015. The company has supplied concrete for new runways at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Orlando International Airport, and George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston. In 2014, Terrell Materials completed two taxiways, ramps, and the full replacement of runway 8L-26R at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in just 40 days. More recently, the firm has served as a specialized concrete subcontractor for Orlando International Airport's Terminal C Phase 1X expansion under Prince Contracting, mobilizing a dedicated batch plant to produce precision paving materials for new taxiways and apron areas. It also handled mobilization and mix design for the Taxiway Lima expansion at Ellington Airport in Houston under Texas Sterling–Banicki JV. Beyond airports, Terrell Materials has supported major highway and transit reconstructions, including supplying high-performance concrete for the Milwaukee Zoo Interchange Reconstruction Project under Walsh Construction, as well as concrete recycling and base materials for Chicago's Dan Ryan Interchange Reconstruction Project, where it processed approximately 750,000 tons of demolished concrete for reuse. The company acted as a major subcontractor on Chicago's CTA Red Line South Reconstruction Project, handling drainage and duct bank restoration alongside concrete supply. As of recent accounts, Terrell Materials continues to operate on large-scale infrastructure initiatives nationwide, having celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2024 while maintaining a focus on high-volume, technically demanding projects.

Professional Status

Pat Terrell is a retired National Football League player who has transitioned into business ownership and executive leadership. As of 2024, he serves as the founder and chief executive officer of Terrell Materials, a multi-state concrete supply company he built from scratch specializing in high-volume projects for infrastructure developments. The company deploys portable concrete batch plants directly on job sites to support large-scale contracts, including major runway work at airports such as Chicago O'Hare, Orlando International, George Bush Intercontinental in Houston, and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International. Terrell Materials celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2024. Prior to founding the company in the mid-2000s, Terrell pursued a second career in aviation after retiring from professional football. He joined American Trans Air as a professional pilot, advancing to captain of Boeing 757 aircraft and operating military charter flights worldwide, including troop transport missions in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He flew for the airline for approximately five years before leaving to prioritize family responsibilities and launch his business. Terrell has reflected on his post-football career shifts as driven by a search for engaging challenges comparable to the intensity of NFL competition and aviation in high-stakes environments, ultimately finding fulfillment in building and leading Terrell Materials through dedication and hard work. He resides in Burr Ridge, Illinois, with his family.
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