Vikings’ offensive tackle Brian O’Neill’s athletic legacy stems from his parents! One of the most accomplished athletes in Delaware’s history, who went from securing the Piesman Trophy at Pitt to earning a $92 million contract in the NFL, Brian has never failed to prove himself. And, for this, his parents, Brendan and Elizabeth O’Neill, are excessively proud of him.

Joining the NFL in the 2018 draft, he also earned selection for the NFL Pro Bowl Games 2025. Not only did he start all 17 regular season games in 2024, but he also achieved the best career pass-blocking grade. With each milestone, he is also enriching the athletic legacy of his parents.

Who Are Brendan O’Neill and Elizabeth O’Neill?

Brian significantly owes his athletic drive to his parents, Brendan and Elizabeth O’Neill, as their respective collegiate sports careers bespeak the elite legacy. His dad, Brendan, played as a running back during college at Dartmouth circa 1970. And during that season, Dartmouth remained undefeated (9-0), as they ended up ranking 14th in the AP and UPI final polls. With his backfield partner John Short, Brian secured 1,200 rushing yards, helping the team clinch the Lambert Trophy.

Not only did he excel athletically, but he also chose a solid professional career in law. He serves as Delaware’s chief public defender, dedicating himself to justice. On the other hand, even Brian’s mom, Elizabeth O’Neill, was also involved in competitive sports as a swimmer at Northeastern University.

Brian took to admire his mom’s athletic legacy through his Instagram handle, via a heartfelt birthday post on March 15, 2016. He posted a photo from his childhood with Liz adding, “Happy birthday to my All-American mom! Killed the overalls back in the day. Love ya ma!”

Even Liz also maintains an active IG account. Back on November 29, 2018, she celebrated the milestones of her life with her husband Brendan adding, “On a cold, clear night 32 years ago, I knew I was a lucky girl. Still Am🍀.” Not only this, she frequently features her son Brian in her posts, and on his birthday on September 16, 2021, she lovingly wrote, “From all of us to you @brian_oneill_ Happy Birthday, we 💜U❣️🎉.” Indeed, she is one of his biggest support systems, pushing Brian to achieve the best.

How is Brian O’Neill filling in the shoes of his athletic family?

Not only is Brian carrying forward his parents’ supreme legacy, but he is creating a dynamic identity of his own. From being a TE to dominating the fields as an offensive tackle, his multimillion-dollar contract with the Vikings truly highlights his phenomenal skills.

Taking inspiration from his dad’s profile at Dartmouth, Brian O’Neill also challenged himself. At the University of Pittsburgh, he transitioned to offensive tackle when Jaryd Jones-Smith was injured. To make it possible, he needed to bulk up from 260 lbs to 293 lbs which was not an easy task. Brian recalled, “I ate a lot. Six full meals. If there ever was a time I was hungry, that meant I had to have food in my mouth,” as he noted in 2015.

Stepping into the NFL world, he was a quick catch for the Vikings in 2018. Even Vikings offensive line coach John Peterson was in full praise of his abilities of his running and moving skills contributing to “good tackles.”

Brian’s dad is very proud of what his son has achieved to date, as he remarks, “Brian’s been taking a lot of us on a really fun ride for a number of years now.” He further continues, “He’s been given a lot of gifts, but he’s really worked hard to maximize his chances for success,” as highlighted in Whyy.org’s article from 2021. Indeed, Brendan and Liz take significant pride in their son, cherishing him each day.