O'Hara still going strong

by Campbell Blake
April 3, 2002 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)

When it comes to being a consummate professional, Toronto Phantoms quarterback Pat O'Hara is a perfect example. In spite of facing adversity almost everywhere he has turned during his 11 seasons as a pro, he has never let it keep him down in his pursuit of being the best that he can be. Over his career he has faced being benched even after guiding his team to the championship the previous season and has suffered through a series of career threatening injuries. O'Hara has faced almost every imaginable situation you could think of at one point during his career. He feels that he is a better person because of it.

"I have had a lot of adversity in my career, but because I have overcome it I have had a long and enjoyable career," said O'Hara. "I have won championships, I have been benched, I have been through everything you could go through as a player and I wouldn't trade it for anything."

Prior to last season, O'Hara had decided to hang up the cleats and retire as a player to become a coach in arenafootball2. That all changed when the Toronto Phantoms came calling in search of a veteran quarterback. With an offer on the table to continue playing, he decided that retirement could wait at least one more year. It has been suggested that 2002 would be it for O'Hara, and that he would probably retire at the end of the season and move on to the world of coaching. As far as he is concerned, it might have to wait just a little bit longer than expected. When that time finally comes, he would prefer to start as an assistant coach in the AFL rather than as a head coach in af2.

"Ideally I would like to play two more years and get 10 years in this league. Two more years after this one and that would be ideal to play in this league for a decade," said O'Hara. "That is kind of a goal I have set for myself."

Heading into this season, O'Hara is feeling great and in better health that it has been in years. He believes he has a very talented team in front of him and that they are as good as the championship teams he played for with the Orlando Predators. He and Chad Salisbury will not have to worry about searching for someone to catch the ball. The Phantoms have some of the best receivers in the league including Damion Harrell and Charlie Davidson, so getting the ball in the end zone should not be a problem. In O'Hara's opinion this team has a chance to take it all.

"We showed the league we were something special I think (last season) and I feel we are going to jump out on the scene pretty strong," said O'Hara. "I am excited of watching and being a part of what's going on. I really believe that this team can make a run for the championship."

Even though O'Hara was the starter at the beginning of the season and was honored with an AFL player of the week award in the early part of last season, his first year in Toronto ended with another disappointment. The passer injured his knee late in the season and missed the rest of the year, including the playoffs, because of it. At the time of the injury the Phantoms were 3-6 and fighting for their playoff lives. When Chad Salisbury stepped in to the starting roll, Toronto went on to win its last five game of the regular season, made the playoffs and won the division. It became obvious that a decision had to be made heading into this season on who would be the starting quarterback in 2002? Would they go with the experienced veteran who has won championships or the youngster who impressed them so much last year in guiding them to a playoff berth?

"Its kind of been decided Chad is going to be the guy, which is fine. I accept that," said O'Hara. "So I just decided to have a good attitude about it. Should I be called upon to play, I will be ready to go. I am having fun and that is the attitude I am taking with this whole thing."

Over the years adversity is something O'Hara has learned how to deal with. As he has grown older he gained the wisdom to understand why certain things happen, and even though he accepts the reasoning in each situation, he has not let it keep him down. An incident from his time at the University of Southern California shows his love of the game. He suffered an injury, and the doctors believed he would never play football again because of it. To their amazement he recovered. That was in 1989 and now in the year 2001, he is still going strong, having picked up a few championships along the way. Whatever the future holds for the quarterback, as a player, a coach or something else, one cannot question O'Hara's desire to succeed.

Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from April 3, 2002

• O'Hara still going strong - OSC Original by Campbell Blake
• What makes minor league sports unique - OSC Original by Walter L. Johnson II
• Training Camp Notes - San Jose SaberCats
• Toronto Phantoms vs. Grand Rapids Rampage - Toronto Phantoms
• Arena Football League Transactions - AFL I

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