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Pelham's Sean Donnelly Looks To Make Giant Impression In The NFL

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Sean Donnelly and his family watched last month's NFL Draft in their Pelham home with more than just passing curiosity.

Sean Donnelly makes his way off the Giants' practice field during last week's rookie training camp.

Sean Donnelly makes his way off the Giants' practice field during last week's rookie training camp.

Photo Credit: Andrea Graziano
Sean Donnelly (71) practices a play during the Giants' rookie training camp.

Sean Donnelly (71) practices a play during the Giants' rookie training camp.

Photo Credit: Andrea Graziano
Sean Donnelly (71) practices a play during the Giants' rookie training camp.

Sean Donnelly (71) practices a play during the Giants' rookie training camp.

Photo Credit: Andrea Graziano
Sean Donnelly (far) works on drills with other offensive linemen during last week's rookie training camp.

Sean Donnelly (far) works on drills with other offensive linemen during last week's rookie training camp.

Photo Credit: Andrea Graziano
Sean Donnelly (71) practices a play during the Giants' rookie training camp.

Sean Donnelly (71) practices a play during the Giants' rookie training camp.

Photo Credit: Andrea Graziano
Sean Donnelly (71) practices a play during the Giants' rookie training camp.

Sean Donnelly (71) practices a play during the Giants' rookie training camp.

Photo Credit: Andrea Graziano
Sean Donnelly (71) practices a play during the Giants' rookie training camp.

Sean Donnelly (71) practices a play during the Giants' rookie training camp.

Photo Credit: Andrea Graziano
Sean Donnelly (71) practices a play during the Giants' rookie training camp.

Sean Donnelly (71) practices a play during the Giants' rookie training camp.

Photo Credit: Andrea Graziano

The 23-year-old Pelham native was hoping to be selected by one of the National Football League's 32 teams.

"I was sitting by my phone, waiting, waiting," Donnelly told Daily Voice. "I had expectations, but I didn't meet them."

Donnelly had hoped to be selected in one of the later rounds of the draft but during the sixth round his phone began to ring with calls from teams asking if he'd be interested in a free agent contract if he was not chosen. The offer from the New York Giants – the team Donnelly grew up rooting for – was the best.

Donnelly signed an undrafted free agent contract with the Giants and is on the team's 90-man off season roster. Last week, he took part in the Giants' rookie minicamp, driving 40 minutes from his family's Pelham home to East Rutherford, New Jersey. This week, he'll have an opportunity to practice with the team's veterans, including Eli Manning, Odell Beckham Jr. and Victor Cruz, whose locker is directly across from Donnelly's.

"It's been good," Donnelly said of his time so far with the team. "I'm getting back into football shape."

Donnelly began playing football when he was 10-years-old and suited up as left tackle for the Pelham Pelicans his freshman year.

"I remember playing left tackle out of a right tackle stance, which, now that I think of it, is kind of weird," said Donnelly, who transferred to Trinity-Pawling School after his first year.

After high school, the 6'8" inch, 297 pound offensive lineman went to Tulane. He didn't expect to find himself back in New York, but doesn't mind spending time in Westchester.

"I forgot how nice it is in the springtime here," he said.

When he has time, Donnelly likes to go to Hooperstown in Mount Vernon to play basketball or New Roc City in New Rochelle to catch a movie. 

When the Giants release their 53 man roster in early September Donnelly is hoping to be on it.

"I've just got to keep working," he said. "It's a long ways away."

And if he makes the team? Maybe the Wolf's Lane Deli, his favorite place to eat in Pelham, will name a sandwich after him.

"Maybe if I make the roster," he laughed.

 

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