The University of Mississippi Athletics
Former Defensive Lineman Sean O'Malley Passes Away
3/28/2012 | Football
March 28, 2012
BOYNTON BEACH, Fla. - Sean Michael O'Malley, 40, of Boynton Beach, who earned three letters while playing in the defensive line for the Ole Miss Rebels, passed away Sunday March 25, 2012.
A memorial mass will be held at St. Mark Catholic Church in Boynton Beach on Friday March 30, at 10:30 a.m.
Born April 12, 1971, he is survived by his parents Nancy Marie and Charles John O'Malley of Boynton Beach; his sister Colleen (Jeff) O'Malley Weber of Charlotte, N.C.; and his niece Emma Weber, also of Charlotte.
After an outstanding career at Mt. Vernon High School in Alexandria, Va., O'Malley began his football career for Coach Billy Brewer at Ole Miss in 1989 when he was redshirted his true freshman season as the Rebels finished 8-4, including a victory over Air Force in the Liberty Bowl.
His first action came in 1990 when he was moved from defensive guard to fullback at mid-season after injuries had depleted the Ole Miss running back corps. Used primarily as a blocking back, O'Malley helped lead the Rebels to a 9-3 record, which included an appearance against Michigan in the Gator Bowl and a No. 21 ranking in the final Associated Press (AP) poll.
Back at his defensive line position as a sophomore in 1991, O'Malley played in all 11 games and earned his first letter. When No. 1 nose guard Jim Lentz suffered an injury, O'Malley started games against Georgia, Vanderbilt, LSU and Tennessee. He recorded a season-high 11 tackles against Vanderbilt and his 61 tackles for the season ranked 11th among Southeastern Conference down linemen that year.
As the No. 1 nose guard in 1992, Sean played in four games before suffering a broken leg against Kentucky, which ended his regular season. However, he returned in time to play in the Liberty Bowl as the Rebels defeated Air Force to finish 9-3 and ranked No. 16 in the AP's final balloting.
O'Malley bounced back from his broken leg when he had seven tackles against Auburn in the 1993 season-opener. He went on to earn his third letter during his senior campaign as the Rebels finished 6-5.
O'Malley was credited with 90 total tackles during his career at Ole Miss and was considered one of the strongest, if not the strongest, members of the team. He also earned academic honors, being named to the Academic All-SEC Honor Roll and University of Mississippi Dean's Honor Roll.