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Video: Patriots Dan Connolly Earns AFC Special Teams Honor

It’s not everyday that you see a 300-plus pound offensive lineman returning a kickoff. It’s not everyday when that same man returns the ball 71 yards. That’s exactly what Patriots offensive guard Dan Connolly did Sunday night against the Green Bay Packers. The return landed Connolly the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors, the second offensive lineman claim this honor since 2004.

Aside from the return, Connolly has had a stellar year when he’s had to fill in for both Logan Mankins and Stephen Neal. Connolly was undrafted from Southeast Missouri State and has been a member of the Patriots since the 2008 season.

Head coach Bill Belichick remained in true form when answering questions about the return.

“Alert play by Dan, but also by the blocking to get in front of him there and at least get him started.”

About Matthew Marcantonio - My Twitter

Matthew Marcantonio is the Patriots and college football editor at Sports of Boston. Marcantonio has contributed for two newspapers; the Sentinel & Enterprise (Leominster, Mass) and The Advocate (Baton Rouge, La) and held internships with The Bleacher Report and Sports Illustrated.

Tags: Dan Connolly, New England Patriots, Video