If you are a fan of both hockey and football, you might have wondered if there is any connection between two athletes who share the same last name: Trace McSorley and Marty McSorley. Trace is a quarterback for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL), while Marty is a former defenseman and right wing who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) from 1983 to 2000. Are they related by blood, or is it just a coincidence? Here is what we know about the truth behind the hockey and football surnames.
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Trace McSorley: A Rising Star in the NFL
Trace McSorley was born on August 23, 1995, in Ashburn, Virginia. He played college football at Penn State, where he set several school records, including most passing yards in a single season, most passing touchdowns in a single season, most career total yards of offense, and total touchdowns in a single season He was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the sixth round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He played for the Ravens for two seasons, mostly as a backup to Lamar Jackson. He appeared in six games, throwing for 502 yards, one touchdown, and five interceptions. He also rushed for 79 yards
In 2021, he signed with the Arizona Cardinals as a free agent, but he did not make the final roster. He was then claimed off waivers by the New England Patriots, where he currently serves as the third-string quarterback behind Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe He has yet to play for the Patriots in the regular season.
Marty McSorley: A Versatile Player and an Enforcer in the NHL
Marty McSorley was born on May 18, 1963, in Hamilton, Ontario. He played junior hockey for the Belleville Bulls of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). He was not drafted by any NHL team, but he signed as a free agent with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1982. He made his NHL debut in October 1983 with the Penguins, but he rose to fame after a trade in September 1985 sent him to the Edmonton Oilers. There, he became known as “Wayne Gretzky’s bodyguard”, protecting the star player from opposing teams’ physical play. He also won two Stanley Cup championships with the Oilers in 1987 and 1988
In 1988, he was traded along with Gretzky and Mike Krushelnyski to the Los Angeles Kings. With the Kings, McSorley became a fan favorite for his bruising style and his improved skills as a defenseman and a forward. He led all defensemen in shorthanded goals with three in the 1992-93 season. He also helped the Kings reach the Stanley Cup Finals in 1993, where they lost to the Montreal Canadiens in five games
McSorley played for several other teams in his NHL career, including the Pittsburgh Penguins (again), New York Rangers, San Jose Sharks, and Boston Bruins. He retired from hockey in 2000 after playing 961 games, scoring 108 goals, 251 assists, and 359 points. He also accumulated 3381 penalty minutes, ranking him fifth all-time in NHL history
McSorley’s career ended on a controversial note when he was suspended by the NHL for assaulting Donald Brashear of the Vancouver Canucks with his stick during a game on February 21, 2000. Brashear suffered a severe concussion and had to be taken off the ice on a stretcher. McSorley was suspended for the rest of the season and never played again in the NHL. He was also charged with assault with a weapon by Canadian authorities and found guilty of assault with a weapon by a British Columbia court. He received an 18-month conditional discharge with no jail time or criminal record
Are They Related?
Despite having the same surname and playing professional sports, Trace McSorley and Marty McSorley are not related by blood or marriage. They are not even from the same country: Trace is American while Marty is Canadian.
According to Wikipedia, Trace’s father is Rick McSorley, who played college football at Richmond and coached high school football at Briar Woods High School in Virginia. Trace’s mother is Andrea McSorley, who works as an elementary school teacher.
Marty’s father is Jim McSorley, who was a steelworker and a minor league hockey player. Marty’s mother is Mary Ann McSorley, who worked as a nurse. Marty has two brothers: Chris McSorley, who is also a former hockey player and coach, and Mike McSorley, who is a firefighter.
The two McSorleys have never met in person, but they have spoken on the phone once. In 2019, Marty called Trace to congratulate him on being drafted by the Ravens and to wish him good luck in his NFL career. Marty also told Trace that he was proud of him and that he was a fan of his. Trace thanked Marty for his kind words and said that he appreciated his support
Conclusion
Trace McSorley and Marty McSorley are two athletes who share a common surname but have no familial ties. They both have achieved success in their respective sports of football and hockey, but they have also faced challenges and controversies along the way. They have shown respect and admiration for each other, even though they have never met face to face. They are examples of how sports can bring people together, even if they are not related by blood.
