From Chicago Sun-Times · · 1m 50s
Connor Onion's Fox Sports Rise
La Grange native Connor Onion joins Fox Sports after broadcasting career.
In brief
La Grange native Connor Onion joins Fox Sports after broadcasting career. Connor Onion, 31, a La Grange native and Lyons graduate, became Fox Sports' No. 2 college football analyst after Jason Benetti left for NBC. Originally reported by Chicago Sun-Times.
Connor Onion's name origin
Connor Onion, pronounced O'Own-yun, was born with the family name O'Onion in Ireland.
“It was O'Onion when my family was in Ireland”
Family name story
His family dropped the 'O' to assimilate in the U.S. and became farmers growing onions.
“They came to the United States and dropped the 'O' to try to assimilate and naturally became farmers”
Onion's broadcasting start
Onion called games for Fox Sports, including college football, basketball, volleyball and baseball.
“Connor Onion, with Robert Griffin III, calls college football, college basketball, volleyball and baseball for Fox”
High school football attempt
In high school, Onion tried to walk on to Ball State football but was told he should consider broadcasting instead.
“He was like, 'I’ve seen the few highlights you have from high school. I think it’s probably time you consider a different profession'”
Early broadcasting job
Onion got a minor-league baseball job with the Quad Cities River Bandits in 2017.
“Five teams responded, two granted him interviews and one gave him an offer for the 2017 season”
Southern Illinois experience
At Southern Illinois, Onion worked with Mike Reis to improve his broadcasting skills.
“Mike Reis told me, 'Connor, I think you’ve got potential, but you’ve got a lot of getting better to do'”
Big Ten Network job
Onion joined the Big Ten Network in 2021 after calling women’s volleyball at Southern Illinois.
“At SIU, Onion called women’s volleyball. That helped him get a job in 2021 at Big Ten Network”
Fox Sports promotion
Fox promoted Onion to its No. 2 college football crew after Jason Benetti left for NBC.
“This summer, after Jason Benetti left for NBC, Fox promoted Onion, 31, to its No. 2 college football crew”
Northwestern-Indiana game
Onion will call the Northwestern-Indiana game Friday at 7 p.m. on Fox 32.
“They’ll call the Northwestern-Indiana game Friday (7 p.m., Fox 32, 720-AM)”
Bulls broadcasting experience
Onion subbed for Adam Amin during Bulls games, calling their double-overtime loss to the Jazz.
“Bulls fans should remember Onion from his time subbing for TV voice Adam Amin last year”
Onion's birth story
Onion was born during the Bulls' last three-peat, with his birth certificate noting 'Time of birth: End of Bulls game'.
“I was born right in the middle of the two three-peats”
Onion's farmer market job
During the pandemic, Onion sold onions at a La Grange farmer's market for extra cash.
“When schools shut down during the pandemic, one of Onion’s odd jobs was selling onions at a farmer’s market in La Grange”
Next game schedule
Onion will call Penn State-Northwestern at Ryan Field next Friday after the Northwestern-Indiana game.
“Next Friday, he, Griffin and Landestoy will call Penn State-Northwestern, the first game at the new Ryan Field”
What to remember
Connor Onion, 31, a La Grange native and Lyons graduate, became Fox Sports' No. 2 college football analyst after Jason Benetti left for NBC.
