NFL Star Connor McGovern: The Heir to a $500 Million Potato Empire
Connor McGovern, a seasoned NFL center for the New Orleans Saints, comes from a family legacy that many would find fascinating. While McGovern has carved out a successful career in professional football, his roots run deep in agriculture. His grandfather, Ron Offutt, is the man behind R.D. Offutt Company, the largest potato producer in the United States and a major supplier of fries for McDonald's. Offutt is known as the "Sultan of Spuds" and is one of the wealthiest individuals in North Dakota, with a family fortune that exceeds $500 million.
Growing up in Fargo, North Dakota, McGovern was exposed to farming from a young age, often riding alongside his father, Keith, learning the ins and outs of the family’s vast agricultural business. From beans and corn to potatoes that end up on the tables of fast food giants like Wendy’s and Raising Cane’s, the McGovern family plays a key role in the nation's food supply. Yet despite this immense wealth, McGovern chose the NFL path over running the family farm, a decision that often raises eyebrows among his teammates.
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In college, McGovern, a standout offensive lineman at the University of Missouri, kept his family’s wealth relatively quiet. But it didn’t take long for his peers to discover that his family was part of a multi-million dollar agricultural empire. While many would have jumped at the opportunity to join the family business and enjoy a life of luxury, McGovern remained steadfast in his desire to make his own mark on the football field. "I always say I come from blue-collar farm money, and that’s a little different," he explains. Farming, McGovern believes, is much more than simply collecting wealth—it’s a labor-intensive profession that comes with its own set of challenges, from unpredictable weather to fluctuating crop yields.
Drafted by the Denver Broncos in the fifth round of the 2016 NFL Draft, McGovern’s NFL career has been marked by ups and downs. He’s signed lucrative contracts, such as a three-year, $27 million deal with the New York Jets in 2020. However, injuries have slowed his career, limiting his playing time and casting doubt on his future in the league. Despite this, McGovern's passion for the sport remains, although teammates often wonder why someone with his background would continue to play a physically demanding game like football. "Why are you doing this?" they ask, knowing that McGovern could easily step into the family business and live a life of ease.
But McGovern is clear about his reasons for sticking with football: he wants to prove that his success isn't handed to him. "I wanted to make a name for myself and show that my hard work earned something," he says. That’s why, despite his family's financial success, McGovern has always viewed his NFL career as a personal journey.
Now, at 31 years old, McGovern finds himself at a crossroads. After starting this season on the Jets' practice squad, he was signed by the Saints in September, where he has earned a spot in the team's rotation. But with his career earnings nearing $34 million and his family’s business expanding rapidly, McGovern has begun to contemplate a future outside of football. The potato empire awaits, but he is clear that there will be no easy ride. "There’s no nepotism in the family," he says. "I don’t get to just walk in and have a role. Just like you have to earn your spot in the NFL, everything has got to be earned."
Connor McGovern's story is a fascinating mix of sports and agriculture, and it underscores the complexities of balancing fame with family expectations. Whether he continues his football career or eventually joins the family business, McGovern’s journey will always be about more than just potatoes. It’s about earning his place—whether on the field or in the fields where the spuds grow.
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