John Grattan O'Connell (October 27, 1902 – March 14, 1942) was a professional football player in the early National Football League for the Hartford Blues and the Providence Steam Roller. Prior to his professional career, he played at the football at the college level, while attending Boston College. While in college, he started every game of his four-year football career with the Eagles. He once blocked six kicks in a game, while at BC and earned All-American honors during his junior year. Outside of football, he played for the school's basketball team. In 1971, he was inducted into the Boston College Varsity Club Athletic Hall of Fame.