Connor McGovern last month signed a one-year contract with the New Orleans Saints worth a reported 1.2million.
But the Saints star is the heir to a family potato business worth nearly 500 times his NFL salary.
The 31-year-old has spent eight years in the league after being selected by the Denver Broncos with the 144th pick in 2016.
Before the draft however, McGovern was reportedly warned by his grandfather that he would – in fact – be taking a pay cut to join the world of professional football.
Because, according to Front Office Sports, Ron Offutt has turned the family business – R.D. Offutt Company – into a $500m empire.
Connor McGovern’s grandfather runs the $500million potato business R.D. Offutt Company
McGovern signed a one-year contract with the New Orleans Saints worth a reported 1.2m
He is a fourth-generation farmer who has earned the title the ‘Sultan of Spuds’. His potatoes are used in McDonald’s French fries.
In fact, R.D. Offutt Company is reportedly America’s largest commercial potato producer and the Offutt family is – according to FOS – the richest in the whole of North Dakota (more than $500m).
R.D. Offutt Company is the primary supplier to many big-name businesses including Wendy’s and Raising Cane’s.
McGovern grew up in Fargo and reportedly spent his childhood learning the tricks of potato farming.
His former teammate, Clay Rhodes, told FOS that during meals at the McGovern family home, the potatoes must be eaten first.
On the field, meanwhile, McGovern spent several seasons in Denver before moving to the New York Jets. It’s said that he was considering retiring – and joining the family business – this summer before being signed to the Jets practice squad. He later left for New Orleans, where he has played five games in 2024.
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