Grandson of Jack Nicklaus to make NFL bow

Eighteen-time major champion Jack Nicklaus has built quite an athletic legacy for his descendants to follow, and now his grandson Nick O’Leary will have his chance to thrive in the world of professional sports, specifically the National Football League.

Saturday afternoon, the Buffalo Bills selected Florida State’s O’Leary, who was the nation’s top tight end last season, in the sixth round of the NFL draft.

O’Leary has said on many occasions that he is proud to be Nicklaus’ grandson, but that he looks forward to carving his own legacy as a professional athlete. Now, he’ll have his chance to do so in Buffalo.

“He’s just my grandpa; I don’t look at him the same way you guys look at him,” said O’Leary on Saturday. “My grandpa and my grandma (Barbara), they’re just my grandparents. They support me with whatever happens.”

At 6-foot-3 and 247 pounds, O’Leary was selected 194th overall with the second of Buffalo’s two sixth-round picks Saturday. He became the first Florida State player to win the John Mackey Award after finishing second on the Seminoles with 48 catches for 618 yards and six touchdowns last season. In four seasons, he set the school career record among tight ends with 114 catches for 1,591 yards and 18 touchdowns.

O’Leary is from Palm Beach, Florida, and Nicklaus was frequently seen in attendance at Florida State football games over the past few years in support. O’Leary’s mother, Nan, is Nicklaus’ daughter.

As for O’Leary’s golf game?

“It’s pretty good,” he said with a laugh.