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Ken O'Brien

Quarterback

Inducted 1997

Date of Birth

11/27/1960

Birthplace

Rockville Centre, NY

Schools

University of California, Davis (1980-1982)

California State University, Sacramento (1978-1978)

Bio

In his 1982 senior year, Ken O'Brien, quarterback for California-Davis ranked second nationally in total offense and third in passing efficiency in Division II. He completed 178 passes for 20 touchdowns in ten games. His completion percentage was .610. He made Division II All-America. He led California-Davis to a 10-0 record in the regular season. In the NCAA playoffs, the Aggies beat Northern Michigan 42-21 and North Dakota State 19-14 before losing in the championship game to Southwest Texas 34-9. The Aggies averaged 32 points a game in 1982. O'Brien was named All-Far Western Conference quarterback three times. The Aggies finished 7-2-1 in his sophomore year and 6-4 his junior year. In 1981 and 1982 O'Brien received the Babe Slater Award as the best offensive player in the conference. He played 11 years in the pros with the New York Jets and Philadelphia Eagles. He settled in Sacramento, California, where he launched a career as a broadcaster. O'Brien also won a letter in 1978 as a reserve quarterback at California State-Sacramento.