Ken O'Brien
Former Jets quarterback and 1983 first-round pick who led the NFL in passer rating in 1985.
Ken O'Brien is a former professional football quarterback who played for the New York Jets and Philadelphia Eagles in the NFL. He was drafted by the Jets as the 24th pick in the first round of the 1983 NFL Draft.
- Role
- Quarterback
- Team
- New York Jets
- Draft Year
- 1984
- Draft Round
- 1st (3rd overall)
- College
- Syracuse University
- Status
- Retired
Lore & Background
O'Brien played college football at Sacramento State and then at the University of California, Davis. He was the first quarterback in Jets franchise history to finish a season with the highest passer rating in the NFL, achieving a 96.2 rating in 1985. He also held the team record for most consecutive pass completions (17) in a game. O'Brien was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1997.
In Their Own Story
The noise at Shea Stadium was deafening as Ken O'Brien stepped into the pocket, the cold November wind biting through his shoulder pads. The crowd held its breath, remembering the glory days of Namath but unsure if this young signal-caller could deliver a similar magic. He scanned the defense, saw the blitz coming, and with a flick of his wrist, launched a perfect spiral downfield. For that one play, the stadium roared as if history were being written all over again.
Reader's Guide
Ken O'Brien was selected by the New York Jets as the 24th overall pick in the first round of the 1983 NFL Draft. He played for the Jets from 1983 to 1992 and spent the 1993 season with the Philadelphia Eagles. He was a two-time Pro Bowl selection (1985 and 1991) and led the NFL in lowest interception rate in 1985, 1987, and 1988.
Did You Know?
- O'Brien was one of six quarterbacks in the famed quarterback class of 1983.
- He threw for 479 yards and four touchdowns in a 51–45 win over the Miami Dolphins in 1986.
- On November 2, 1986, he became the first quarterback to achieve a perfect passer rating (158.3) while throwing for 400 yards in a game.
- He also posted a perfect passer rating in a game on December 23, 1990, against the New England Patriots.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Ken O'Brien?
Ken O'Brien was the New York Jets' starting quarterback selected third overall in the 1984 NFL Draft out of Syracuse University. He became a polarizing figure who led the franchise during a turbulent transition period following the Joe Namath era.
What was Ken O'Brien's role with the Jets?
As the team's primary signal-caller, O'Brien served as the starting quarterback tasked with guiding the offense through the volatile late 1980s. His tenure represented an attempt to rebuild the franchise before the arrival of future stars like Vinny Testaverde.
How did Ken O'Brien's Jets career conclude?
O'Brien eventually retired from professional football after a career defined by both high expectations and inconsistent team performance during his time in New York. He is no longer an active player but remains a noted figure in the team's historical records.
Why is Ken O'Brien considered important to Jets history?
He holds significance as a first-round draft pick who bridged the gap between the legendary Namath years and the modern era of quarterback play for the franchise. His presence marked a specific, often difficult chapter in the organization's evolution during the late eighties.
What are Ken O'Brien's most notable achievements?
His primary distinction is being chosen as the third overall pick in 1984, highlighting the high hopes placed on him by the organization at that time. While his statistical legacy is mixed, he remains a memorable part of the Jets' roster history from that specific decade.
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