Eddie and Johnny O'Brien, '53 Finance

These trailblazing twin athletes led ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ to national fame in basketball and played MLB together. They were icons of toughness, talent, and civic pride in postwar Seattle.

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Eddie and Johnny O'Brien

ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½'s Trailblazing Twins

As we went to press, news broke of the passing of Johnny O’Brien, who—along with his twin brother Eddie, who died in 2014—helped put ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ on the national map in the early 1950s.

Known for their tenacity and dynamic play, the O’Briens led the Redhawks to a historic victory over the Harlem Globetrotters and a 1953 NCAA tournament appearance.

Johnny, a scoring phenom, became the first college basketball player to score over 1,000 points in a season.

But their story didn’t stop at the hardwood. The brothers also played Major League Baseball with the Pittsburgh Pirates, showcasing rare two-sport talent. Their deep bond and local roots made them fan favorites and civic icons in Seattle. Their impact transcended sports, representing the spirit and determination of a postwar city hungry for heroes.