Eddie and Johnny O'Brien, '53 Finance

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

Seattle University'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 Seattle University 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.