Ken O'Brien is a former American football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for ten seasons. He was born on November 27, 1960, in New York, and attended the University of California, Davis, where he played college football.
O'Brien was selected by the New York Jets in the first round of the 1983 NFL Draft, as the 24th overall pick. He spent his entire NFL career with the Jets, from 1984 to 1993, and was the team's starting quarterback for most of that time.
During his rookie season, O'Brien played in 13 games and threw for 1,721 yards, 8 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions. He improved significantly in his second season, throwing for 3,888 yards, 25 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions, and leading the Jets to the playoffs for the first time in four years.
O'Brien's best season came in 1985, when he was named to the Pro Bowl and led the NFL in passer rating with a mark of 96.2. He threw for 3,690 yards, 25 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions, and helped the Jets reach the playoffs for the second consecutive year.
In 1986, O'Brien threw for 3,888 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 22 interceptions, as the Jets finished with a 10-6 record but missed the playoffs. He struggled with injuries in 1987 and played in only 9 games, throwing for 1,797 yards, 9 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions.
O'Brien bounced back in 1988, throwing for 3,430 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 22 interceptions, and leading the Jets to the playoffs for the third time in five years. He played in two playoff games that year, throwing for 431 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions.
O'Brien's production declined in the following years, as he struggled with injuries and inconsistency. He played in only 7 games in 1991, throwing for 1,096 yards, 5 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions. He played in 10 games in 1992, throwing for 1,678 yards, 9 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions.
O'Brien's final season in the NFL was in 1993, when he played in 11 games and threw for 1,481 yards, 7 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions. He retired after the season, having played in 129 games in his career, throwing for 25,094 yards, 128 touchdowns, and 98 interceptions.
Overall, O'Brien was a solid quarterback for the Jets during his career, and he ranks among the team's all-time leaders in passing yards, touchdowns, and completions. He was known for his accuracy and intelligence on the field, and he was respected by his teammates and coaches for his work ethic and leadership.
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