Leading the Horned Frogs to a National Championship, QB Davey O’Brien won the Heisman Trophy in 1938
8 | QB Davey O’Brien (1935-38)
A Horned Frog legend and college football trailblazer, Davey O’Brien brought TCU to the pinnacle of the sport, winning the Heisman Trophy and the National Championship in 1938. After backing up Sammy Baugh for two season, O’Brien cemented a legacy of his own. A two-time All-American and two-time First-Team All-Southwest Conference, O’Brien led a TCU offense that wowed the college football world, crushing opponents during undefeated 1938 campaign. TCU’s toughest test, and only game with a final margin within one score, was in the Sugar Bowl vs. No. 6 Carnegie Tech. Trailing at halftime for the first time all year, O’Brien would throw a touchdown pass, make a field goal, and intercept a Tartans pass to seal the 15-7 victory and finish the season No. 1. O’Brien delivered for the Horned Frogs in every facet of the game: serving as placekicker, punter, and returning kicks in addition to starring as quarterback and defensive back; his 19 touchdown passes in 1938 still ranks ninth in TCU history, while his 16 career defensive interceptions is second all-time.
O’Brien was selected in the 4th overall in the Fourth Round of the 1939 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles where he would be an All-Pro as a rookie, leading the league in passing yardage. Today the Davey O’Brien Foundation and the Fort Worth Club annually present the Davey O’Brien Award, the nation’s most prestigious quarterback honor since 1981. The award was won by a Horned Frog for the first time by Max Duggan in 2022.