Richmond Athletics Hall-of-Fame quarterback Buster O’Brien passed away Monday night. One of Spider football’s all-time greats, O’Brien was instrumental in leading Richmond to its 1968 Tangerine Bowl victory, the only bowl win in school history. He was 78 years old.
A star quarterback at Virginia Beach’s Princess Anne High School in the 1960s, O’Brien’s talent and success earned him a football scholarship from Notre Dame. After transferring to Richmond after his freshman season, O’Brien went on to achieve legendary status and cement his legacy as one of the best to ever play for the Spiders.
“This is a sad day for Spiders everywhere,” said Richmond Vice President and Director of Athletics John P. Hardt. “Buster O’Brien represented the best of Richmond Athletics: a tremendous man, a gifted athlete, and a steady captain who led his team to titles on the field and then led his community as a judge and state delegate. He will be deeply missed.”