Wayne Red O’Brien joins the Maritime Sports Hall of fame
Maritime Sport Hall of Fame: News Release (via Rick Grant , VP and Media Relations)
Football season in Canada peaks this month with the CFL Grey Cup and the CIS University Vanier Cup. One of Nova Scotia’s greatest football players, Wayne “Red” O’Brien played for McMaster Marauders in the Vanier Cup and played for the Montreal Alouettes.
On Monday, November 6, The Maritime Sport Hall of Fame will hold a special induction ceremony to honour Mr. O’Brien.
Mr. O’Brien had a storied university football career. After playing three years for Dartmouth High he went on to play for Saint Mary’s University from 1962 to 1965.In 1964 SMU won the Atlantic Bowl. The team was undefeated in 1965 but the Atlantic Bowl was not played that year. Mr. O’Brien was scouted by Jim Trimble of the Hamilton Tiger Cats, offered a contract but the outstanding lineman decided to take a pass. Trimble took O’Brien to the NY Giants who offered him a spot with their farm team in Scranton Pennsylvania.
The very independent O’Brien decided instead to return to university for a degree in Physical Education. He enrolled at McMaster University in Hamilton, played for the Marauders. The team played in the 1967 Vanier Cup.Although McMaster lost 10-9 to the Golden Bears, O’Brien was so outstanding he was offered a contract with the Montreal Allouettes in 1968. His CFL career was abruptly ended with a knee injury in a play with Tommy Joe Coffee of Hamilton Tiger Cats.
Mr. O’Brien is 72 years old and seriously ill battling cancer, but will be in attendance on Monday.
The Maritime Sport Hall of Fame will also be celebrating the announcement by Adam and Joanne McCullough that the Millstone Public House is to be the Title Sponsor for the Hall of Fame.
The announcement comes as the McCullough’s open their second Millstone Pub in the Metro area. The original Millstone is on Baker Drive in Dartmouth. The newest is in Bedford.The McCullough’s have been ardent sports fans since they opened their first sports bar in British Columbia.
Event Information:
Where: Millstone Public House,
Sante Building, 50 Larry Martin Drive (around back) – opposite the BMO Centre
When: November 6, at 1 pm
Contact: Frank Mitchell, Maritime Sport Hall of Fame President, 902-576-2055
Hello,
I had Stu and Red O’Brien as coaches when I played for the Oakville Colts. Both were tough but fair and I learned a lot from both. I wondered if it possible to get contact information for either of the gentlemen.
Regards,
Douglas Getty
Hey Doug,
I am Stu’s daughter, you may of seen me at the games. Red passed away in 2017 and Dad just passed last night (May 26) would love to touch base with you! I still have my Colts Tshirt, Find me on FB ( I look like Dad)
Allyson O’Brien