"Calli O’Brien was the most versatile player I have ever played with. She was a fabulous quarterback with the ability to play the entire field. She had confidence in all her receivers and shared the ball amongst them all. She was also a fabulous receiver known to catch almost anything. Defensively, she was aggressive and effective. She literally was an all-round star."

Calli O’Brien is said to be the best all-round women’s player to play in TFBC; she could play every position, and play them at a high level.

Her football education started when she was 5 and her older brother taught her to play. She grew up playing against her neighbour’s (Ronnie Lancaster) son -- who she would ususally beat and often end up in fights with. Neither of them liked to lose.

“I was head over heels when I found out there was a woman’s league,” says Calli. She played on one team in the lower disivion before playing for Saskatchewan’s best team, the Regina Riggers. She was on the team when the Riggers went to Nationals in 1986.

It was there that she saw team Mardi Gras. [See Mardi Gras ] So in 1987 when she moved to Vancouver to attend SFU, where she would play rugby, she was looking to play for Vancouver's best; Mardi Gras. But before she could find “The Gals” Calli met some players from Kaban at SFU and joined their team. Calli stayed with Kaban from1987 to 1991. She would later play for the Meralomas/Labatts Dry team.

In 1991 she received the best all round player award in TFBC.
She played football from 1984 to 1995 and played on 2 National Championship teams. “Not as many as I would have liked,” she says.

1991 MVP Offence at Nationals:

Calli O’ Brien...QB and great defensive player. Talented and played every down of football like it was a Championship Game. An extremely competitive and fit athlete. The one athlete I both enjoyed playing against because of the Challenge and dreaded because I knew she was going to keep me on my toes and be in my face the whole time while I was playing receiver. She never gave up! I just hoped Laura would give me a long pattern when she was covering me so I could use my speed on her.

-Lynn LeClair

Calli was a great athlete who could play any position on the field- QB, receiver, centre, kicker, safety. She was fearless on the field diving and dodging. She used her athleticism in the backfield and could scrabble to pass or run better than anyone in the league. She played more by instinct than by thought and always keep things calm and in perspective.

-Deb Huband

Calli O’Brien was the most versatile player I have ever played with. She was a fabulous quarterback with the ability to play the entire field. She had confidence in all her receivers and shared the ball amongst them all. She was also a fabulous receiver known to catch almost anything. Defensively, she was aggressive and effective. She literally was an all-round star.
"

-Andrea Brauner