New Britain herald., 1927-10-11

Boston, Oct. 11.-One of Bostons leading surgeons five days of the week, one of footballs greatest referees the rest Of the time. and rated by many of the leading coaches the best of all football ar hters-that is the dual personality Dr. F. J. O'Brien lives during the ten weeks of the football season.
 As youngster. football was al- ways a hobby with Eddie O'Brien, the name by which players, coaches and football fans know the famous sureeon. It continued during his coll@ge days at Tufts It has re- mained with him ever since.
 For many years, the name "E. J. O'Rrien, Tufts" has been carried in the summary of most of the out standing grid games of the year as one of the officials. While Dr O'Brien is usually selected as the referee, he is equally at home at any of the other positions.
 In all probability, Eddie O'Brien (we will keep the atmosphere of the football field rather than the clinic and thereby drop the prefix doctor for a time) is the only foot ball official in all the wide world who loses money when acting as one of the officials at a football game. How? Well, let me explain.
 His football work makes it noces- sary that he give up Saturday and Sunday, and as rule it is necessary that he depart for his destination Friday evening. That means for two days each week he must turn over certain details of his work to other surgeons. Since his services as q specialist call for a fancy fee, 1t is easy to understand why 1t usually costs Eddie O'Brien plenty of money when he acts as the referee at Yale and Army, Dart mouth and Harvard. Princeton and Yale, Army and Navy or any of the other big games. A stipend of s15o is the top price for an official. Why then, you ask, does Dr. E. J. 1 O'Brien continue his football duties? To be truthful. it is largely in the interest of good health that he well comes the arrival of the football season each fall. Football is Dr. | 0 Brlen's relaxation as well as | hobby. He not only loves the game, but fully realizes that for two days each week it makes him forget all about medicine, operations, hospi- ! ie. C, . that steadies his nerve and better fits him for his surgical work.
 All work is not good, even for a doctor,' explains Eddie O'Rrien. He must play like the rest Of the mortals and to me the thrill Of the gridiron and the problems that are being constantly put up to the officials provides a relaxation and rest. that no vacation could hope 10 offer"
 One look at pr. O'Brien will i readily convince you that he has the right system. He doesn't look within 10 years Of his age. He steps around the gridiron like a youngstor and has diplomatic and suave manner in handling any and all situations that seldom ruffle even the player or the coach of the team that is pcnalizod. His wide cxreri- ence, thorough knowledge of the rules and his tact in handling the most difficult problems make him perhaps the most sought after off Cial in the country.
 1 Many of the reforms in football ! that have helped to put the game on q higher plane originated with Dr. l O'Rrien. The fact that he Is one Of the three leading football officials who serve as the advisory board to ! the rules committee is a mute tribute to his standing as judge of play. The other two members of . the advisory committee are Walter , OkeSon and Walter Eckevsall.
 How long are you going 10 keep at the rcforooinE game?" I recently asked Dr. O'Rricn.
 l Lust as long as anybody is willing