In 1898, O'Brien organized the Morgan Athletic Club. He and his brother Pat also played on the squad. Chris then changed the clubs home games to nearby Normal Field, prompting the new name the Normals. That same year O'Brien gave the team it's longstanding moniker when he, finding a bargain, bought used football jerseys from the nearby University of Chicago. Because the jerseys were faded from the maroon color worn by the University, O'Brien declared, "That's [the color is] not maroon, it's Cardinal red!"