After an insane college career, Robert Quinn was poised to break out in the NFL. His first few years seem to be taking him on that same trajectory before a few seasons marred with injuries derailed his momentum. Quinn is a story of courage and fighting through adversity as he had to undergo brain surgery for a benign tumor in his days playing high school football for 4 Dorchester. Fortunately, he was able to make a full recovery and continued on with his football career while also becoming a 3-time heavyweight state champion in wrestling.
Eventually, he made his way over to the University of North Carolina, where he would go on to cement himself as one of the best defensive ends in college football. His commendable courage landed him the Brian Piccolo Award as a rookie while he finished third in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting after a 34 tackle, 2 sacks season. In his sophomore campaign, he was even better, leading the ACC in tackles with over 50 to his name as he became a member of the First-team All-ACC. Moreover, he finished second in the ACC Defensive Player of the Year voting list.
A myriad of controversies cut his tenure at the collegiate level short and a year later, Robert was making his way to the NFL as one of the best defenders in the country, projected to go high in the first round. Unsurprisingly, he became the 14th overall pick as the St. Louis Rams picked him up in 2011.
A slow start in his rookie year as he became a backup defensive end saw Quinn showcase some of his defensive potential. However, under new head coach Jeff Fisher, Robert was promoted to the starting lineup and would go on to record 29 combined tackles and 10.5 sacks. He would build on his impressive season and explode in 2013 for double in both categories en route to a PFWA Defensive Player of the Year Award along with a consensus First-team All-Pro selection. Next year would see a slight dip but still excellent production as he would once again make the Pro Bowl. However, from there on, it all went downhill. While uber consistent in his first few years, Quinn would go on to make just 17 appearances over the next two years, dealing with various injuries. A return to health in 2017 would see diminished numbers, leading to a trade to the Miami Dolphins before the start of the 2018 campaign.
Robert Quinn’s Jersey Number
Apart from the single year with the Dallas Cowboys in 2019, Quinn would wear the number 94 religiously. That year, he would shift to 58 to accommodate Randy Gregory. A rejuvenated season with the Cowboys after another mediocre year with the Dolphins would put Robert back on track. The next year, the Chicago Bears took a gamble, signing Quinn to a 5-year contract. Switching back to 94, Robert showed flashes of brilliance in the 2020 campaign before enjoying a renaissance in 2021.
He would earn recognition with a 3rd Pro Bowl appearance, 7 years after his last. Moreover, he also broke the single-season Bears’ franchise record for sacks by recording 18.5. As a result, he was also a member of the second-team All-Pro. His comeback tour would then take him to the Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles, where he would wear the #98 after a trade midway through the year for an improved Philly team. However, his time there would end unspectacularly, resulting in his current free-agent status.
FAQs
A. Due to incentivized travel accommodations and jewelry, the NCAA banned Quinn for his junior year. As a result, he along with 2 others, was permanently disassociated and was prohibited from contacting any athlete in the program as well as banned from entering the Kenan Football Center premises.
A. During his career, Robert Quinn has almost constantly adorned the number 94. A short stint with the Dallas Cowboys saw him put on the number 58. This past year, a mid-season trade to the Philadelphia Eagles forced him to put up the number 98 jersey.
A. Standing above the average height for a defensive end, Robert Quinn stands at 6 feet four inches tall.
A. Nearing the end of his career, Robert Quinn is 33 years old as of August 2023.
