Robert Quinn, UNC's All-ACC defensive end in 2009 and one of the top prospects in the NFL draft, released a statement for the first time since being ruled ineligible by the NCAA and dismissed from the football team.
Quinn said:
"I first would like to say how thankful I am to God for being able to attend the University of North Carolina. I want to thank the coaching staff for recruiting me and giving me the opportunity to come to such a prestigious university despite the fact that I was suffering from a brain tumor. I want to thank my teammates for making the time I had on the football field some of the best times in my life. I also want to thank them for their friendship and willingness to stand by me through my growth as a person. It is with that in mind that I want to convey my sincere apologies to both my teammates and my coaches for bringing this burden upon them.
"Even though this unfortunate situation is a tough time in my life, it is something I will be able to overcome. Having a brain tumor has truly been the most difficult thing I have had to deal with in my life. I was told at one point that I would be brain dead and unable to play sports ever again. Having to deal with something of that magnitude has allowed me to put this situation in its proper perspective, accept it and learn from it.
"I’m very thankful to all my supporters who have encouraged and prayed for me throughout this entire process. I appreciate the University of North Carolina for keeping the door open for me to receive a college education. It has made dealing with these circumstances easier knowing that there are people who can see past my mistakes and still view me as a good person. While I have this time away from football I will do my best to continue to give back to the community in a positive manner.
I wish my team good luck for the rest of this season and I want them to know that I am and always will be a Tar Heel at heart."
Comments
yeah, he loves unc-ch so
Thu, 10/14/2010 - 23:19 — bppackyeah, he loves unc-ch so much that he did something that has brought them shame and ridcule and ruined their reputation, all for a tiny fraction of what he will likely earn in the NFL. if I thought for a minute that the words were his, I would say he is absolutely a liar...which, of course, the NCAA has already called him...3 times over.
Question
Fri, 10/15/2010 - 09:51 — gvillegatrWhy do you care?
Ridiculous Marketing Ploy by UNC
Thu, 10/14/2010 - 22:53 — phillyfanGreg Little is just as much of a punk as ever. He showed what he was about when he talked smack to Jarvis Byrd, lying on the ground in front of him after Byrd had suffered a major leg injury. Here is the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_LHETzHH1k&NR=1
C'mon Baddour and company, this is about as lame as most of the other half-truths and lies you and Butch have been spewing since this all came to light. None of us outside the light blue bubble over Chapel Hill believes the crap you keep spinning.
Wow, throwing John Blake under the bus as if Butch didn't know exactly what he was getting. This whole charade reminds me of the emperor's new clothes. Go and pretend, you just embarass yourselves more by the day.
This may turn out really well for UNC. I think this may yield a nice area to build dorms where Kenan used to be. They should be named Davis, Baddour and Austin.
WHO CARES WHAT YOU PEOPLE THINK...
Thu, 10/14/2010 - 21:23 — bryant80Quinn owes you losers nothing.On here saying, "I don't believe this and that".You know what?Who cares?Your not God or a Carolina fan so he owes you nothing.Get a life and worry about your on pathetic team.He can't even apologize without you morons throwing stones or spewing your stupid theories.We still run the show.When basketball season comes it's going to be even worse for you losers...Then you can sit around and whin and wonder how we're just that good...Bye losers...
delusion personified
Thu, 10/14/2010 - 23:20 — bppackdelusion personified
Review
Thu, 10/14/2010 - 19:44 — packgrad83I wonder if all these statements had to be reviewed by the academic journalism review whatever it is....smells like Tar Hell marketing to me. Why do they put in paper...shouldn't they have to pay for this advertsing?
tutor strikes again
Thu, 10/14/2010 - 20:00 — outhousecatI'm with you. When I read this statement, it sounded more like something the administration had somebody write than something that anybody on the semi-illiterate basketball team could string together.
freudian slip
Thu, 10/14/2010 - 20:45 — outhousecatSorry, I meant "semi-illiterate football team." Dang edit button doesn't work.
Who cares
Thu, 10/14/2010 - 19:07 — whitlow71I don't care what the cheater does now
Reverence
Thu, 10/14/2010 - 17:25 — omegamanI see this bozo shows reverence now that he's been caught. Why didn't he practice it in the beginning? He wouldn't have the tranished reputation he now has if he had!
Reverence? Interesting
Thu, 10/14/2010 - 19:58 — wooten78Reverence? Interesting choice of words.The guy accepted gifts and/or cash. He harmed himself, his teammates, and the reputation of the University. He disappointed thousands of fans for sure, but no individual was hurt more in the process than himself.
The NCAA rules these guys broke are not laws. I am not gonna condemn Robert Quinn, Greg Little, or Marvin Austin for making a stupid mistake. They're paying for it. If anything, its made me rethink that maybe I am a little too invested in how twenty year old kids play a game. I should probably be more concerned with myself, and we all should too.
These guys will be paying for it and have to live with it for a long time, just as Peter Warrick did when he cost himself the Heisman. He took like $500 worth of stuff at the mall and only payed $20 for it through a scheme with a friend who worked there. You know what that reminds me....Peter Warrick was arrested for grand larceny, broke NCAA rules for preferential treatment, and was only suspended two games. Fair? Not by today's standard that the NCAA is setting.
The UNC trio of Robert Quinn, Greg Little, and Marvin Austin took gifts from an agent that violated no law, only NCAA rule. They did not steal, resulting in a violation of law and NCAA rules. Better to accept gifts and break a rule, or to steal and break a law?
He will be fine...
Thu, 10/14/2010 - 17:17 — mothra1960He will go in the 1st or 2nd round of the NFL draft.
So who is the bad guy? The agents that temp the college athlete's or the athlete's who take the temptations???
What ever happened to football?
Thu, 10/14/2010 - 16:46 — gvillegatrHave they quit plyin this year? Is the season over?
How bout some blogs on ECU and state as well as UNC and UVa. C'mon.
Yep
Thu, 10/14/2010 - 22:31 — mad_maxTwo huge games with very interesting storylines; heated rivalry game in Greenville, and UNC trying to end the Charlottesville streak.
...yet it's Thursday night, and there's nothing to comment on here. I've unfortunately had to tune in to David Glenn recently just to get my fix.
With you on that G-ville.
Thu, 10/14/2010 - 17:16 — unc098With you on that G-ville. How about a story on UNC -Va, and more on the ECU/State.
Funny;There was one on Duke football yesterday I think.
absolutely
Thu, 10/14/2010 - 19:22 — JPDOhioBoth of you guys beat me to the punch. One would think that the only sports story is the UNC investigation and we have to have a post every time a single word is uttered by anyone associated with it.
Maybe that's because the entire N&O sports staff is dedicated to that one story, but, in the meantime, they are missing an otherwise entertaining football season. That would include the Tar Heels success in spite of the constant distraction of the investigation, of which the reporting has reached National Enquirer levels of blather.