Brady Quinn:
The Man behind the Jersey
Brady Quinn puts his gold helmet on and runs out of the
tunnel into the stadium as the crowd roars and chants his name. But what happens
after he leaves the field? What about when he takes off his helmet?
Quinn is only 19 years old and a college sophomore—he is not only an
icon for Notre Dame football, he is a real person behind the helmet and the
hype.
During a recent phone interview, Brady revealed more than what people know
about him. He took off his helmet and started talking about his everyday life.
It
was more about him rather than his statistics.
Across the nation Irish fans turn on their television sets on Saturdays to
watch their number one team fight for a victory. They watch Brady Quinn give
100 percent,
but what they do not get to see on the television is that he gives 100 percent
off the field as well.
Quinn acknowledged the fact that the most important aspect of college is using
time management successfully. “I think as long as I have a resonated schedule,
I can get my school work done along with football,” he said in his deep
raspy voice.
One of his biggest academic accomplishments happened last semester when he
boosted his grade point average because of all the extra work that he put into
it. “I
worked really hard to reach [my G.P.A.] and I was proud of it,” he stated.
Quinn realizes that he did not only come to Notre Dame to be successful in
football, but he also works to be successful in school and understands that
to do both,
he must always be busy to reach the top of his game in both aspects.
Most people
think about Brady Quinn as a competitor. He has always been determined and
willing to give his all. His parents in Dublin, Ohio, Robin
and Ty, raised
him to be focused and to strive for all of his goals. “My
parents have made the biggest influence on my life. I hate to admit it, but
each day I will
catch myself doing something just like them.”
Walking onto to the field as a freshman, Quinn received a lot of pressure from
fans, alumni and students. He had to prove to everyone that he earned it and
could take the weight that was placed upon his shoulders. When asked about
the
pressure that he is dealing with, he said, “I have always received pressure
from my family. It was almost normal growing up because my sister and I have
always being athletic. Also, I grew up right around Columbus, so I understood
the pressure for sports.”
Quinn is also a strong Christian. “God has made a huge impact on my life
and helped me through so many struggles,” he said of a topic to which
he continually returned. In three words he describes himself as “a good
Christian.” He continued by saying, “I try to live a good Christian
life as much as possible. Christianity helps with the leadership roll that
I
believe quarterbacks need.”
While Brady Quinn, now a larger-than-life 6 ft. 4 starter, was still in high
school, he was a top recruit across the nation. Quinn was named #20 on ESPN’s
list of 100 best in the nation. Because of his high school stats and talent,
about 30 schools showed a lot of interest in hopes that Brady would attend their
college or university. But what made ND standout? “Overall, the feeling
with the new coaching staff helped make my decision,” he stated.
As soon as Quinn started his career at Notre Dame, he gained
fame across campus: “I knew that it was just part of the job. I didn’t
really have any pre-conceived notions about all the attention,” he said,
laughing at the mention of his female admirers. Now walking around campus,
his name just
seems
to roll out of students and administrators mouths on a daily basis.
Some people may be a little blinded by the jersey and the helmet when it comes
to Brady Quinn. People just see the #10 and know who it is. He is looked at
as a symbol, but do people understand him on a personal level?
On the field Brady attributes his skill to leadership. He believes that Christian
values have made him grow as a leader to be strong on the field and take control
of his team to lead them to victory. As a pre-game ritual, he takes a spoonful
of honey for luck, and then he heads out of the tunnel ready to fight for a
win.
He receives pressure off the field as well. Going to ND has made him focus
on studying and doing homework just like any other student at the university.
In
the future, after graduation, Quinn aspires to go to law school and become
an attorney. But don’t worry, Irish fans: “I would always love to go
into the NFL”, he said. He has his priorities set, with school and with
football; he just wants to keep a clear head and works his hardest.
Quinn actively participates in MOG (Men of God) and a regular
ND bible study group along with football and a full-course schedule. So he
keeps himself
quite busy around campus.
As a freshman, Quinn started in nine games, but saw action in all twelve
competitions. As a sophomore he is leading the Irish through the season.
As a student, he
works hard for his grades; as a Christian he continues to grow and mature.
Through
the week he is a student, a quarterback of Notre Dame, and a religious person
actively practicing his faith, but on Saturdays, he puts on his helmet it
and all comes together.