Robert Quinn

Robert Quinn (born May 18, 1990) is an American football defensive end who is a free agent.

He also played in the 2008 U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

Quinn attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he played for the North Carolina Tar Heels football team.

As a freshman in 2008, Quinn started 12 of 13 games, recording 34 tackles (6.5 for losses) and two quarterback sacks and forced two fumbles.

He was also named the ACC's Brian Piccolo Award winner as the league's most courageous player and finished third in the voting for the ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year honors.

As a sophomore in 2009, Quinn had 52 tackles and led the ACC and was 15th in the country in tackles for losses with 19.0 and was second in the league and 16th in the nation in sacks with 11.0 sacks.

Additionally, he had three pass breakups and was second in the ACC and fourth in the country with six forced fumbles.

For his efforts, he was a First-team All-ACC selection and was a Second-team All-American by CBS.

He also finished second in the ACC Defensive Player of the Year voting.

As a junior in 2010, Quinn missed the season after he was ruled ineligible by the NCAA for lying to investigators about receiving travel accommodations and jewelry.

Already in April 2010, Quinn was regarded as one of the top prospects for the 2011 NFL draft.

He played college football at North Carolina, and was selected by the St. Louis Rams with the 14th pick in the first round of the 2011 NFL draft.

Quinn attended Fort Dorchester High School in North Charleston, South Carolina, where he played for the Fort Dorchester Patriots high school football team.

As a senior, his season was shortened after undergoing brain surgery for a benign tumor.

Quinn made a full recovery and was able to resume his football career.

He registered 54 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, five sacks, and 21 quarterback hurries before the surgery.

Despite sitting out all of his junior season, he was still projected to be a top-10 selection in January 2011.

His stock slightly dropped after the combine, projecting him at No. 11 in early March.

The St. Louis Rams selected Quinn in the first round (14th overall) of the 2011 NFL draft.

Quinn was the second defensive end drafted in 2011 after J. J. Watt (11th overall).

On July 30, 2011, the St. Louis Rams signed Quinn to a fully guaranteed four-year, $9.43 million contract that includes a signing bonus of $4.77 million.

Quinn arrived a day late to practice due to the birth of his first son.

Throughout training camp, Quinn competed to be a starting defensive end against long time veteran James Hall.

Head coach Steve Spagnuolo named Quinn the primary backup defensive end to start the season, behind veterans Chris Long and James Hall.

He made his professional regular season debut in the St. Louis Rams' Week 2 game at the New York Giants and made two solo tackles and recorded his first career sack as the Rams lost 28-16 on Monday Night Football.

Quinn made his first career sack on Giants' quarterback Eli Manning for an eight-yard loss during the third quarter.

On October 30, 2011, he recorded his second sack and blocked a punt against the New Orleans Saints, earning the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week Award for his effort.

In Week 11, Quinn made a season-high five solo tackles and had one sack during a 24-7 loss against the Seattle Seahawks.

On December 18, 2011, Quinn earned his first career start after James Hall sustained a knee injury.

He recorded one tackle and a pass deflection as the Rams lost 20-13 against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Quinn completed his rookie season with 23 combined tackles (20 solo), five sacks, three blocked punts, two pass deflections, and a forced fumble in 16 games and one start.

On January 2, 2012, the St. Louis Rams fired head coach Steve Spagnuolo after they completed the season with a 4-12 record.

On January 13, 2012, the St. Louis Rams hired former Tennessee Titans head coach Jeff Fisher.

Head coach Jeff Fisher named Quinn and Chris Long the starting defensive ends to begin the regular season.

On October 4, 2012, Quinn recorded six combined tackles (four solo) and a season-high three sacks on Kevin Kolb during a 17-3 win against the Arizona Cardinals.

He finished the 2012 NFL season with 29 combined tackles (24 solo) and 10.5 sacks in 16 games and 14 starts.

On November 19, 2013, the University of North Carolina sent a permanent disassociation letter to Quinn, Marvin Austin, and Greg Little for the improper benefits taken during their time at the university.

The three athletes are prohibited from contacting current North Carolina athletes and are not allowed inside the Kenan Football Center or other athletic facilities on campus.

In Week 1 of the 2013 season against the Arizona Cardinals, Quinn tied his career high for sacks in a game with three, causing two fumbles and was also held once by Cardinal left tackle Levi Brown in a 27–24 Rams win in St. Louis.

He was ranked the 19th best defensive end recruit by Scout.com and the 18th by Rivals.com He was also a 3-time heavyweight state champ in 4A wrestling.