Robert Quinn is a former American football defensive end who played in the National Football League (NFL) for over a decade. He was born on May 18, 1990, in Ladson, South Carolina, and attended Fort Dorchester High School in North Charleston, where he played football and was a standout athlete.
Quinn went on to play college football at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he was a two-time All-ACC selection and a first-team All-American in 2010. He was also a finalist for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and the Ted Hendricks Award, both of which are given to the best defensive players in college football.
In 2011, Quinn was drafted by the St. Louis Rams in the first round of the NFL Draft, 14th overall. He quickly established himself as one of the league's premier pass rushers, recording 10.5 sacks in his rookie season and earning All-Rookie honors. He continued to be a dominant force on the Rams' defensive line over the next few years, earning Pro Bowl honors in 2013 and 2014.
In 2015, Quinn was diagnosed with a brain tumor, which forced him to miss half of the season. He underwent surgery to remove the tumor and was able to return to the field the following year. However, he was never quite able to regain his previous form, and the Rams eventually traded him to the Miami Dolphins in 2018.
Quinn had a solid season with the Dolphins in 2018, recording 6.5 sacks and earning the team's Dan Marino Most Valuable Player Award. However, he was traded again the following year, this time to the Dallas Cowboys. He had a career resurgence in Dallas, recording 11.5 sacks in 2019 and earning his second Pro Bowl selection.
Quinn played one more season with the Cowboys in 2020 before being released in the offseason. He signed with the Chicago Bears in March 2021, but was released again in August after failing a physical. He announced his retirement from the NFL shortly thereafter.
Throughout his career, Quinn was known for his speed, agility, and ability to get to the quarterback. He finished his career with 85.5 sacks, 26 forced fumbles, and 21 pass deflections. He was also a two-time Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee for his charitable work off the field.
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