| The Mighty Quinn Tackles Notre Dame
By John Mooney
 He
plays the premier position in college football: quarterback of the Notre
Dame Fighting Irish. With one year left of eligibility, he has already
broken most of the school’s passing records. The 21-year-old has a 6’ 4",
230-lb. physique that Michelangelo could have sculpted to match his looks
of a male model. Indeed, Brady Quinn leads a charmed life.
Notre Dame football came back in a big way in the past year, thanks
in large part to the guidance of first-year head coach Charlie Weiss and
Quinn’s golden arm. The Fighting Irish rebounded from a disappointing 2004
season and earned an invitation to play in the Fiesta Bowl versus Ohio
State. Though the Irish lost, the invitation alone netted the school $14
million dollars in revenue.
Quinn has cemented his legacy among Notre Dame quarterbacks. He ranks
first on the university’s lists for career touchdown passes, attempts and
completions, and passing yards. In 2005, he threw for 3,633 yards and led
all college quarterbacks with 32 touchdown passes, including a record six
in one game versus BYU. His touchdown passes in 15 consecutive games shattered
the school’s old mark of 10 set in 1964.
Although he plays in front of thousands of screaming fans and millions
in the national TV audience weekly, Quinn downplays his personal accomplishments.
When asked about the accolades he has received — including his photo on
the cover of Sports Illustrated and consideration for the Heisman
Trophy (the award for the best college player) — the quarterback said his
primary focus was on team goals.
Though he didn’t win the Heisman, Quinn did receive the Sammy Baugh
Award for college football’s best passer. Known for his diligent training,
he reportedly can bench press 350 pounds and squat 475 pounds. He also
holds a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
Interestingly, he is the second great quarterback named Brady that coach
Charlie Weiss has guided to unprecedented success. Weiss is also credited
with helping to make two-time Super Bowl MVP Tom Brady of the New England
Patriots one of the premier quarterbacks in the NFL. Although the no-nonsense
coach and his star player had an adjustment period, the two connected to
form an incredible partnership.
"He is always pushing us to get better," said Quinn, whom many claim
was the most improved player in all of college football.
It seems fitting that Quinn graduated from high school in Dublin, Ohio,
to become quarterback of The Fighting Irish. An exceptional athlete with
a disciplined work out routine, he also was an all-conference baseball
player and was listed in Who's Who Among America High School Students.
His boyhood room was decorated with Notre Dame memorabilia.
A star quarterback and former catalog model, Quinn is the object of
affection for countless female fans and bloggers, many of whom have written
racy Internet postings. He understood going into Notre Dame that fame would
be part of the equation.
"It’s part of the job here," said Quinn, who is majoring in finance
and political science. "Autographs, phone calls to the dorm from strangers,
it all comes with the territory. It’s not a problem, it’s just part of
being in a great tradition at Notre Dame," he added.
"Being the Notre Dame quarterback is a privilege and honor. Meeting
former Irish quarterbacks like Joe Montana really made that clear to me,"
he said of the legendary NFL player, with whom he has spoken several times
about their common experience. "He's really helped me deal with the enormity
of being the quarterback here — both the good and bad of it. Having the
greatest quarterback of all time helping you out is an amazing thing."
"I chose Notre Dame because it just seemed like I belonged here - and
it will probably always be like that for me," he said.
 
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