Johnny Quinn

Johnny Quinn (born November 6, 1983 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania) is a member of the U.S. National Bobsled Team and is an Olympic hopeful for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. He is a former American football wide receiver for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League. He was signed by the Buffalo Bills as an undrafted free agent in 2007. Quinn was also a member of the Green Bay Packers in 2008. He was a two sport athlete (football, track) at North Texas and graduated with a degree in Criminal Justice. Johnny Quinn is the Founder and President of The Athlete Watch, LLC, a web-based platform for student-athletes to market their skills to colleges and universities around the nation.

High school

Quinn attended McKinney High School in McKinney, Texas and was a student and a standout in football and track. In football, as a senior, he led the state of Texas in receptions (80), finished second in receiving touchdowns (15), and third in receiving yards (1,106). He was a Class 5A first team All-District selection, a Class 5A second team All-Metroplex selection, and was a Class 5A first team All-State selection. In track, he was a three-year letterman and regional qualifier in the triple jump and 200 meter dash.

Quinn played in the Oil Bowl (Texas vs. Oklahoma) and scored a touchdown. Texas won 28-7. Quinn also played in the Coca-Cola All-Star (DFW) and scored the game tying touchdown. East tied the West 14-14.

Quinn graduated from McKinney High School in 2002.

College career

Quinn had one Division-I football scholarship offer coming out of high school to the University of North Texas. At North Texas, Quinn was part of three football Sun Belt Conference championships (2002, 2003, 2004), played in three bowl games (2002, 2003, 2004), was a two year team captain (2005, 2006) and finished as the school's all-time leading receiver in receptions (187) and receiving yards (2,718). Quinn walked on to the track & field team and anchored the 4x100 relay to the 3rd fastest time in school history (39.92) and a trip to the NCAA Regional Track & Field Championship in Austin, Texas. He was a three time first team All Sun Belt Conference wide receiver (2004, 2005, 2006) and a first team All Sun Belt Conference punt returner (2004). Quinn was nominated to the pre-season Bilentnikoff Watch List (2006) and finished 3rd in the country for consecutive games with a reception (47). He was invited to play in the 2007 North-South Classic All-Star game in Houston, Texas.

Quinn set numerous weight room marks at North Texas. He bench pressed 450 pounds, inclined pressed 405 pounds and power cleaned 380 pounds. He also set the fastest 40 yard dash for a wide receiver at 4.42 seconds. Quinn's track & field personal bests in the 100 meter dash and 200 meter dash were 10.62 seconds and 21.80 seconds, respectively.

Quinn graduated from the University of North Texas in 2006 with a degree in Criminal Justice.

In 2011, Johnny Quinn was inducted into the North Texas Hall of Fame as a first ballot candidate.^[1]

Professional career

Saskatchewan Roughriders

Quinn was signed by the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League on January 12, 2009.

Quinn was released from Roughriders on May 27, 2010 after sustaining an ACL injury.

U.S. National Bobsled Team

In 2010, Quinn was signed to the USA national bobsled team after his training video made its way to the team. Quinn had sent a film showcasing his speed and acceleration from the Michael Johnson Performance Center to Olympic bobsled athlete Chuck Berkeley, who passed it along to driver Cory Butner. Quinn's first time in a bobsled was at team trials in Lake Placid, NY during the 2010-2011 season, where the team finished third. He has competed in the America's Cup and World Championship sliding events.^[2]

In 2014, Quinn was named to the US Olympic bobsled team for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.^[3]

The Athlete Watch

Johnny Quinn is the Founder and President of The Athlete Watch, LLC. The Athlete Watch (TAW) is a web-based platform for student-athletes to market their skills to colleges and universities around the nation. The Athlete Watch has locations in Texas, Wisconsin, Kentucky, The United Kingdom, and is rapidly expanding.

References

External links

• Johnny Quinn's Official Website
• Johnny's Recruiting Story
• Johnny's Athlete Watch Profile
• North Texas Mean Green bio
• Saskatchewan Roughriders bio
• Team USA Bobsled Bio