It seems like Brady Quinn might have a little “Johnny U” in him.
Recipient of the 20th annual Johnny Unitas Golden Arm award Friday night at the Treemont Hotel indowntown Baltimore, Quinn seems like an appropriate winner to carry Johnny Unitas? name.
“It?s an honor,” said Quinn of the award. “Being around today, you start to realize what kind of a person he was off the field.”
The University of Notre Dame star quarterback Quinn has led the Fighting Irish to a New Year?s Day bowl or better each of the past two seasons.
As if being a senior quarterback on the nation?s 11th ranked team wasn?t enough, Quinn also set 35 records at Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind.
Projected to be a top NFL pick, Quinn threw for 11,614 yards and tossed 93 touchdown passes during his career. This year Quinn passed for 3,278 yards and 35 touchdowns.
“I got a chance to play here earlier in the year,² said Quinn when asked about Baltimore. “I love the state, I love the stadium and I loved the city.”
For the confidential selection panel that was assembled by Johnny Unitas Jr., president of the Golden Arm Educational Foundation, citizenship, character, scholastic achievement and leadership are just as important as athletic skill. Quinn excelled in the classroom, where he will graduate in a little more than three years with degrees in political science and finance.
“I think as a player he speaks for himself,” Johnny Unitas Jr. said. “He?s just a great kid; we spent the day with him today, and he is a super nice guy. He has his head screwed on straight; he knows what he is doing on the field and in life.”
