Hammer falls on Quinn;Tar Heels' DE ruled permanently ineligible

Published Oct. 12, 2010 10:13 p.m. ET

foxsports

Robert Quinn, a preseason All-America defensive end at North Carolina, has been ruled permanently ineligible by the NCAA.

Quinn, a former football star at Fort Dorchester High School, and UNC teammate Greg Little were ruled ineligible because they violated "rules governing agent benefits, preferential treatment and ethical conduct by accepting jewelry, travel accommodations and other benefits, and then lying to NCAA investigators about the extra benefits," the school's athletic department said in a prepared statement released Monday.

Quinn, a junior, could not be reached for comment. His parents, James and Maria Quinn, were shocked by the announcement.

"I don't know what to say," Maria Quinn said Monday afternoon. "I just found out a little while ago. Until I get up to Chapel Hill and talk with Robert and the coaches, I don't know what to think. People are saying and writing so many things about Robert, but he's a good boy. He's only human and he's made some mistakes, but he's still a good person. It's a part of life and Robert is going to get through this a stronger person. We're going to leave it in the Lord's hands."

James Quinn echoed his wife's sentiments.

"The university knows what kind of person Robert is and until I get the full story, I'm not going to comment," he said.

The UNC statement said unethical conduct charges were found against both Little and Quinn for providing false and misleading information during a joint investigation by the school and the NCAA. According to the school, Little and Quinn were not truthful during three separate interviews with university and NCAA enforcement staff members, and only provided more accurate information when presented with evidence that was contrary to their assertions.

Quinn accepted two black diamond watches, a pair of matching earrings and travel accommodations for a trip to Miami, among other benefits, which were valued at $5,642, according to the school's report to the NCAA.

"I don't know anything about that," Maria Quinn said.

Maria Quinn said unidentified school officials told her earlier in the investigation that Quinn would be suspended for half the season and then allowed to return.

"It was supposed to be a six-game suspension. That's what we were told," she said. "And then we were told he can't play at all. I can't believe it."

Quinn was considered one of the great comeback stories in college football. He underwent brain surgery to remove a benign tumor during his senior year at Fort Dorchester and was told he probably would never play football again. Quinn received the ACC's Brian Piccolo Award as the league's most courageous player in 2008.

The 6-5, 270-pound defensive end was a consensus preseason All-American this year. As a sophomore, he had 52 tackles and 11 quarterback sacks, which led the ACC. He was second in the league with 19 tackles for loss.

Quinn was expected to forgo his senior season with the Tar Heels and declare himself eligible for April's NFL Draft. He was ranked as the no. 3 overall prospect by ESPN's Scouts Inc.

"I am very sad and disappointed that these individuals made these extraordinarily poor choices," North Carolina coach Butch Davis told reporters Monday. "Not only did they jeopardize themselves and their lives. They have certainly jeopardized this team and this university. I know that they are very remorseful about that, but it does not diminish the fact that these actions were poor choices in these kids' lives."

North Carolina athletic director Dick Baddour confirmed that Quinn was not involved with the school's academic fraud investigation.

"We will honor the scholarships of these students and we will, of course, put stipulations on those scholarships," Baddour said. "And that is that they make advancement in their academic work and advancement toward graduation, to do what is expected of them in the classroom and outside of the classroom."

Maria Quinn said her son will finish out the semester.

"Robert's not going anywhere," Maria said. "He's still in school and will be there until the semester is over."

Also on Monday, UNC announced senior defensive tackle Marvin Austin was kicked off the team as a result of the ongoing NCAA investigation.