Quinn Early

Last updated

Quinn Early
No. 87, 89, 88
Position: Wide receiver
Personal information
Born: (1965-04-13) April 13, 1965 (age 59)
West Hempstead, New York, U.S.
Height:6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:190 lb (86 kg)
Career information
High school: Great Neck South
(Great Neck, New York)
College: Iowa
NFL draft: 1988  / round: 3 / pick: 60
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Receptions:460
Receiving yards:6,448
Touchdowns:40
Player stats at PFR

Quinn Remar Early (born April 13, 1965) is an American former professional football player who was selected by the San Diego Chargers in the third round of the 1988 NFL draft. [1] Early was a wide receiver who played college football for the University of Iowa Hawkeyes. Early played in 12 National Football League (NFL) seasons from 1988 to 1999.

Contents

High School and College

Early played high school football at Great Neck South High School in Great Neck, New York. [2] He was an All-New York Team selection in track & field, as well as an All-County Team member in both football and basketball. [3]

As a four-year letterwinner for the Iowa Hawkeyes, Early was named First Team All-Big Ten in 1987 as a wide receiver. He finished the 1987 season as the Big Ten leader in receptions, and finished second in receiving yards (978) and touchdowns (10). As a senior, he was named Third Team All-American. [3]

Early helped the Hawkeyes win the 1985 Big Ten title, but their 45–28 loss to UCLA in the Rose Bowl marked the only bowl game loss during his college tenure. Early played a significant role in Iowa's victories at the 1986 [4] and 1987 Holiday Bowls, [5] as well as the 1984 Freedom Bowl. [6] Both Holiday bowl victories in back-to-back seasons came by a single point:

During his career at Iowa, Early was a key receiving target for three future NFL quarterbacks: Chuck Long, Mark Vlasic, Chuck Hartlieb and Dan McGwire. [4] [6] [5]

NFL

San Diego Chargers (1988-1990)

Early was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the third round of the 1988 NFL Draft, [7] the 1th wide receiver to be drafted (and the second wide receiver selected by the Chargers behind first-round selection Anthony Miller of Tennessee. Early was the Hawkeyes' highest draft pick in 1988.

Early played three seasons with the Chargers, totaling 55 receptions, 739 yards and 5 touchdowns during that span. More than half of those figures came in his rookie season (29–375–4), as he missed 10 games in 1989, and started just three games in 1990.

New Orleans Saints (1991-1995)

Prior to the 1991 season, Early joined the New Orleans Saints, where he would remain for the next five seasons. He would reach the postseason for first time in 1991 and again in 1992. In a 1992 NFC Wild Card Game loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, Early caught a team-best seven passes for 93 yards and his only postseason touchdown, a 7-yard pass from Bobby Hebert.

Progressively, his playing time and opportunities as a pass receiver increased each season, peaking in 1995, when Early recorded career bests of 135 targets, 1,087 receiving yards and 8 touchdowns. In 1994, he caught a career-best 82 passes.

Buffalo Bills (1996-1998)

Early signed with the Buffalo Bills in 1996, reaching the playoffs in 1996 and 1998 (however, Early was not active for the 1998 playoffs).

1996 proved to be Early's most productive season in Buffalo. His 63-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter of the Bills' Week 2 game provided the game-winning points in a 17–10 home win over the Super Bowl-bound New England Patriots. He also recorded a career-long 95-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter of a Week 14 loss at Indianapolis.

In the Bills' 1996-97 AFC Wild Card playoff loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, Early recorded postseason bests in receptions (9) and receiving yards (122). The upstart Jaguars -- only in their second season -- upset Buffalo at Rich Stadium 30–27. [8] It would be his last NFL postseason appearance.

New York Jets (1999)

Early retired after a stint with the New York Jets in 1999. Despite playing in all 16 games, he recorded just three starts, collecting just six receptions for 83 yards.

NFL career statistics

Legend
Led the league
BoldCareer high

Regular season

YearTeamGamesReceiving
GPGSRecYdsAvgLngTD
1988 SDG 16112937512.9384
1989 SDG 631112611.5210
1990 SDG 1431523815.9451
1991 NOR 15123254116.9522
1992 NOR 16163056618.9595
1993 NOR 16154567014.9636
1994 NOR 16138289410.9334
1995 NOR 1615811,08713.4708
1996 BUF 16135079816.0954
1997 BUF 16166085314.2455
1998 BUF 1621921711.4371
1999 NYJ 16368313.8240
1791224606,44814.09540

Playoffs

YearTeamGamesReceiving
GPGSRecYdsAvgLngTD
1991 NOR 115418.2120
1992 NOR 1179313.3201
1996 BUF 11912213.6250
332125612.2251

Martial Arts and Stuntman

Early taught Choy Li Fut Kung Fu in San Diego [9] and has written and published for Inside Kung Fu magazine. [10] Early also serves as a stunt performer (both credited and uncredited) in both movies and television. IMDb credits him [11] as having been a stunt double in productions for actors Will Smith, Michael Dorn, Richard Roundtree, Shemar Moore, Mike Epps, Mykelti Williamson and Chike Okonkwo. Early has served as writer for two episodes of This Is One and RSVP, as well as the 2023 television movie Stay Out. [11]

In January 2013, Early was one of several professionals named as part of a mentoring program to assist with former #1 overall draft pick JaMarcus Russell's potential comeback to the NFL. [12]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Reggie Wayne</span> American football player and coach (born 1978)

Reginald Wayne is an American former professional football wide receiver who played 14 seasons with the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Miami Hurricanes, and was selected by the Colts in the first round of the 2001 NFL draft with the 30th overall pick. A six-time Pro Bowl selection, Wayne was a member of the Colts' Super Bowl XLI. He ranks second in Colts' franchise history to Marvin Harrison in major receiving categories: receptions, receiving yards, targets, and receiving touchdowns. On December 14, 2014, Wayne played in both his 209th game and his 142nd win as a member of the Colts, breaking the franchise records set by Peyton Manning.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Philip Rivers</span> American football player (born 1981)

Philip Michael Rivers is an American former professional football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 17 seasons, primarily with the Chargers franchise. He played college football for the NC State Wolfpack and was selected fourth overall in the 2004 NFL draft by the New York Giants, who traded him to the San Diego Chargers during the draft. Rivers was a member of the Chargers for 16 seasons and played his final season for the Indianapolis Colts. Since 2021, he has served as the head football coach at St. Michael Catholic High School.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Keenan McCardell</span> American football player and coach (born 1970)

Keenan Wayne McCardell is an American football coach and former wide receiver who is the wide receivers coach for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). He previously served as the wide receivers coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars, University of Maryland, College Park and Washington Redskins.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cliff Branch</span> American football player (1948–2019)

Clifford Branch Jr. was an American professional football wide receiver who played for the Oakland / Los Angeles Raiders during his entire 14-year National Football League (NFL) career. He won three NFL championships with the Raiders in Super Bowl XI, XV, and XVIII. He was selected by the Raiders in the fourth round of the 1972 NFL draft after playing college football for the Colorado Buffaloes. He was posthumously elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tim Dwight</span> American football player (born 1975)

Timothy John Dwight Jr. is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver and return specialist for 10 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Iowa Hawkeyes, and was a two-time All-American. He was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth round of the 1998 NFL draft, and he played professionally for the Falcons, San Diego Chargers, New England Patriots, New York Jets and Oakland Raiders of the NFL.

Ronnie Keith Harmon is an American former professional football player who was a running back for 12 seasons in the National Football League (NFL) from 1986 to 1997.

Lawrence Anthony Miller is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL) for the San Diego Chargers, Denver Broncos and Dallas Cowboys. He played college football at the University of Tennessee.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scott Chandler (American football)</span> American football player (born 1985)

William Scott Chandler is a former American football tight end. He played college football at Iowa and was selected by the San Diego Chargers in the fourth round of the 2007 NFL draft. He was also a member of the Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Buffalo Bills, and New England Patriots.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stevie Johnson</span> American football player (born 1986)

Steven John Johnson Jr. is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL). Johnson was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the seventh round of the 2008 NFL draft and also played for the San Francisco 49ers and San Diego Chargers. He played college football at Kentucky. Despite never making the Pro Bowl, Johnson was the first Bills receiver to post back-to-back seasons with over 1,000 yards receiving, and has been considered one of the best draft steals in franchise history.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Keenan Allen</span> American football player (born 1992)

Keenan Alexander Allen is an American professional football wide receiver for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the California Golden Bears before leaving after his junior year. He was selected by the San Diego Chargers in the third round of the 2013 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tyreek Hill</span> American football player (born 1994)

Tyreek Hill is an American professional football wide receiver for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League (NFL). Hill was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the fifth round of the 2016 NFL draft. He played college football at Garden City, Oklahoma State, and West Alabama.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hunter Henry</span> American football player (born 1994)

Hunter Henry is an American professional football tight end for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Arkansas Razorbacks, earning unanimous All-American honors in 2015. Henry was selected by the San Diego Chargers in the second round of the 2016 NFL draft. He was a member of the Chargers for five seasons before joining the Patriots in 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Williams (wide receiver, born 1994)</span> American football player (born 1994)

Michael K. Williams is an American professional football wide receiver for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Clemson Tigers and was selected by the Los Angeles Chargers seventh overall in the 2017 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">C. J. Beathard</span> American football player (born 1993)

Casey Jarrett Beathard is an American professional football quarterback who is a free agent. He played college football for the Iowa Hawkeyes and was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the third round of the 2017 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zay Jones</span> American football player (born 1995)

Isaiah Avery "Zay" Jones is an American professional football player who is a wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at East Carolina. Jones is the all-time NCAA Division I career receptions leader with 399 as well as the all-time NCAA Division I single-season receptions leader with 158.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">George Kittle</span> American football player (born 1993)

George Krieger Kittle is an American professional football tight end for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Iowa Hawkeyes and was selected by the 49ers in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL draft. He is a five-time Pro Bowler and was a first-team All-Pro in 2019 and 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">D. J. Chark</span> American football player (born 1996)

Darrell Demont "D. J." Chark Jr. is an American professional football wide receiver for the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the LSU Tigers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ja'Marr Chase</span> American football player (born 2000)

Ja'Marr Anthony Chase is an American professional football wide receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at LSU, where he won the Fred Biletnikoff Award and the 2020 College Football Playoff National Championship as a sophomore. Selected fifth overall by the Bengals in the 2021 NFL draft, Chase was named the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and a second-team All-Pro after setting the rookie record for single-game receiving yards en route to an appearance in Super Bowl LVI.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gabe Davis</span> American football player (born 1999)

Gabriel Davis is an American professional football wide receiver for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at UCF and was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL draft. Davis has been nicknamed "Big-Game Gabe" due to his performance in important games.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sam LaPorta</span> American football player (born 2001)

Samuel Joseph LaPorta is an American professional football tight end for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Iowa Hawkeyes and was named the Big Ten Tight End of the Year in 2022. He was selected by the Lions in the second round of the 2023 NFL draft. As a rookie, Laporta was named a second-team All-Pro and voted to the Pro Bowl. He also broke the NFL record for receptions by a rookie tight end, along with breaking Detroit franchise records for receiving yards and touchdowns by a rookie tight end.

References

  1. ↑ "1988 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
  2. ↑ "Quinn Early Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved June 9, 2024.
  3. 1 2 "Quinn Early profile, statistics and more". www.espn.com. Retrieved June 9, 2024.
  4. 1 2 "1986 Iowa Hawkeyes Stats". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved June 9, 2024.
  5. 1 2 "1987 Iowa Hawkeyes Stats". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved June 9, 2024.
  6. 1 2 "1984 Iowa Hawkeyes Stats". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved June 9, 2024.
  7. ↑ "1988 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved June 9, 2024.
  8. ↑ "Wild Card - Jacksonville Jaguars at Buffalo Bills - December 28th, 1996". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved June 9, 2024.
  9. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on February 7, 2008. Retrieved March 24, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  10. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on July 18, 2011. Retrieved August 12, 2009.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  11. 1 2 "Quinn Early | Stunts, Actor, Writer". IMDb. Retrieved June 9, 2024.
  12. ↑ Rand, Michael (January 23, 2013). "Wednesday (JaMarcus Russell -- another name for the Vikings?) edition: Wha' Happened?". StarTribune.com. Retrieved June 9, 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.