Posted: Oct 21, 2013

Lawrence Eagle-Tribune: "Around The Horn With Ryan Quinn"

Around The Horn With Ryan Quinn

October 21, 2013

By Michael Muldoon, Lawrence Eagle-Tribune

Ryan Quinn of North Andover is enjoying a fine freshman season at Massachusetts Maritime.

The second-generation Buccaneer football player — his father is in the school’s Hall of Fame — earned the starting kicking job in Week 2. He was 6 for 6 on PATs last week to earn MASCAC Special Teams Player of the Week honors. He was 15 of 19 on PATs with two field goals (27 and 35 yards) heading into the weekend.

The 5-11, 185-pound Quinn was a two-way starter as a junior at North Andover but had two severe concussions which limited him to just kicking.

In this week’s Around the Horn, Quinn spoke about following in his father’s footsteps, being a triplet and adjusting to college life.

What’s your reaction to being named the league’s Special Teams Player of the Week? “I was very appreciative. I felt honored. I wasn’t expecting to play much as a freshman.”

How did you earn the starting position? “I guess I just beat the other kid out (a returning starter) in practice and impressed the coaches. I got the starting job and made the best of it. I’ve started since the second game.”

Mass. Maritime can be very challenging, how is it going so far? “It’s been really good. I like the military regimen. It’s a perfect fit for me.”

Your father, Mike Quinn, is in the school’s Hall of Fame, he must be very proud of you? “He’s proud. It’s cool. He broke all these records. Now I’m on the same field trying to break some kicking records.”

What role did he play in you attending Mass. Maritime? “Ever since I was little, he was taking me to the games. Ever since I was little, I wanted to be a Buc. It was a slam dunk. This is pretty much the only school I applied to.”

What was his reaction to his touchdown record (four TDs in a game) being tied last week? “He’s happy for Gus (Stefan Gustafson). He almost broke my dad’s record for carries in a game. My dad had 42 and he had 39.”

Where did your father grow up? “Wakefield.”

Did you see him get inducted into the Mass. Maritime Hall of Fame in 2007? “I was there. It was cool. It’s something he’s always wanted.”

A couple of severe concussions limited you to just kicking in high school. How is your health? “I feel fine. No problems with my head. But I can’t play full contact. But this keeps me in the game. Doctors won’t clear me to play receiver or anything. I’m content with kicking.”

Any bitterness about all the pain you were in in high school and all the school you missed? “It was hard. I probably missed a month and a half or two months. I tried to learn from it. Last year I, taught kids about concussions and how it can affect your life.”

You are a triplet, what are your siblings up to? “My brother, Kyle, is a pole vaulter at Holy Cross and my sister, Ashley, goes to Colby-Sawyer.”

Did you think of attending the same school? “Not really. It was time for us to branch out. We still see each other a lot. It’s been OK. I still miss them a lot. I call 2-3 times a week. They love their colleges.”

What are your goals for this year? “My goal coming in was to get the starting job. Now just to help the team win and try to get into the playoffs.”

How are you doing academically? “I’m doing well. Everything’s good.”

What’s your dream job? “When I graduate, I want to become an officer in the Coast Guard.”

Who’s your dream date? “Mila Kunis.”

What is your pet peeve? “When kids are talking when you are doing homework.”

Do you have a nickname? “Quinny.”

Who do you follow on Twitter-Facebook? “David Ortiz.”

Do you have any pets? “A dog, a Maltese named Buddy, and a cat named Sweet Pea.”

What’s something people don’t know about you? “I’m 25 percent Japanese, my dad is half Japanese.”

QUINNy’s FAVORITES

Group or singer: Shinedown

Book: Unbroken