Brady Quinn Era Reaches NFL's Greatest Stage: Monday Night Football

Football fans from coast to coast turned on their televisions to watch the 2007 NFL Draft, with prospects like Adrian Peterson, Calvin Johnson, JaMarcus Russell, Marshawn Lynch, Dwayne Bowe, and, of course, Notre Dame's star quarterback, Brady Quinn.

Quinn, who broke nearly every record a quarterback can at Notre Dame, was a projected top 10 pick and many had him going in the top three. However, when the Browns passed on him to select Joe Thomas and then Miami picked Ted Ginn Jr. at the 10 spot, Quinn knew he had a long wait before being drafted.

Cameras flocked Quinn and his family, zooming in on his face to catch a glimpse of the disappointment that must have felt after leading the Irish to back to back BCS bowl games.

Fans of Quinn's were heartbroken as he was the center of negative attention at the draft. Finally, when he was selected at 21 by the Cleveland Browns, who had traded up with the Dallas Cowboys, he was booed by the audience.

Quinn, an honor student and double major at Notre Dame, had captured the hearts of everyone who watched him in South Bend, but graduation brought with it the challenges of the NFL.

After the embarrassment of the NFL draft Quinn had to sit a year-and-a-half behind Derek Anderson, an average quarterback at best. Despite several adversities that Brady has overcome, his character never faltered. He was a good teammate, worked hard everyday at practice, and was always supportive of the starting QB.

Brady Quinn had been kicked around, spit on, and doubted since he left South Bend, until his Thursday night NFL debut against the Denver Broncos where he silenced his critics after only one practice with the first team.

Quinn completed 23 of 35 passes for a total of 239 yards and two TDs, with no sacks, no interceptions and no timeouts. He managed the game as if he had been playing in the NFL for 10 years.

Cleveland fans erupted every time he touched the field as they understand he is a very special player. He has a great deal of leadership ability coupled with intelligence and natural ability that forms into a great NFL quarterback.

Brady Quinn is not just the future of the Cleveland Browns' organization, but of the NFL, and he will have is next major test as he faces the Buffalo Bills on Monday Night Football for all the country to watch.

Coming into the game with an impressive 104 QB rating, Quinn will once again have an opportunity to show the world that the 21st spot in the draft was 20 spots too far.

Quinn's start on Monday is a testament to the character, work ethic and perseverance of this athlete. He is a great example of never giving up as he has taken on the phrase: "don't get discouraged, get even." 

Monday Night Football will have many story lines, but none more watched then Chapter Two of the Brady Quinn Era—playing on NFL's greatest stage.

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