"In 2007, when he was a high school senior, doctors gave Robert Quinn a second chance at football after he was diagnosed with a benign brain tumor. Thursday night, after sitting out his junior season because he broke NCAA rules, North Carolina's star defensive end was given a third chance to play the game he loves - by the St. Louis Rams. Quinn, the 14th overall pick, became the 19th Tar Heel to become a first-round selection. As many as 11 more of his former teammates could be chosen in the three-day, seven-round event - including defensive tackle Marvin Austin and wide receiver Greg Little, who also were kicked off the football team for accepting improper agent benefits. (Quinn and Little were banned from playing college football again.) Florida State Christian Ponder was the first ACC player selected, going a surprising 12th overall to the Minnesota Vikings. N.C. State linebacker Nate Irving is expected to be a second- or third-day selection. ESPN reported that two NFL doctors for teams that chose in the top 15 refused to clear 6-foot-5, 270-pound Quinn to play because of the tumor, causing him to slip in the draft. The Rams, 7-9 last season, obviously weren't worried, though. The tumor was discovered during his senior season at Fort Dorchester (S.C.) High. After surgery to drain swelling in his head, doctors at first thought he would never play football again. He has said he has had healthy checkups every six months since." Read more: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2011/04/29/2257661/st-louis-takes-uncs-quinn-with.html
