Football
Browns' Quarterback Brady Quinn Denies Anti-Gay Slur Accusations
By Dylan Vox

Feb 14, 2008

Brady Quinn

Cleveland Browns quarterback Brady Quinn is turning out to be one of the hottest young players both on and off the field. This week, however, the 23-year-old stunner has come under some fire after it was reported that he was yelling anti gay slurs and harassing patrons outside of a Cleveland bar. Quinn adamantly denies the accusations, and the Browns are supporting their player.  

While at Notre Dame, Quinn was a star player who broke over 36 school records during his four-year tenure. He placed third in the Heisman Trophy race, and was awarded honors as the top college quarterback in the nation.  

With high expectations going in to the NFL draft, Quinn was the 22nd over all pick as the third string quarterback for the Browns. This year, he signed a five-season contract reportedly worth over $20 million and made his starting debut in the final game of the season.  

On New Year’s Eve, Seth Harris placed a call to 911 and accused the quarterback of harassing gay patrons at a local bar.  

The Associated Press reported that Harris told the operator, "There's a group of football players, Brady Quinn from the Browns ... and he's trying to cause a fight. His friends are yelling at all of the gay people that are around here."  

Police arrived on the scene outside of La Fogata Grill, and Quinn was seen arguing with 32-year-old Jason Thompson.  

According to Police Spokeswoman Amanda Ford, Quinn stepped back from the argument, and the police did not hear any anti-gay comments during the altercation.  

They did, however, apprehend Thompson after he turned his anger toward officers and refused to leave the scene.  

This week, in a statement to the press, Quinn said, "At no time that night was I involved in a verbal or physical altercation, nor did I have any interaction with the police. I want to be clear that I did not engage in any of the alleged conduct, nor did I make inappropriate comments to anyone," he explained. “Any allegations to the contrary are either untrue or the result of misidentification.”  

In a time when racial and anti gay slurs have been a particularly sensitive topic in sports the Browns have supported Quinn saying, "We are aware of the alleged comments made by Brady Quinn, which the Browns take seriously. After speaking with Brady and his representatives we find these reported accusations without merit."  

Quinn was not arrested at the scene and no charges have been filed against him.