Wake Forest Sports Hall of Fame
- Induction:
- 1975
A native of Bluett Falls, N.C., O'Quinn was an excellent high school athlete at Asheboro High. He entered the Navy and after being discharged, he enrolled at Wake Forest in 1946.
O'Quinn led the nation in pass receptions in 1948 and finished his career with 124 receptions for 1,990 yards and 22 touchdowns. He also played basketball for two seasons for the Deacons.
Following his graduation in 1949, O'Quinn played for the Chicago Bears under George Halas. After a brief stint with the Bears, O'Quinn joined the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League from 1952-59.
He found great success in the CFL, including a Grey Cup Championship in 1954. In that game, he caught 12 passes for 293 yards. Both figures remain records for the title game. His 90-yard touchdown receptions is tied for second-longest in Grey Cup history.
After his playing career, O'Quinn returned to the CFL as the general manager of the Ottawa Rough Riders and Alouettes, who won another Grey Cup in 1970. He was elected to the CFL Hall of Fame in 1981.
O'Quinn was born in Asheboro, N.C., in 1925 and passed away on April 21, 2002.
