Robert William McQuarters, II[1] (born December 21, 1976) is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the first round of the 1998 NFL draft.[2] He played college football for the Oklahoma State Cowboys.

R. W. McQuarters
refer to caption
McQuarters at the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing in 2011
No. 21, 25, 31
Position:Cornerback
Personal information
Born: (1976-12-21) December 21, 1976 (age 47)
Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S.
Height:5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight:194 lb (88 kg)
Career information
High school:Booker T. Washington
(Tulsa, Oklahoma)
College:Oklahoma State
NFL draft:1998 / round: 1 / pick: 28
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Totals tackles:483
Sacks:3.0
Forced fumbles:2
Interceptions:14
Return yards:3,389
Total touchdowns:7
Stats at Pro Football Reference

College career

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McQuarters was known as one of the most versatile players in college football during his time at Oklahoma State, playing defensive back, wide receiver, and kick returner. He started nine games at wide receiver as a junior and finished his college career with eight receptions for 245 yards (30.6 avg.) and two touchdowns. He rushed for 69 yards on two carries and one touchdown. He ranked second in the nation and set a school record with 521 punt return yards for a 16.3-yard average and one touchdown and added 195 yards on eight kickoff returns for an average of 24.4 yards per attempt.

McQuarters played Oklahoma State Cowboys basketball for three years. Prior to attending OSU, McQuarters played basketball at Booker T. Washington High School in Tulsa.[3] McQuarters played for coach Nate Harris who, in 1996, coached the West Team in the McDonald's High School All-American Game.[4]

Professional career

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He is a favorite of former Detroit Lions coach Steve Mariucci, who drafted him when Mariucci was head coach of the 49ers, then signed him as a free agent with the Lions.[5]

As a member of the New York Giants, McQuarters had a key interception in a 2007 NFC divisional playoff game against the Dallas Cowboys that sealed New York's victory.[6] McQuarters earned a Super Bowl ring with the Giants in Super Bowl XLII beating the New England Patriots.[7]

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In October 2006, a Chicago judge dismissed McQuarters's claims that a bank wrongfully declared him in default on $1.3 million in loans. McQuarters claimed in a countersuit that the bank's representatives had violated consumer fraud acts and its employees had forged his signature on bank documents. The judge ordered him to pay the bank's legal fees of about $20,000.[8]

Personal life

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McQuarters was known for his long dreadlocks which he cut in 2007 after growing them out starting in 1998. McQuarters donated the hair to Locks of Love.[9] McQuarters is known for wearing a variety of band-aids under one or both eyes, including those depicting the Nickelodeon character SpongeBob SquarePants.[10]

On April 29, 2011, McQuarters was shot once in the back as he departed a friend's house in Tulsa. McQuarters was not seriously hurt, and was able to drive himself to the hospital.[11] He described the gunman as a man wearing a ski mask.[12]

References

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  1. ^ "Interview". Giants.com. Retrieved November 26, 2021.[permanent dead link]
  2. ^ "1998 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
  3. ^ "Tulsa World: Hornets Will Meet Bombers in Final". Tulsaworld.com. Retrieved November 26, 2021.
  4. ^ "BC's Place - MCDONALD'S ALL-STAR GAME". Oldgoldfreepress.com. Retrieved November 26, 2021.
  5. ^ "1998 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved June 21, 2024.
  6. ^ Mayberry, Darnell (January 14, 2008). "McQuarters' interception preserves Giants' win". The Oklahoman. Retrieved June 21, 2024.
  7. ^ "Super Bowl XLII - New York Giants vs. New England Patriots - February 3rd, 2008". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
  8. ^ "Top News, Latest headlines, Latest News, World News & U.S News - UPI.com". Upi.com. Retrieved November 26, 2021.
  9. ^ "Tulsa World: A Giant Impact". Tulsaworld.com. Retrieved November 26, 2021.
  10. ^ "SI.com - Writers - Clothes minded (Cont.) - Wednesday November 15, 2006 7:34PM". Archived from the original on June 4, 2011. Retrieved January 21, 2008.
  11. ^ "Former Oklahoma State star R.W. McQuarters shot in Tulsa". The Oklahoman. May 1, 2011. Retrieved June 21, 2024.
  12. ^ "Chicago Tribune: Chicago news, sports, weather, entertainment". Chicagotribune.com. Retrieved November 26, 2021.
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