There was a time when Carter Quinn wasn’t sure he’d ever play football again.
Now, he’ll get one more season.
Quinn announced on his social media accounts Monday evening, June 1, that he was granted a fifth year of eligibility by the FHSAA after a leukemia diagnosis forced him to miss the entirety of the 2025 season at Lely. The decision clears the way for the former Trojans quarterback to work out this summer and return to the field this fall having transferred to St. John Neumann.
“There was definitely a big period where I didn’t think I’d ever play football again,” Quinn said.
The approval marked the culmination of an 18-month journey that saw Quinn sidelined during what was supposed to be his senior season. While the diagnosis changed nearly every aspect of his daily life, the possibility of one day returning to football never completely disappeared.
The Quinns applied for an undue hardship waiver under FHSAA Bylaw 10.4.4, which allows for additional eligibility when a student is forced to repeat a grade after missing a prolonged period of school due to a serious illness or injury.
“I was really happy,” Quinn said of receiving the waiver in April. “It was a relief because I knew I could get my life back on track. Football has always been football. That’s all I know.”
The process required support from multiple corners of the Southwest Florida football community. Former Naples head coach Bill Kramer helped guide the family through the appeals process. Lely administrators assisted with documentation. City of Naples police chief Sean Phillips, who remained closely involved throughout Quinn’s recovery, also played a significant role.
For months, the Quinn family had April 8 circled on the calendar, the day the FHSAA section appeals committee would hear Carter’s case.
After months of preparation, Quinn, his family and school officials gathered for a Zoom hearing. Roughly 15 minutes later, the committee approved the waiver in short order.
“I just remember letting out a big sigh of relief,” Steve Quinn said. “I looked at Carter and he just said, ‘Let’s go.'”
For the Quinn family, the approval represented far more than an extra football season.
When Quinn was first diagnosed, football naturally took a back seat. But as treatment progressed and his health improved, the possibility of returning to the game became a powerful source of motivation.
“It just gave him something to look forward to,” Steve Quinn said. “Every day he had something he could work toward.”
The former All-Area quarterback spent the 2025 season watching from the sideline rather than leading the Trojans on the field. Even then, he remained around the program, assisting coaches and helping younger players while staying connected to the game.
His efforts helped Lely capture another district championship, giving Quinn the unique distinction of earning district titles both as a player and as a coach before turning 18.
“I don’t know that there’s anybody in the world that can say before the age of 18 they won a district title as a player and as a coach,” former Lely coach Ben Hammer said. “He deserves to play the game again.”
Still, Quinn wanted more than a headset.
He wanted another chance under center.
Once doctors cleared him for football activities earlier this year, Quinn immediately attacked the process of rebuilding his body.
Working alongside trainer Jackyson Bazile and quarterback coach Ken Mastrole, Quinn gradually worked his way back as his weight dropped to 135 pounds during treatment. He has since climbed to nearly 180 pounds and hopes to approach his previous playing weight, which was 190 pounds, by the start of the season.
“I started working out again at about 145 pounds,” Quinn said. “Now I’m up to 179.”
The physical transformation mirrors the mental growth Quinn believes came from the experience.
“Any obstacle thrown at me, I know I can get through,” Quinn said. “And get through on the other side better.”
Before his diagnosis, Quinn was one of Southwest Florida’s most productive quarterbacks. In 2024, he helped guide Lely to a district championship while throwing for 2,500 yards and 26 touchdowns against just six interceptions. He added 257 rushing yards and two touchdowns while earning Naples Daily News All-Area First Team honors.
More than anything, Quinn says the experience has changed the way he views the game he loves.
“You’re not taking anything for granted,” Quinn said. “You just appreciate everything. When something’s taken away from you, it makes you realize so much.”
And when Quinn finally takes the field for his first snap this fall, he doesn’t expect to spend much time reflecting. He’ll be too focused on playing football again.
“I’ll definitely take it in for a second,” Quinn said. “But once the ref blows the whistle, you’ve got to lock in. There’s no sympathy for me on the field.”
Follow Sports Reporter Alex Martin on X at @NP_AlexMartin or via email: amartin@usatodayco.com. For the best sports coverage in Southwest Florida, follow @newspresssports and @ndnprepzone on Instagram.
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: After leukemia diagnosis, QB Carter Quinn granted fifth year of eligibility
Reporting by Alex Martin, Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News / Naples Daily News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
