Former WR Quick Taking Advantage of Unexpected Opportunities

RALEIGH, N.C. – From growing up in Hamlet, N.C., to catching passes in Carter-Finley Stadium, to calling NFL games on the radio and most recently guest starring on a hit TV sitcom, former Wolfpack wide receiver Mike Quick (1978-81) has taken advantage of every opportunity presented to him.

Most of them have been of the unexpected variety.

Quick excelled in football, basketball and track at Richmond Senior High School, and was encouraged by his high school football coach to take advantage of the chance to attend Fork Union Military Academy before going off to college. At Fork Union, Quick not only improved on the football field, but also in the classroom.

"I'm from such a small town, and I love to go back and visit," said Quick in a recent phone interview. "But I have made a huge effort to have success when I've been presented with an opportunity. Coming from a small town, I knew from early on that I wanted to be successful and find my own ways. I have had that approach even before I made my way to NC State."

That first opportunity he took advantage of helped lead him to NC State on a football scholarship, where he suited up for the Wolfpack under the guidance of head coach Bo Rein.

During his four-year Wolfpack career, Quick caught 116 passes for 1,934 yards and scored 10 touchdowns. He helped the Pack to a bowl win as a freshman, and as a sophomore helped his squad win the 1979 ACC Championship with a 5-1 league mark.

Playing at Carter-Finley Stadium was certainly different back in Quick's playing days than it is in 2018. There was a grass hill on the south end, with no seats in the opposite end zone. There was no Vaughn Towers, no Murphy Center, let alone no mammoth indoor practice facility.

"It is so nice now; it's crazy how much it has grown," said Quick. "It is fabulous, and such an impressive job that the folks down there have done, and continue to do."

Following his successful NC State playing days, Quick was the No. 20 overall pick in the 1982 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles. Quick would go on to play nine seasons, all with the Eagles.

He would earn five trips to the Pro Bowl, was a two-time first-team All-Pro selection, and led the NFL in receiving yards in 1983 (1,409). During one five-year stretch (1983-87), his 53 touchdown receptions were more than any other player in the NFL.

Although he was forced into retirement due to knee and quadriceps problems after the 1990 season, he was inducted into the Eagles' Hall of Fame in 1995.

Mike Quick has joined Merrill Reese in the booth for the last 19 seasons. On Monday, Merrill will join Mike in the #EaglesHOF. pic.twitter.com/r29oat44Db
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) November 26, 2016

After starting his post-NFL days in private business, Quick would receive one of those unexpected opportunities.

"When I got out of football I really wasn't paying much attention to football until I got one of those 'out-of-the-blue' phone calls," said Quick. "I started to do some TV as an analyst with Comcast when they first started here in Philly. I think because of that, this radio opportunity opened up for me.

"When the seat in the Eagles' booth became available, I got another phone call. I wasn't expecting it at all. They asked if I had an interest, and I of course jumped at that opportunity."

The upcoming 2018 NFL season will mark Quick's 22^nd as an analyst for the Philadelphia Eagles broadcasts.

"From the time I got there, I just dug in and figured out what I needed to do to be successful in this new venture," said Quick. "I'm still learning every day, and absolutely enjoying it."

Since leaving Raleigh for Philadelphia in 1982, there is little doubt that the highlight of Quick's post-NC State career was the Eagles winning the Super Bowl this past February.

"I can't even describe how much fun this past season was," said Quick. "Each week it got better and better. Every time they won a game, it just kept building and building, and that confidence grew.

"That was one of the best experiences of my life. Those are the types of reasons why I got into the game of football to begin with. The whole experience was just so special."

Someone perfectly synced up the entire #SuperBowl with Merrill Reese, Mike Quick 94 WIPs broadcast and it's amazing! #FlyEaglesFly #SuperBowlChampions #Eagles pic.twitter.com/ovMYIqpU3K
— A.C. Junior (@OfficialMisterC) February 23, 2018

And during that magical championship run, Quick's phone rang yet again with probably the biggest unexpected opportunity yet. This call came from Hollywood.

ABC's hit show, "The Goldbergs" called, asking if Quick would be interested in starring in an upcoming episode. The show is set in Philadelphia, and often makes references to many of Philadelphia professional sports teams.

"The casting director called me and told me Adam Goldberg was interested in writing me into an episode," said Quick. "Just like my Eagles job, they asked if I was interested and of course I said yes right away. And just like radio, I had no clue what I was getting myself into!"

Flag on the field for Barry's serious sass towards Mike Quick!
Catch our special guest on Wednesday's @Eagles-filled episode of #TheGoldbergs at 8|7c. pic.twitter.com/23eub8mMCa
— The Goldbergs (@TheGoldbergsABC) February 27, 2018

The wheels were in motion quickly. With the Eagles set to travel out west to play at the Los Angeles Rams in early December, Quick just happened to book his first sitcom role at the same time.

He played Coach Ike Fast, an assistant football coach at fictional William Penn Academy.

"They set it up to tape that episode when the Eagles were out in Los Angeles to play the Rams," said Quick. "We shot over two days before the game, but a lot of people think it was shot after the Super Bowl. It worked out great. I had a blast doing it."

HAIL BARRY: Mike Quick. Merrill Reese. Howie Roseman. Don Smolenski. Tonight's episode of @TheGoldbergsABC features @Eagles greats! https://t.co/MPnaiiZYEQ pic.twitter.com/R6BvdTnAOi
— Action News on 6abc (@6abc) February 28, 2018

Quick was quick to point out the help he received at NC State during his undergrad days while in the communications program.

"I left NC State for the NFL before I finished my degree. but so many people in the communications department helped me get to where I am now. I learned so much during my time at NC State.

"Dr. Harry Munn was my guy. He was such a good person to me. I really enjoyed taking all of his classes. I think spending time with him helped me to think about what I wanted to do down the road. What I'm doing now is something that was a possibility even way back then. When the opportunity did present itself for me to do radio and television, he was one of the main reasons why I was ready for it."

Despite being busy with the Eagles during the fall, Quick still keeps an eye on the NC State program. He is a frequent visitor in the spring for the annual alumni weekend, and has had the opportunity to see a couple of games in person during his NFL bye weeks.

"From afar, I've been really impressed with the current direction of the program," said Quick. "I love what Coach Doeren and his staff are doing. I think he is a sharp guy, and has done a heck of a job recruiting.

"What is impressive to me, is more and more North Carolina guys are staying home and not going out-of-state. They see the progress of this program, and they want to stay home and build upon that success. This year's draft was unbelievable in how well the program was represented. Being in the NFL, I can tell you a lot of people took notice to that."

As for his future, Quick might just receive yet another surprise phone call with another opportunity too good to be true.

"About two weeks after the Goldbergs episode aired, they started to talk to me about coming back on for a possible recurring role," said Quick. "So we will see where that goes. I'm just going to keep enjoying what I'm doing. You never know where life will take you sometimes."

North Carolina State University Athletics

Former WR Quick Taking Advantage of Unexpected Opportunities

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