Ex-Oklahoma and Montana Griz Walk-On Offensive Lineman JD Quinn of Garland, Texas, Passes Away

The University of Montana Grizzly football family is mourning the loss of former player JD Quinn, who passed away on May 25, 2026. Quinn, who hailed from Garland, Texas, was remembered as a man of rare character whose impact went far beyond the football field.

The Grizzly football program shared the news on Facebook with a heartfelt tribute:

“The Grizzly football family lost one of our brothers far too soon. Our thoughts are with his loved ones. Rest easy J.D.”

The post captured what those who knew Quinn had already been feeling since word of his passing began to spread among former teammates and friends.

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Quinn’s football journey was anything but ordinary. Before arriving in Missoula, he had already earned time at one of college football’s most storied programs, starting for the University of Oklahoma Sooners.

Choosing to walk on at Montana in the fall of 2006, after having played at a powerhouse program, spoke to something in Quinn that went beyond chasing the spotlight. He played two seasons as an offensive guard for the Griz and left a mark that teammates still carry with them.

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A Man Who Left an Impression on Everyone Around Him

Those who knew Quinn personally described him in vivid, affectionate terms. A close friend named Megan Kuehl posted a tribute on Facebook that captured the essence of the man many had come to admire over the years.

“In all the years I knew this man, I watched many people look up to him,” she wrote. “He was cocky, ok, confident because he could back it up. He was also kind and supportive in his own Southern way. He didn’t put up with bullshit or give you any of it. There was never a bad time spent with him.”

Her tribute closed with a reflection that resonated with many who read it.

“It doesn’t matter how big and strong you are, how smart you are, how well you can talk to people, or how many hands of poker you can win. Sometimes the world just wins.”

The words painted a picture of a man who carried himself with confidence but also made the people around him feel seen and valued. To those who crossed his path, Quinn was someone worth knowing.

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Remembered With Love by Family

Among the most moving tributes came from his sister, Abby Quinn, who posted a simple but deeply tender farewell in the early hours of May 25. Drawing from the beloved Robert Munsch children’s book, she wrote:

“I’ll love you forever, I’ll like you for always, as long as I’m living, my big brother you’ll be.”

Quinn is survived by his sister Abby. He had been divorced since July 4, 2020.

The loss has been felt widely across the Grizzly football community and among those who knew him in his years after football. He was the kind of person, as those who loved him made clear, who made ordinary moments memorable and difficult days easier to bear.

The University of Montana community joins his family and friends in mourning a brother, a Grizzly, and by all accounts, a genuinely unforgettable man.