Episode Overview

Podcast: Mick Unplugged
Episode Title: Redemption in Real Time with Quincy Carter
Date: November 28, 2025
Host(s): Mick Hunt (with frequent co-host Nick)
Guest: Quincy Carter (University of Georgia football icon, former Dallas Cowboys QB)
Theme:
This powerful episode explores the winding journey of Quincy Carter, from his rise as a young athlete in baseball and football, through success and public downfall, to his hard-won redemption and commitment to helping others. It’s a story focused on resilience, accountability, purpose (“your because”), and the power of faith and community in real-time recovery. Quincy pulls no punches—offering honest accounts of addiction, professional pressures, and rebuilding his life and legacy.

Episode Breakdown

1. Early Life, Roots, and Athletic Foundation

(Timestamps: 05:41 – 09:29)

• Quincy's Background:
  Born in Bloomington, moved to Chicago as an infant, then to Atlanta/Decatur around age 3–4.
  Raised by a hardworking mother and the Gresham Park community—sports became his safe haven and developmental crucible.

• Competitive Spirit:
  Quincy’s early drive was forged not just in football, but also in table tennis, bumper pool, basketball, and baseball.
  He aspired to lead the storied Southwest DeKalb High School football team back to championship glory—a journey he began as an eighth grader.
  “We put our head down and went to work as a team.” (07:18, Quincy Carter)

• Pioneering Impact as a Black QB:
  Quincy reflects with pride on breaking through as a Black quarterback at predominantly Black schools and at the state’s highest competition level.
  Inspiration: Charlie Ward and Damien Craig were role models who showed him what was possible.
  “What you just mentioned wasn't happening for black quarterbacks either. … But having an idol like Charlie Ward … and seeing him go on to Florida State … to win a national championship and to win a Heisman was everything to me.” (07:58, Quincy Carter)

2. Baseball Journey: Drafted Out of High School

(Timestamps: 09:30 – 18:08)

• East Cobb Astros & Exposure:
  Quincy credits Gresham Park and travel ball with the East Cobb Astros (ages 13–17) as critical for sharpening his baseball skills and mindset.

• Draft Day Memories:
  Drafted by his “original hometown” Chicago Cubs in the second round—a dream realized during high school graduation practice.
  “Getting that phone call at graduation practice was pretty cool … to get that call at graduation, man, it was pretty cool.” (11:39, Quincy Carter)

• Family & Cubs Fandom:
  Summers in Chicago with his grandfather—watching Cubs legends on TV—highlight the emotional resonance of being drafted by the team he grew up loving.

• From Graduation to Grown Man:
  First big purchase fantasy: Mercedes. Reality: “Eddie Bauer edition” Ford Explorer, thanks to mom’s financial discipline!
  “In my mind, I thought I was getting ready to get a Mercedes, but that wasn’t happening.” (16:55, Quincy Carter)

• Transition to Pro Athlete Life:
  Fast realization in rookie ball: “It became grown man business right away … But, hey, that’s what I dreamed of … so I embraced it and loved it.” (18:08, Quincy Carter)

3. Choosing Football: Georgia Tech to University of Georgia

(Timestamps: 19:06 – 24:17)

• Recruitment Dilemma:
  Verbal commitment to Georgia Tech—a complex decision shaped by NCAA probation concerns at UGA, connections to baseball peers, and influential mentors.

• Switching to UGA—A ‘Business Decision’:
  Ultimately, his heart and roots led him to the University of Georgia, despite prior commitments:
  “It was a tough decision … but it was a business decision too.” (20:43, Quincy Carter)

• Redefining Offense at Georgia:
  As starting quarterback, Quincy shifted the Bulldogs’ traditionally run-heavy offense into a more diversified, pass-first attack.
  “You totally changed … you were not a run first quarterback. … You were like, let me show off this gun that I got and I'm gonna sling this ball down the field.” (21:53, Nick)
  “It was a dream come true … I put my head down, you know, I had some great teammates…” (22:23–23:40, Quincy Carter)

4. NFL Journey: Drafted & Starting for the Dallas Cowboys

(Timestamps: 24:24 – 29:41)

• Remarkable Career Path:
  Drafted by three iconic teams—Cubs, UGA, Cowboys—Quincy notes the script-like nature of his early career.
  “It is a movie … to have those three teams you’ve played for… and then for it to end up in Dallas … was a dream come true, man.” (25:21, Quincy Carter)

• Breaking Barriers:
  Becoming the starting QB for the Cowboys as a rookie—one of the first Black quarterbacks in Dallas to do so.
  Shaking Doug Williams' hand on opening day—a hero to young Black QBs—“was a dream,” Quincy recounts. (25:21, Quincy Carter)

• Work Ethic Under Bill Parcells:
  Legendary stories of Quincy’s relentless commitment:
  “It’s 11 o’ clock at night. Watch this.” … There’s Quincy, breaking down practice film long after everyone else is gone. (27:24, Nick referencing Hard Knocks)
  Parcells provided the “father figure” discipline Quincy craved:
  “It was perfect for me … I just ate every bit of it up. I did.” (28:00–29:41, Quincy Carter)

5. Addiction, Downfall, and Hard Reality

(Timestamps: 29:46 – 37:25)

• Being Cut from the Cowboys:
  Nick prompts Quincy to “tell the real story”—Quincy lands in Jerry Jones' office expecting a contract talk, but is instead let go after repeated failed drug tests (marijuana).
  “I started a habit … I didn't depend on God like I should have … I tried to keep it a secret … but what's down in the dark eventually comes to light.” (30:08, Quincy Carter)

• Clearing the Record:
  Rumors swirled, but Quincy clarifies: “Quincy Carter got suspended or fired for marijuana usage, right? … Yeah, absolutely. At the time, that’s what it was, man.” (34:17–34:50)

• Continued Struggles:
  After years out of the NFL and forays into Arena Football, Quincy earned another NFL try-out with the Dolphins.
  Self-sabotage: He relapses, tries to “mask” drug tests, and loses the opportunity.
  “That lesson I had to learn just got a little bit more harder for me because I wasn't believing in the man yet, man.” (37:19, Quincy Carter)

6. Rock Bottom, Faith, and Recovery

(Timestamps: 37:25 – 43:12)

• Conversion from Knowing to Surrender:
  Two pivotal moments: Reaching out for help (Hollywood Henderson), and sincerely praying for God’s guidance.
  “That surreal moment … was me sitting at a table … looking to the skies … and just asking God, man, if you’re here for me, please show me.” (39:30, Quincy Carter)

• Accountability:
  “What I wasn’t accounting for is that I was the one in the way, … I was the one that failed … I was the one who was in position … and I didn’t lean on God a little bit more…” (39:56, Quincy Carter)

• Quincy’s Message for Others Facing Darkness:
  “There’s only two ways … one, you have to have someone outside of yourself … to restore you to sanity … and the second one, … you gotta dig deep in those steps and go through a great 12-step program…” (41:12–42:38, Quincy Carter)

7. “Because”: Purpose, Giving Back and New Legacy

(Timestamps: 43:12 – 48:37)

• Renewed Purpose:
  “God gave me grace, man. … He gave me a second chance, man. … I never thought I would actually be telling my whole life story of missed opportunities and having joy about it, to be able to tell somebody else and help them.” (43:12–44:03, Quincy Carter)

• Active Leadership:
  Quincy runs his foundation (the Quincy Carter Foundation), gives talks, coaches, and actively mentors young quarterbacks and youth—prioritizing drug-free living and community impact.

• Living His “Because”:
  “You have your struggles and then you can get out here and help people, regardless of what you’ve been through … And then my biggest gift is I can point them to God and I can show them, no matter what mistakes I’ve made…” (44:03–45:03, Quincy Carter)

• Powerful Closing Affirmation:
  “You got me, dude.” (45:03, Quincy Carter, getting emotional discussing gratitude and redemption)
  “Your because is your superpower. Go unleash it.” (48:24, Co-host Nick)

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• On Leadership and Breaking Barriers:
  “I had to go in and prove that an African American can do the same thing as Eric Zaire.” (23:08, Quincy Carter)

• On Addiction and Honesty:
  “I was doing things that eventually caught up to me. What’s down in the dark eventually comes to light, and it bit me in my butt.” (31:44, Quincy Carter)

• On Second Chances and Grace:
  “God gave me grace, man. I’m getting emotional, dude. He gave me a second chance, man. … I never thought I would actually be telling my whole life story of missed opportunities and having joy about it, to be able to tell somebody else and help them.” (43:12–44:03, Quincy Carter)

• On Faith and Accountability:
  “I know how powerful He is. And then to pick me back up on my feet, Nick. And that’s all I can do to give back to Him, man. … Some days, man, I should have been dead, but I’m here.” (44:43, Quincy Carter)

Key Takeaways & Themes

• Resilience through Adversity: Carter’s journey is as much about what went wrong as what went right—he owns both with unflinching honesty.
• Leadership Redefined: Breaking molds as a Black quarterback, showing relentless work ethic, and now pouring into mentorship off the field.
• Faith as Foundation: Real transformation happened not at his peak, but in his lowest valleys, through surrender to God and community.
• Purpose (“Because”): For Quincy, it’s about using hard-won lessons to impact others—especially young athletes—by sharing his full story.

Quincy Carter: Where to Connect

• Facebook: Quincy Lavon Carter
• Website: thequincycarterfoundation.com and quincycarter17.com
• Foundation: Programs supporting safe, drug-free youth, sports clinics, and mentoring.

Memorable/Emotional Moments

• Quincy’s pride and humility in being a pioneer for Black quarterbacks in Georgia football.
• The story of getting drafted by the Cubs during his high school graduation practice.
• The emotional clarity and vulnerability describing being cut by the Cowboys and later denied a second shot due to addiction.
• The shift from “knowing” God to seeking Him daily, as the only way to lasting restoration.
• Quincy holding himself accountable and highlighting the transformative power of giving back.

Suggested Listening Segments

• Quincy on the Power of Role Models & Representation (07:58)
• Draft Day Reflections & Early Professional Life (11:39, 16:55, 18:08)
• Starting QB at Georgia & Offensive Transformation (21:53–23:40)
• NFL Barriers, Parcells, and Work Ethic (25:21, 28:00–29:41)
• Addiction, the Real Story, and Message for Young Athletes (30:08, 34:17)
• Faith, Recovery, and Sustainable Hope (39:30, 41:12, 43:12)
• Redemption, Legacy, and “Because” in Action (44:03–45:03, 48:24)

This episode is an honest, deeply inspiring look at leadership, failure, faith, and the relentless pursuit of purpose—Quincy Carter’s “because.” His message: You can come back from anything, and your story can be someone’s lifeline.