Brady Quinn was the 22nd overall selection in the 2007 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns. He played in 14 games over 2 seasons before being traded to the Denver Broncos on March 14, 2010. The Broncos in return, gave up RB Peyton Hillis, a 6th round pick in the 2011 Draft and a conditional late-round pick in the 2012 Draft. Quinn competed in Training Camp last year and began the season as the 3rd string quarterback and did not play in any game in 2010.
That is what makes this a simple decision. Quinn hasn't played a regular season game for the Broncos, but Treadwell has, and he has had an impact for the Broncos.
In an article from 2003, David said:
"I felt after my first tryout in Denver back in 1988, that I could make it in the NFL. I actually benefited from the year out of football. I worked out, getting bigger and stronger. I elected to sign with Phoenix, as I thought I could win the job. However, Dan Reeves must have seen something in me that he liked the summer before, because he traded to get me back. He gave me the opportunity to go to camp and win the job. I was an accurate kicker. Coach Reeves wants his offense to at least put some type of points on the board when they get the ball. He still runs his offense that way down in Atlanta."
His best year in the league was his rookie season, where he was 39/40 on PAT's and 27/33 (81.8%) on Field Goals with a long of 46 yards, including a 42-yard field goal in Super Bowl XXIV. He was chosen to the Pro Bowl and made the NFL All-Rookie team as a member of the Denver Broncos. Five years into his career he was the third most accurate field goal kicker in NFL history.
Treadwell was more accurate than strong-legged though. His career long was 49 yards in 1990. Because of that and a rulebook change, David's term in the NFL came to an end. In 1994, the NFL owners approved a change to the kickoff rule that moved the ball back five yards from the 35 yard line to the 30 yard line.
"When they moved the kickoffs back to the 30-yard line, that hurt me," said Treadwell. "Those extra five yards were too much for me. I couldn't get the kickoffs as deep as the coaches wanted. I was still accurate, but a team couldn’t afford to carry two kickers and a punter. That's what put me out of pro football."
After he retired, David went to Law school at the University of Denver. Then he practiced law for a couple of years. He was also part of the campaign that lobbied for a new stadium in Denver. After that, he became a sports talk show host at Denver-based Clear Channel corporation stations KOA and KTLK before moving to Denver's KDVR-TV (Fox 31) as sports director and anchorman.
For his service as a member of the Denver Broncos, MHR acknowledges David Treadwell with a Mile High Salute.