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An emotional Quinton Washington delivered the speech of the night Monday during Michigan's annual football bust in Livonia.

(Melanie Maxwell | MLive.com)

LIVONIA -- When Quinton Washington came to Ann Arbor in 2009, basic tasks most take for granted seemed impossible.

At 6-foot-4, 301 pounds, Washington is an imposing figure that -- on the surface -- appears to be capable of doing basically anything.

Only, at the time, he wasn't.

A powerful figure on the outside, but a nervous kid searching for a way to express himself on the inside.

"Coming here, it was hard for me to even pick up a phone," said Washington, who has struggled with speech problems his entire life. "I couldn't order at a restaurant."

Five years ago, Quinton Washington couldn't order food.

Monday, in front of hundreds at Michigan's annual football bust in Livonia, he spoke with fluidity and poise. Offering various "thank yous" to all of those who have helped him along the way during his time at Michigan .

From teammates to professors. To his girlfriend, who is nine months pregnant. To his father, who went through triple bypass surgery earlier this year but still made the 13-hour drive from South Carolina to be with his son Monday.

And when it ended, Washington's inspirational speech drew the loudest cheer of the night.

In fact, of all 18 Michigan seniors to deliver their M Ring speeches, Washington was the only to receive a standing ovation.

"I'd like to thank Dr. David Daly, my speech pathologist," Washington said. "Working with him since my freshman year ...

"He gave me a voice."

A player who once had trouble introducing himself during one of Michigan's first team meetings with Brady Hoke, Washington already has a degree from the University of Michigan.

Presently, he's working on a Master's degree in social work and preparing to play his final game as a senior at the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl on Dec. 28.

Washington has gone from a player who could hardly speak publicly, to one of the more insightful, quote-worthy players on the team -- as Michigan's sports information department routinely made Washington available to reporters this season.

And, each time, he had something interesting to say.

He'll leave Michigan with more than 50 tackles and a boatload of memories.

But more importantly, he'll leave with a voice -- and more than one hundred teammates and coaches who are inspired by his story and journey.

"He is one tremendous young man," Hoke said. "As a coach, people inspire you. And Quinton has done that to me.

"Because of how he's gone about his business day to day, and the things he's overcome."

Michigan football's annual bust 27 Gallery: Michigan football's annual bust

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