Bryant McKinnie facts for kids
McKinnie with the Vikings in August 2009
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| Position: | Offensive tackle | ||||||
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| Born: | September 23, 1979 Woodbury, New Jersey, U.S. |
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| Height: | 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) | ||||||
| Weight: | 352 lb (160 kg) | ||||||
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| High school: | Woodbury | ||||||
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| NFL Draft: | 2002 / Round: 1 / Pick: 7 | ||||||
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College Football Hall of Fame
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Bryant Douglas McKinnie (born September 23, 1979) is a former American football player. He played as an offensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL). Before joining the NFL, he played college football for the Miami Hurricanes. He was named an All-American twice during his college career.
McKinnie was chosen by the Minnesota Vikings as the seventh overall pick in the 2002 NFL draft. Besides the Vikings, he also played for the Baltimore Ravens and the Miami Dolphins.
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Early Life and High School Football
Bryant McKinnie was born in Woodbury, New Jersey. He went to Woodbury High School in his hometown. There, he played high school football and began his journey in the sport.
College Football Career
Playing for Lackawanna College
McKinnie started his college football career at Lackawanna College in Scranton, Pennsylvania. He played there for two years. During this time, he gained a lot of weight and changed his position. In high school, he played as a defensive lineman. At Lackawanna, he became an offensive tackle.
Success at the University of Miami
After two years at Lackawanna, McKinnie earned a scholarship. He transferred to the University of Miami to play for the Miami Hurricanes football team. He spent a year learning the team's system. Then, he became the starting left tackle for his junior and senior years.
McKinnie was known for being an amazing blocker. He never let a quarterback get sacked by the opposing team. In 2001, he was named a unanimous first-team All-American. That same year, he won the Outland Trophy, an award for the best college interior lineman. He also helped the Hurricanes win the National Championship in 2001. At the University of Miami, he shared a room with Jeremy Shockey, who also became an NFL player. McKinnie once said that a team made of former Miami players in the NFL would be good enough to win the Super Bowl.
In 2012, Bryant McKinnie was honored for his achievements. He was inducted into the University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame.
Professional Football Career
Time with the Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings picked McKinnie seventh overall in the first round of the 2002 NFL draft. He joined the team just before their ninth game of the season. He made his first professional appearance in the tenth game against the New York Giants.
From 2003 to 2007, McKinnie started every game for the Vikings. He had an impressive streak of 88 games started in a row.
In 2009, after a game against the Arizona Cardinals, a sportscaster said McKinnie accidentally gave away the Vikings' plays. He mentioned that the Cardinals knew when the Vikings would pass. This was because of how McKinnie stood before the play. In 2010, McKinnie allowed a sack that injured quarterback Brett Favre. This injury ended Favre's long streak of starting games.
McKinnie was chosen for his first NFL Pro Bowl after the 2009 season. However, he could not play due to injuries and an illness. Because he did not tell the league about his health issues right away, he had to give back some money. In 2011, McKinnie was released by the Vikings.
Joining the Baltimore Ravens
After his time with the Vikings, McKinnie signed with the Baltimore Ravens on August 24, 2011. His former college teammate, Ed Reed, spoke highly of him to the Ravens.
McKinnie played a limited number of games during the 2012 regular season. However, he became a key player during the Ravens' playoff run. He started every play at left tackle during the 2012–13 NFL Playoffs. This amazing effort helped the Ravens win Super Bowl XLVII with a 34–31 victory.
After the 2012 season, McKinnie became a free agent. The Ravens signed him again on May 2, 2013, for a two-year deal.
Playing for the Miami Dolphins
On October 21, 2013, the Ravens traded McKinnie to the Miami Dolphins. He was brought in to play left tackle right away. The Dolphins had been having trouble protecting their quarterback. McKinnie played his first game for the Dolphins on October 27 against the New England Patriots.
Life After Football
In 2022, Bryant McKinnie joined a choir called the Players Choir. This choir is made up of current and former NFL players. They competed on America's Got Talent, a popular TV show.
