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Malcolm Jenkins
refer to caption
Jenkins with the Eagles in 2014
No. 27
Position: Safety
Personal information
Born: (1987-12-20) December 20, 1987 (age 37)
East Orange, New Jersey, U.S.
Height: 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight: 204 lb (93 kg)
Career information
High school: Piscataway
(Piscataway, New Jersey)
College: Ohio State (2005–2008)
NFL Draft: 2009 / Round: 1 / Pick: 14
Career history
Career highlights and awards
  • Super Bowl champion (XLIV, LII)
  • Second-team All-Pro (2010)
  • Pro Bowl (2015, 2017, 2018)
  • Jim Thorpe Award (2008)
  • Consensus All-American (2008)
  • Second-team All-American (2007)
  • 3× First-team All-Big Ten (2006–2008)
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles: 1,044
Sacks: 13.5
Forced fumbles: 20
Fumble recoveries: 11
Interceptions: 21
Defensive touchdowns: 8
Player stats at PFR

Malcolm Jenkins (born December 20, 1987) is an American former professional football player. He played as a safety for 13 seasons in the National Football League (NFL).

Jenkins played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes. He was recognized as an All-American and won the Jim Thorpe Award. This award goes to the best defensive back in the nation. He was picked by the New Orleans Saints in the first round of the 2009 NFL draft. He also played for the Philadelphia Eagles from 2014 to 2019.

Early Life and High School Football

Malcolm Jenkins grew up in Piscataway, New Jersey. He played high school football at Piscataway Township High School. He helped his team win three state championships in a row. He played both wide receiver and defensive back. Jenkins was also very good at track, winning a state title in the 400 metres.

College Football Career

Jenkins played college football at Ohio State. In his first year, he mostly played as a nickelback. He made 37 tackles in 10 games.

In 2006, he became a starting corner. He was named first-team All-Big Ten. He finished that year with 55 tackles and four interceptions.

As a junior in 2007, Jenkins continued to play well. He had 47 tackles and four interceptions. He was named a first-team All-American. In 2008, his senior year, he won the Jim Thorpe Award. He recorded 57 tackles and three interceptions that season.

Professional Football Journey

Joining the NFL

Malcolm Jenkins was seen as one of the best defensive backs in the 2009 NFL draft. The New Orleans Saints chose him as the 14th overall pick. He was the first cornerback picked by the Saints in the first round since 1996.

On August 9, 2009, Jenkins signed a five-year contract with the Saints. He started his first game in Week 11. He made his first career interception against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Jenkins finished his first year with 55 tackles and one interception.

The Saints had a great season in 2009, finishing with a 13–3 record. They made it to the Super Bowl. On February 7, 2010, Jenkins played in Super Bowl XLIV. The Saints won against the Indianapolis Colts 31–17. This was Jenkins' first Super Bowl championship.

Malcolm Jenkins
Jenkins with the New Orleans Saints in 2012

Moving to Safety

In 2010, the Saints decided to move Jenkins to the safety position. He became the starting free safety. In Week 4, he got his first career sack. In Week 12, he made a big play by forcing and recovering a fumble. This helped the Saints win a close game against the Dallas Cowboys.

In Week 14, Jenkins had an amazing game. He made two interceptions and scored his first career touchdown. He returned an interception 96 yards for a touchdown. He finished the 2010 season with 64 tackles, two interceptions, and a touchdown.

Continued Success with Saints

Jenkins continued to be a key player for the Saints in 2011 and 2012. In 2011, he had 77 tackles and a sack. The Saints had a 13–3 record and made the playoffs.

In 2012, Jenkins had another interception return for a touchdown. This was his second "pick six" (an interception returned for a touchdown). He finished the 2012 season with 94 tackles. In 2013, he recorded 68 tackles and two interceptions. The Saints made the playoffs again.

Joining the Philadelphia Eagles

In 2014, Malcolm Jenkins became a free agent. On March 11, 2014, the Philadelphia Eagles signed him to a three-year contract. He immediately became the starting free safety for the Eagles.

Malcolm Jenkins, Jarvis Landry 2016 Pro Bowl
Jenkins tackling Jarvis Landry in the 2016 Pro Bowl

In Week 4 of 2014, Jenkins scored his third career touchdown. He returned an interception 53 yards. He finished the season with 80 tackles and three interceptions.

Career Highs and Pro Bowl Selections

The 2015 season was a career-best for Jenkins in tackles. He had 109 combined tackles. He also scored his fourth career pick six against the New England Patriots. He was later added to the 2016 Pro Bowl. This is an honor for top players in the NFL.

In 2016, Jenkins signed a new contract with the Eagles. He continued to make big plays, scoring two more pick sixes. He finished the season with 72 tackles and three interceptions. He was ranked among the top 100 players in the NFL.

Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl LII Victory Parade (40140584832) (cropped)
Jenkins holds the Vince Lombardi Trophy at the Eagles' Super Bowl LII parade in Center City Philadelphia in February 2018

Super Bowl LII Champion

The 2017 season was very special for Jenkins and the Eagles. He was voted to the 2017 Pro Bowl again. The Eagles had a fantastic season, finishing with a 13–3 record. They made it to Super Bowl LII.

On February 4, 2018, Jenkins started in Super Bowl LII. The Eagles defeated the New England Patriots 41–33. This was Jenkins' second Super Bowl victory. It was also the second time he helped a team win its first Super Bowl ever.

Final Years with Eagles

Malcolm Jenkins 2019
Jenkins in a game against the Washington Redskins

In 2018, Jenkins continued to be a strong leader for the Eagles. He had 97 tackles, one sack, and one interception. The Eagles made the playoffs again. In 2019, he recorded 80 tackles and 2.5 sacks. After the 2019 season, the Eagles decided not to keep Jenkins.

Return to New Orleans Saints

On March 23, 2020, Jenkins signed a four-year contract to return to the New Orleans Saints. In his first season back, he recorded three interceptions. This tied his personal best for interceptions in a single season.

On March 30, 2022, Malcolm Jenkins announced his retirement from professional football. He is the only player to have been on a team that beat both Tom Brady and Peyton Manning in a Super Bowl.

NFL Career Statistics

Legend
Won the Super Bowl
Bold Career high

Regular season

Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
GP GS Cmb Solo Ast Sck PD Int Yds Avg Lng TD FF FR Yds TD
2009 NO 14 6 55 49 6 0.0 4 1 14 14.0 14 0 2 1 0 0
2010 NO 15 15 64 54 10 1.0 12 2 105 52.5 96T 1 1 2 0 0
2011 NO 15 15 77 63 14 1.0 9 0 0 0.0 0 0 1 1 30 1
2012 NO 13 13 94 65 29 0.0 7 1 55 55.0 55T 1 0 0 0 0
2013 NO 14 14 68 44 24 2.5 6 2 35 17.5 31 0 2 0 0 0
2014 PHI 16 16 80 64 16 0.0 15 3 67 22.3 53T 1 1 1 0 0
2015 PHI 16 16 109 90 19 0.0 10 2 99 49.5 99T 1 3 1 34 0
2016 PHI 16 16 72 47 25 1.0 9 3 98 32.7 64T 2 0 1 0 0
2017 PHI 16 16 76 63 13 1.0 8 2 0 0.0 0 0 1 1 0 0
2018 PHI 16 16 97 79 18 1.0 8 1 25 25.0 25 0 3 1 11 0
2019 PHI 16 16 81 63 18 2.5 8 0 0 0.0 0 0 4 1 0 0
2020 NO 16 16 91 69 22 2.5 10 3 58 19.3 48 0 1 1 0 0
2021 NO 16 16 79 53 26 1.0 5 1 34 34.0 34 1 1 0 0 0
Total 199 191 1,044 804 240 13.5 111 21 590 28.1 99 7 20 11 75 1

Personal Life and Activism

Malcolm Jenkins is also known for his work off the field. He started his own charity called The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation. This foundation helps young people grow. It focuses on mentorship, building good character, leadership, education, and health.

Jenkins has also spoken out about social justice issues. He has worked to improve relationships between police and communities. He has met with lawmakers and written articles to share his views. He wants to bring attention to racial inequality.

Images for kids

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Malcolm Jenkins para niños

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