Odis McKinney facts for kids

Odis McKinney Jr. (born May 19, 1957) is a former American professional football player. He was a talented cornerback in the National Football League (NFL). Odis played for several teams during his career, including the New York Giants, the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders, and the Kansas City Chiefs. He is especially known for winning two Super Bowl championships with the Raiders.

Odis McKinney: A Football Champion

Odis McKinney Jr. was born on May 19, 1957. He grew up to become a successful professional football player. He played in the NFL, which is the top professional football league in the United States. Odis was known for his skills as a cornerback, a defensive position in football.

Early Football Days

Odis McKinney started his football journey in high school. He played at Reseda High in Los Angeles, California. After high school, he continued to play college football. He first played at Los Angeles Valley College. Later, he moved to the University of Colorado. His talent on the field caught the attention of professional teams.

Joining the NFL

In 1978, Odis McKinney was chosen in the 1978 NFL draft. This is a special event where NFL teams pick new players from colleges. He was selected in the second round, which shows he was considered a very promising player. His first team in the NFL was the New York Giants. He played for them from 1978 to 1979.

Success with the Raiders

Odis McKinney then joined the Oakland Raiders in 1980. This was a very successful time in his career. The Raiders later moved and became the Los Angeles Raiders. Odis played for the Raiders until 1984, and then again from 1985 to 1986.

Super Bowl Victories

During his time with the Raiders, Odis McKinney achieved the dream of many football players: winning the Super Bowl. He won two Super Bowl championships:

• Super Bowl XV (1981): The Oakland Raiders defeated the Philadelphia Eagles.
• Super Bowl XVIII (1984): The Los Angeles Raiders defeated the Washington Redskins.

These wins were major highlights of his professional career.

Later Career

In 1985, Odis McKinney briefly played for the Kansas City Chiefs. After that, he returned to the Los Angeles Raiders for his final season in 1986. Throughout his career, Odis was a strong defensive player.

Key Achievements and Stats

Odis McKinney had a notable career with several impressive statistics:

• Interceptions: He made 11 interceptions. An interception happens when a defensive player catches a pass meant for an offensive player.
• Fumble Recoveries: He recovered 6 fumbles. A fumble is when a player drops the ball, and recovering it means getting it back for your team.
• Sacks: He recorded 8.0 sacks. A sack is when a defensive player tackles the opposing team's quarterback behind the line of scrimmage.

He also received honors during his college career. He was named First-team All-Big Eight in 1977 and Second-team All-Big Eight in 1976. These awards show he was one of the best players in his college conference.