Bryant McKinnie
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| Bryant McKinnie | |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | September 23, 1979 (age 27) |
| Place of birth |  Woodbury, New Jersey |
| Position(s) | Offensive tackle |
| College | University of Miami |
| NFL Draft | 2002 / Round 1/ Pick 7 |
| Awards | 2001 Outland Trophy |
| Statistics | |
| Team(s) | |
| 2002-present | Minnesota Vikings |
Bryant McKinnie (born September 23, 1979 in Woodbury, New Jersey) is an offensive tackle currently playing for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League. In 2006, he started his fifth consecutive NFL season with the Vikings.
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[edit] University of Miami
After two years at Lackawanna Junior College in Scranton, Pennsylvania, where he was converted from defensive line (where he played in high school) to offensive tackle after training up from 250 pounds to 320 pounds, McKinnie left junior college and signed with the University of Miami.
After red shirting in 1999, McKinnie started his junior and senior years at left tackle. During his career at UM, he was an extraordinary blocking tackle, never allowing a sack on a quarterback for his entire collegiate career. McKinnie was named as an All-American in 2000 and 2001. Also in 2001, McKinnie was the winner of the Outland Trophy, finished 8th overall in voting for the 2001 Heisman Trophy, was the CNN Sports Illustrated "Player of the Year" and a key part of the Hurricanes' 2001 National Championship. Also at UM, he was a roommate with current NFL tight end Jeremy Shockey.
[edit] FHM magazine article
In the September 2006 issue of FHM magazine, McKinnie was one of five University of Miami alumni prominently featured in an article titled: "University of Miami Hit Squad: The Hurricanes are Taking Over the NFL. Deal with it." In the article, McKinnie said: "If you put together a team made up of guys playing in the NFL who come from the University of Miami, we'd be playing in the Super Bowl this season. And I think we'd win."
[edit] NFL career
After the release of Todd Steussie, the Vikings failed to replace him at left tackle. McKinnie was the seventh overall pick in the 2002 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings. McKinnie has been the starting left tackle for the Vikings since his rookie season, in which he held out until mid-November. Many expected the addition of two Pro Bowl linemen to the Vikings line, (Steve Hutchinson next to him on left guard and center Matt Birk, who is returning in 2006 from injury) to boost McKinnie's performance in the 2006 NFL season.
At 6'8" and 335 lbs with size 18 EEE feet, McKinnie is the largest offensive lineman on the Vikings roster.
[edit] Boat cruise scandal
In October 2005, McKinnie was charged with a misdemeanor for his involvement in the 2005 Minnesota Vikings boat cruise scandal. McKinnie had been accused of performing oral sex on a dancer in a public area of the boat.
On May 26th, 2006, McKinnie pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct and being a public nuisance on a watercraft in connection with the Love Boat scandal. He agreed to pay a $1,000 fine and perform 48 hours of community service. Vikings owner Zygi Wilf said, in addition to community service, he would participate in numerous service events this season. NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said fines were likely, but he said McKinnie won't be suspended.
On September 9, 2006, the NFL announced that it would fine McKinnie and fellow Viking Fred Smoot one game check for the incident. For McKinnie, the fine will amount to approximately $41,000 and should bring the matter to complete resolution. A day after the fine was levied, McKinnie was given a raise and a seven year extenion of his contract worth $48 million.
[edit] Comments about Daunte Culpepper
In February 2006, the Vikings were considering trading quarterback Daunte Culpepper and McKinnie told the St. Paul Pioneer Press: "We already made one mistake (trading former Vikings wide receiver Randy Moss). Don't do it twice (by trading Culpepper). If that's the case, let me go." Culpepper was traded shortly afterwards to the Miami Dolphins and Mckinnie re-signed for another year with the Vikings anyway.
[edit] External links
| Preceded by Brad Badger |
Minnesota Vikings Starting Left Tackles 2002- |
Succeeded by Incumbent |
| Preceded by John Henderson |
Outland Trophy Winners 2001 |
Succeeded by Rien Long |
