The Full Story
Bryant McKinnie, the 2012 Super Bowl Champion, is a solid fixture in both the sports and music industries. McKinnie, mostly recognized for his unrivaled contributions as an offensive lineman to the University of Miami Hurricanes, NFL Minnesota Vikings, Baltimore Ravens and Miami Dolphins football teams. First noticed for his athletic ability at Woodbury High School in his hometown of Woodbury, New Jersey; McKinnie played Defensive lineman for the Thundering Herd football team, lettered twice in track & field competing in the 400 meters, shot put, and discus events.
At the age of 19, McKinnie transferred from Lackawanna Junior College, on a full scholarship, to attend the University of Miami.
While as a Hurricane, McKinnie was a First Team All American, First Team All-Big East for 2000-2001, an Outland Trophy Recipient, a Jim Parker Award Recipient, finished 8 th overall for the Heisman Trophy, Named CNN Sports Illustrated “Player of The Year”, and deemed the key part in securing the 2001 National Championship for the Miami Hurricanes.
McKinnie was the Minnesota Vikings’ seventh overall NFL draft pick in 2002. He started every game from 2003 to 2007, earning him a consecutive game starting streak. His remarkable record paved the way for his first selection to the NFL Pro Bowl following the 2009 season. During the Raven’s 2012-13 NFL Playoffs he would aid the team in winning the AFC Championship and the Super Bowl XLVII Championship against the San Francisco 49ers. He also received the high honor
of being inducted into the University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame. McKinnie went on to finish his NFL career in Florida, playing for the Miami Dolphins.
McKinnie has an immense passion for service and gives back to his direct communities, through his nonprofit BMajor Foundation- which is committed to enhancing the lives of youth and single parent homes by promoting fitness, healthy living and addressing mental health awareness and social needs.
Through his initiatives such as his back-to-school drive- Miami, “operation turkey” which is held on Thanksgiving Day, to sponsoring less fortunate high school students for their senior prom and spearheading a celebrity basketball game to benefit Breast Cancer research. His passion for supporting children has also added An Annual Toy Drive to his public service of giving back. His philanthropic spirit has helped to build schools and wells in Uganda, Africa teaming up with Pros 4 Africa. McKinnie hosted a star-studded fundraiser to benefit Laureus Sport for Good Foundation; an organizationstarted by Dr. Nelson Mandela that aids children in need worldwide through the positive power of sport.
McKinnie is the Chief Operating Officer of Letz Chat which offers real time language translation solutions geared towards your specific business needs for outreach and communication providing over a hundred languages. He also has a strong relationship with partner Comcast and has participated for Letz Chat in the Comcast NBC Sports Tech Accelerator
Program. On December 5 th , 2023, McKinnie was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame Class of 2023.