09/24/2022
Happy 43rd birthday to former University of Miami All American offensive lineman Bryant McKinnie. A native Woodbury, NJ, McKinnie didn't start playing organized football until the 11th grade. Before giving football a try, McKinnie was a basketball player and a drummer in the high school marching band. A late bloomer, he started his college career at Lackawanna Junior College in Scranton PA and grew to 6'8 and 330 pounds.
After learning how to play left tackle in junior college he caught the eye of University of Miami coach Butch Davis and transferred to UM in 1999. After redshirting his first year, McKinnie became a starter as a junior in 2000 and never left the lineup. He became the most dominant left tackle in Canes history and never allowed a sack in his 24 games as a starter. McKinnie finished his college career in style with an amazing senior season. He was a consensus All American and became the second UM player to win the Outland Trophy, given to the best lineman in the nation. He also helped the Canes capture their fifth national title.
After a brilliant career at Miami, McKinnie was drafted in the first round by the Minnesota Vikings in 2002. He played 12 seasons in the NFL with the Vikings, Ravens and Dolphins, earning a trip to the Pro Bowl in 2009. He was also a member of the 2012 Super Bowl champion Baltimore Ravens.