Xavier McKinney facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Xavier McKinney

McKinney with the New York Giants in 2022
No. 29 – Green Bay Packers
Position:	Safety
Personal information
Born:	(1999-08-08) August 8, 1999 (age 25) Roswell, Georgia, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:	201 lb (91 kg)
Career information
High school:	Roswell
College:	Alabama (2017–2019)
NFL Draft:	2020 / Round: 2 / Pick: 36
Career history
New York Giants (2020) Green Bay Packers (2024–present)
Roster status:	Active
Career highlights and awards
CFP national champion (2017) First-team All-SEC (2019)
Career NFL statistics as of Week 9, 2024
Total tackles: 321 Sacks: 2.5 Forced fumbles: 2 Fumble recoveries: 3 Pass deflections: 34 Interceptions: 15 Defensive touchdowns: 1
Player stats at PFR

Xavier Avis McKinney (born August 9, 1999) is an American professional football safety for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Alabama, and was selected by the New York Giants in the second round of the 2020 NFL draft.

Early life

McKinney attended Roswell High School in Roswell, Georgia. As a senior, he recorded 82 tackles and seven interceptions. He committed to the University of Alabama to play college football.

College career

As a true freshman at Alabama in 2017, McKinney played in 13 games as a backup and special teams player. As a starter in 2018, he had 73 tackles, two interceptions and three sacks. He was named the defensive MVP of the 2018 Orange Bowl. On January 4, 2020, McKinney announced he would skip his senior season and would enter the 2020 NFL draft.

Professional career

New York Giants

2020

McKinney was selected by the New York Giants in the second round (36th overall) of the 2020 NFL draft. On September 6, 2020, McKinney was placed on injured reserve with a fractured foot. He was activated on November 28. On January 3, 2021, against the Dallas Cowboys, McKinney recorded his first career interception off quarterback Andy Dalton in the end zone with 1:24 remaining in the fourth quarter, helping the Giants defeat the Cowboys 23–19.

2021

In Week 6 against the Los Angeles Rams McKinney intercepted two passes: one pass by quarterback Matthew Stafford, and the other by quarterback John Wolford, both of which were intended for wide receiver Cooper Kupp. On November 3, 2021, the Giants announced that McKinney was in COVID protocol. In Week 9 against the Las Vegas Raiders, McKinney recorded seven tackles and intercepted two passes from quarterback Derek Carr, returning one for a touchdown, solidifying a Giants win of 23–16. He was named NFC Defensive player of the Week as a result for his performance.

2022

During a Giants' Week 9 bye week, McKinney suffered a broken hand in an ATV accident, which sidelined him for multiple weeks. He was subsequently placed on Reserve/Non-Football Injury list. McKinney was activated on December 31.

2023

McKinney, along with teammate Bobby Okereke, were the only two defenders in the NFL to not miss a snap the entire season.

Green Bay Packers

2024

On March 14, 2024, McKinney signed a four-year, $67 million contract with the Green Bay Packers. In his regular season debut, he recorded an interception early in the first quarter in a 34–29 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. He recorded another pick the following week in his first game at Lambeau Field, a 16–10 win over the Indianapolis Colts. He recorded a third pick the week after at the Tennessee Titans, in a 30–14 win for the Packers. The following week against the Minnesota Vikings, McKinney became the first Packer in history to record a pick in each of his first four games with the team, and just the fourth in NFL history, when he picked off a Sam Darnold pass in the third quarter, joining Ken Lee, Terry Jackson, and Otis Smith. He recorded his fifth consecutive interception in the Packers week 5 matchup against the Rams, becoming the first player since 1970 to record five consecutive interceptions in the first five weeks on a new team.

NFL career statistics

Regular season

Postseason