Brody McKnight's mighty leg propels him to NFL club
By Nathan Rumohr
The B.C. Catholic
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Former Vancouver College placekicker Brody McKnight is just a couple of kicks away from realizing his dream of playing in the NFL. The 22-year-old former Fighting Irishman signed a contract with the New York Jets just a day after the completion of the NFL draft, April 29.
The B.C. Catholic
Former Vancouver College placekicker Brody McKnight is just a couple of kicks away from realizing his dream of playing in the NFL. The 22-year-old former Fighting Irishman signed a contract with the New York Jets just a day after the completion of the NFL draft, April 29.
"It got a bit crazy after the news broke," McKnight said after signing the free-agent deal. He didn't have much time to celebrate, though, as the Jets' mini-camp opened May 3. "If I do well at the mini-camp then I'm in."
McKnight is excited about the prospect of playing professional football in the Big Apple. He demonstrated he could handle the pressure of big-game situations while attending the University of Montana. McKnight's maturity was recognized by the coaching staff when they made him captain of the Grizzlies, a rarity for a kicker.
"To show leadership as a kicker is amazing," commented Todd Burnett, McKnight's VC coach. He said McKnight was extremely coachable and never took playing football for granted. "He gets it. It says a lot about the mental toughness he has to be where he is."
Burnett was one of the first people McKnight called after signing the contract with the Jets.
"I told him I appreciate everything he did for me," McKnight said.
McKnight also praises God for his good fortune. He said he appreciates the faith community at VC for preparing him for life.
"If I had gone to a public school I wouldn't appreciate life as much. It gets to your soul."
If McKnight makes the Jets' roster for the 2012 season he won't be the only Christian on the team. Outgoing Christian quarterback Tim Tebow was traded to the team in the summer.
nrumohr@rcav.org
