There are only a few people on this planet who are lucky to have multiple skills. They try their hands at different fields and are fortunate enough to succeed there.

Similarly, Willie McGinest is one of those names who is well recognized in sports and entertainment. Thus, he is a former American football linebacker who played in the NFL for 15 seasons.

Not to mention, he is also an analyst, a philanthropist, and a business tycoon at the same time. He is a father of three and a loving husband too. Willie is a three-time Super Bowl champion and a two-time Pro Bowl winner.

Not only that, he has many other awards and honors titled to him during the peak time of his career. We shall unveil all of this.

But before digging into his life, let’s have a smart sneak-peek into Wille McGinest’s quick facts.

Willie McGinest | Quick Facts

Willie McGinest | Early Life

On  December 11, 1971, William Lee McGinest Jr. was born to his parents Willie McGinest and Joyce McGinest, in Long Beach, California. He had a brother and two sisters. And, he was second of them.

Further, he went to Long Beach Polytechnic High School, where he played basketball and football and garnered his skills. McGinest also received all-state honors in basketball and football. But, gradually, with the pace of time, he showered more of his interests in football.

Talking about his high school achievements, he got All-American recognition from Super Prep, Blue Chip, and Tom Lemming magazines. There is much more to it. He was chosen to various all-star teams, grabbed all-city, all-state, and all-region honors as a linebacker in 1989.

Willie netted 107 tackles, 18 sacks, two fumble recoveries, four passes defended and blocked four kicks in his senior year.

Moreover, he received Long Beach Press-Telegram “Best in the West,” All-CIF Southern Section, and all-league honors while scoring 14 points per game the same season.

Willie McGinest | College Career

Moving to his college career, he went to play football at the University of Southern California during the tenure of 1993 to 1994. He took Jersey no. 55.

McGinest achieved all-conference honors for three consecutive years and an All-American award. He was also the recipient of All-Pac-10 Conference honors. He kicked off every tournament at weakside defensive end for the Trojans.

Besides sports, the energetic linebacker topped at football and was a degree holder in Public Administration from the same university in 1994. He was a Lombardi Award finalist, too, in his senior year.

With 193 tackles (134 solos), 29 sacks (171 yards), 48 tackles for loss (238 yards), he completed his college career.

Willie McGInest | NFL Career

New England Patriots

After completing college, he opted to join the NFL and announced his draft.  The New England Patriots selected him in the first round (fourth overall) of the NFL Draft 1994.

He led his team with his exceptional performance; the Patriots win the Super Bowl in 2001, 2003, and 2004. He was a two-time Pro Bowl winner in 1996 and 2003.

At times, he was not only limited to an outside linebacker, but McGinest was also asked to play as a defensive end to keep  Philadelphia quarterback Donovan McNabb from scrambling.

His victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars in a  2005 wild card playoff led him to two NFL postseason records.  McGinest remained the player with the most sacks 94.5) in a game and most career postseason sacks (16). He was soon marked in comparison to Bruce Smith.

The Patriots soon freed him on March 9, 2006.

Cleveland Browns

McGinest inked a contract worth $12 million, additionally $6 million in guarantees and bonuses with Cleveland Browns on March 15, 2006.  He got a chance to reunite with head coach Romeo Crennel, the Patriots’ defensive coordinator, during McGinest’s stint.

-Willie McGinest quotes:

‘‘They need to do two things if they’re going to be great and win a championship: take the ball away and keep teams out of the end zone. You have those two things, that’s the recipe for a championship” 

During 2008, he announced that he would like to end his professional football career in an interview. In 2009, he was voted to Poly’s Football Hall of Fame. However, he inked a one-day contract with the Patriots during his Patriots Hall of Fame induction ceremony in 2015.

Willie McGinest | NFL Career Stats

Willie McGinest | Broadcasting Career

After he retired from a football career, he served as an analyst for Fox Sports and ESPN. Later, he switched to NFL Network and played the same role as an analyst there. He is featured on various programs that include NFL Total Access.

Moreover, he also appeared on the NFL Network’s documentary series A Football Life on October 5, 2018.

Willie McGinest | Philanthropist

McGinest discovered the Willie McGinest Freedom School, an institution that solely and wholely focuses on nourishing social and cultural aspects for the younger generation.

For a great deed like this, the city council of Long Beach decided to declare May 3 as Willie McGinest Day to give recognition to his charitable works.

He also sponsored an event named “Shop with a Jock” that provided the 50 Boston-area children with the opportunity to shop free for $100 with him and his teammates in 2004.

Similarly, he organized the same event in the Cleveland area with Brown teammates.

Willie McGinest | Entrepreneur

McGinest never backs off when it comes to trying his hand on new things. So, here it is, he didn’t leave show business. He is an owner of an entertainment company in Los Angeles named 55 Entertainment.

His current business affairs involve Signature Collectibles, Premier Sports Management, EAG Sports Management, WingStop, and Swirlz Frozen Yogurt.

Recently, there was news where he was announced as a Nike and USC Football Ambassador.

He has done a few cameo appearances in tv shows that include Arliss and The Game.

McGinest also opted for acting and took a small role as a detective in the film I Tried, with rap group Bone Thugs N’ Harmony.

Not to mention, he was also featured in the Disney XD show Lab Rats & Scorpion (U.S. TV series)as himself.

You may be interested in reading about another NFL player Jason Witten, and Dan Fouts.

Willie McGinest | Accused of Sexual Assault

There was a widespread rumor turn fact that McGinest, along with his teammates Michael Jones and Jason Oliver, was accused of battery and sexual abuse by a female USC on October 15, 1990.

On top of that, the key witnesses told solicitors that some of the people are trying to hide the proofs  As in, a USC assistant dean of student affairs, Valerie Paton, forwarded a memo to college security that had a notice to the officers for hiding the file on the incident.

Later to this incident, the college guard Morris DeMayo with Valerie Paton was sued for their job for their inhumane act. But, the three players, including McGinest, were released of all sexual molestation charges.

This was the second time in 1990. Before that,  a 23-year-old summer school counselor mentioned that she was forcibly called into a dormitory room, pinned to a bed, and sexually harassed. The players’ counterparts were a voluntary act by the girl and are part of horseplay in their defense.

Willie McGinest | Personal Life

The most frequently asked questions by the readers and the McGinest fan, Who is his wife? How is he like n his personal life?

So, here is the answer to your question. After all the online researches, we have come along with the fact that yes, he is happily married and blessed with super adorable three daughters. He is a proud father of three, must say.

McGinest has always remained inaudible about his private life. He doesn’t show off his personal affairs. But as per sources, he has tied the knot with his wife, Gloriana Clark. And her three daughters are Halie, Hanna, and Rylie.

Halie is the eldest of all and recently turned fourteen. He is quite a responsible and protective man when it comes to family.

Willie McGinest | Net Worth

Looking at his bio, all we can say is he must have a colorful profile. He is an outside linebacker, a philanthropist, an entrepreneur, an analyst, an actor.

So much of the professions come aligning to him. The master of all, McGinest, lives a healthy and wealthy life.

There is no such precise information on his net worth and salary as of 2020 on the infobahn.

But as per the media,

Willie McGinest had an estimated net worth of $12 million.

Furthermore, he used to earn a base salary of 75,637 dollars yearly when he was appointed as an NFL analyst.

Talking about his assets, McGinest has a house in Los Angeles, CA. Sources claim that he sold a plot of land worth $4 million in Calabasas.

Here is an Instagram post where he shares about living his dreams and soaring high above all.

Willie McGinest | Social Media Presence

McGinest stays pretty much occupied by Social Media. He keeps posting about his family, friends, outdoor destinations, sports, entertainment business.

Here is one of his Instagram posts, where he seems to be sharing about racial issues and tearing down other Black men.

He is available on each possible social networking site. McGinest has a good number of followers who are loyal and supportive of him.

If you are a McGinest fan and if you still haven’t followed him yet, feel free to give him a follow and take a sneak peek into his matter of interest.

Facebook- @WillieMcGinest and has 4,166 followers

Instagram- @williemcginest and has 98k followers.

Twitter- @WillieMcGinest and has 153.2k followers.

Also, you may like to read about the NFL player and broadcaster LaVar Arrington.

Some FAQs

What happened to Willie McGInest?

Willie, when playing on the field against Colts, he suffered from a knee injury. Later on, this case took a serious issue when everyone around told that Willie is just faking out his injury in order to slow down the Colts.

What is the Jersey Number of Willie?

Willie wears the Jersey number of 55.

How much is Willie Rookie-Card Worth?

Willie Rookie’s card is worth $2.50.

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