Early life and career

The second of four children, McGinest attended Long Beach Polytechnic High School, where he garnered all-state honors in football and baseball. In football, he earned All-American recognition from Super Prep, Blue Chip and Tom Lemming magazines and was selected to several all-star teams, earning all-city, all-state, and all-region honors as a linebacker in 1989. He totaled 107 tackles, including 18 sacks, two fumble recoveries, four passes defensed, including an interception, and blocked four kicks as a senior. In 2009, McGinest was elected to Poly's Football Hall of Fame. On the court, he earned Long Beach Press-Telegram "Best in the West," All-CIF Southern Section and all-league honors while averaging 14 points per game during the 1989-90 season.

College career

From 1990 to 1993, McGinest played football at the University of Southern California. He wore number 55. McGinest earned all-conference honors three straight years and All-American acclaim. During his senior year, he was a Lombardi Award finalist, and earned All-American and All-Pac-10 conference honors. He started every game at weakside defensive end for the Trojans. McGinest finished his collegiate career with 193 tackles (134 solos), 29 sacks (171 yards), 48 tackles for loss (238 yards), and 26 passes batted away. McGinest received a degree in public administration from USC in 1994.

NFL career

New England Patriots

McGinest was drafted by the New England Patriots in the first round (fourth overall) of the 1994 NFL Draft. He was one of the cornerstones for New England's success in winning the Super Bowl in 2001, 2003, and 2004. He was named to the Pro Bowl twice, in 1996 and 2003.

In Super Bowl XXXIX, McGinest was used in a different manner than his regular role. While he usually lined up as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme, the Patriots moved him to the defensive line as a defensive end in an effort to keep Philadelphia quarterback Donovan McNabb from scrambling.

In a 2005 wild card playoff win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, McGinest eclipsed two NFL postseason records—most sacks in a game (4.5) and most career postseason sacks (16), surpassing Bruce Smith.

His 78 career sacks rank third all time for the Patriots.

The Patriots released McGinest on March 9, 2006.

Cleveland Browns

On March 15, 2006, McGinest signed with the Cleveland Browns, reuniting with head coach Romeo Crennel, who was the Patriots' defensive coordinator during McGinest's stint in New England. McGinest signed a three-year deal worth $12 million with $6 million in guarantees and bonuses. McGinest stated in an interview prior to the 2008 season that he would be playing his final year of professional football before retiring in the offseason. In July 2009, McGinest stated that he would like to end his career with the Patriots.

NFL records

• Most career postseason sacks (16)
• Most sacks in a playoff game: 4.5 (2005)

Patriots franchise records

• Most fumble return touchdowns (2) (tied with 5 others)

NFL stats

Year	Team	GP	COMB	TOTAL	AST	SACK	FF	FR
1994	NE	16	43	29	14	4.5	2	2
1995	NE	16	86	69	17	11.0	4	0
1996	NE	16	67	49	18	9.5	2	2
1997	NE	11	35	25	10	2.0	0	3
1998	NE	9	29	20	9	3.5	1	0
1999	NE	16	74	48	26	9.0	1	2
2000	NE	14	63	45	18	6.0	1	2
2001	NE	11	33	25	8	6.0	1	0
2002	NE	16	62	42	20	5.5	0	0
2003	NE	14	67	46	21	5.5	2	2
2004	NE	16	51	36	15	9.5	2	1
2005	NE	16	56	45	11	6.0	0	1
2006	CLE	14	46	37	9	4.0	0	1
2007	CLE	13	30	19	11	3.0	0	1
2008	CLE	14	56	43	13	1.0	0	0
Career		212	798	578	220	86.0	16	17

Key

• GP: games played
• COMB: combined tackles
• TOTAL: total tackles
• AST: assisted tackles
• SACK: sacks
• FF: forced fumbles
• FR: fumble recoveries

NFL Network

Following retirement, McGinest joined the NFL Network as a football analyst, and appears on various programs, including NFL Total Access. Prior to joining the NFL Network, McGinest served similar roles at Fox Sports and ESPN.

Charity work

McGinest established the Willie McGinest Freedom School, a program which aims to provide social and cultural enrichment for neighborhood youth. On May 3, 2005, the city council of Long Beach declared that every year, May 3 will be recognized as Willie McGinest Day in recognition of his charitable efforts and civic involvement. During the 2004 holiday season, McGinest sponsored "Shop with a Jock," an event that gave 50 Boston-area children the opportunity to go on a $100 shopping spree with him and his teammates. He would go on to sponsor a similar event in the Cleveland area with Browns teammates.

Business and Entertainment Ventures

McGinest owns an entertainment company in Los Angeles called "55 Entertainment", and has had cameo appearances in television shows such as Arli$$ and The Game, and had a small role as a detective in the film I Tried, with rap group Bone Thugs N' Harmony.

He appeared in the Disney XD show Lab Rats as himself

[ Source: Wikipedia ]