Bryant McKinnie NEVER Got Fined By The NFL?! | Hour 2

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz Episode: "Bryant McKinnie NEVER Got Fined By The NFL?! | Hour 2" Date: May 19, 2026

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Overview

This episode, broadcast from the Elser Hotel in Downtown Miami, brings together Dan Le Batard, Stugotz, Greg Cote, and the usual colorful cast. The hour is highlighted by a conversation with Miami football legend Bryant McKinnie. Topics span from media and athlete conflicts, mental health challenges in professional sports, the evolving role of journalism, and memorable (and humorous) personal stories from McKinnie’s NFL career.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Recapping the Billboard Controversy [00:38–06:14]

• The group revisits Dan’s infamous “You’re Welcome, LeBron. Love, Miami” billboard prank, which led to his temporary ESPN suspension. Audio of the local Akron news outrage is played, serving as a trip down memory lane.
  • Greg Cote: “Dan did it all in jest... it was never meant as any sort of harsh criticism of LeBron.” [03:59]
  • Dan: “The local news. Music gets me every time.” [04:55]
  • Nostalgia and meta-humor flows as the crew discusses how local media treated the incident versus its comedic intention.

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2. Sports Roundup – Marlins, Phillies, & Nepotism [06:14–08:29]

• Quick-fire debate over Marlins’ current season, the Phillies’ resurgence after hiring Don Mattingly, and whether a son hiring their dad constitutes nepotism.
  • Dan: “If I get my dad a job, that’s nepotism.” [07:36]
  • The crew debates the weirdness of the Phillies’ turnaround and Don Mattingly's influence.

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3. Show Punishments & Introducing Bryant McKinnie [08:29–11:03]

• Dan laments the lack of participation in show costume punishments and introduces Bryant McKinnie as the new “enforcer” for on-air accountability.
  • Jeremy (re: Bryant’s “gentle” headlock): “Still crushed my neck and I was in pain for a couple of weeks.” [09:59]

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4. Athlete-Media Beef: Jaylen Brown vs. Stephen A. Smith [15:20–19:39]

• Play-by-play of the growing rift between NBA star Jaylen Brown and Stephen A. Smith. Jaylen accuses media figures of “being clowns” and “clickbait.” Stephen A. retaliates by threatening to “do real journalism.”
  • Jaylen Brown: “It ain’t your job to be a clown.” [15:59]
  • Stephen A. Smith: “Be careful what you wish for... You really want me to start reporting on that level?” [17:01]
  • Dan: “Stephen A. threatening him with, I’m gonna do journalism. Don’t make me do my job correctly.” [18:24]

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5. Bryant McKinnie on Media Conduct & Fairness [19:39–24:10]

• Bryant shares his approach to media when he played, preferring mutual professionalism and expressing concern over the rise of entertainment over integrity.
  • Discusses an incident where a misreported injury made it look like he skipped a Pro Bowl to party—when, in fact, it was injury-based.
  • Bryant: “They reported I was partying instead of doing the Pro Bowl... Everybody knew I had an injury prior.” [21:12]
  • Detailed breakdown of NFL pain management (including Toradol shots): “Your mind doesn’t know it’s injured... So that was my only time ever taking it.” [22:22]

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6. McKinnie’s Discipline & Ironman Streak [23:24–24:47]

• McKinnie proudly reveals he hardly missed games and never got fined—until a close call in his final season, which he averted by texting Matt Birk, the league's head of fines.
  • Bryant: “I never got fined either. My whole career...until my last season.” [23:49]
  • Bryant: “Matt [Birk]... reviewed it. He didn’t feel like it was bad either.” [24:15]

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7. Mental Health in the NFL – Challenges & Initiatives [25:10–37:12]

• Deep dive with Bryant on the state of mental health in the NFL:
  • Acknowledges stigma and the reluctance of players to seek help inside NFL organizations, validating a viral tweet from Braden Fajeko.
  • Details the Vikings’ proactive approach: “The Vikings have been a big sponsor... They hired me for the past three years to talk to the team on mental health.” [25:58]
  • Recounts personal experiences intervening on behalf of ex-teammates post-retirement (“They’d rather talk to me than their own family.” [27:04])
  • Critiques Dana White’s position dismissing men’s mental health: “Then somebody like him ends up having a breakdown and did not have nobody to talk to.” [28:47]
  • Discusses the importance of boundaries between staff/therapists and coaching to ensure confidentiality for players: “Nobody wants to feel like they’re talking to somebody who’s gonna go talk to their boss.” [35:11]

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8. On-Field Tales & NFL Technicals [37:12–44:02]

• Holding calls: McKinnie and the panel reminisce about the technical battle on the line of scrimmage.
  • Stugotz: “You averaged less than a hold per season in your career.” [23:34]
  • Bryant: “I don’t know if the same person gonna say twice [on holding calls].” [37:53]
• Toughest Opponents: Cites Kabir Gbaja-Biamila, Justin Smith (especially “49ers Justin Smith”), and Haloti Ngata as particularly challenging.
  • Bryant: “He [Kabir Gbaja-Biamila] was real slippery...” [38:01]
  • Fun stories about minimal trash talk and nightlife tales (e.g., bottle-buying contests with Braylon Edwards, clubbing around South Beach).

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9. Head Injuries & CTE [36:55–37:39]

• Touches on the risks of CTE for offensive linemen.
  • Bryant: “You have your moments probably where you... have a couple collisions, but not probably as much as like a wide receiver, running back.” [37:12]
  • Reveals his post-career use of NAD+ IVs for health maintenance.

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10. NFL Culture, Pain, and Sacrifice [35:52–36:55]

• Bryant candidly shares the personal costs of professional football:
  • “You miss a bunch of funerals... because there’s no days off once you’re there.” [36:24]
  • Affirms the weekly grind is not glamorous, but ultimately fulfilling.

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11. Show Wrap: Bryant’s Foundation & Legacy [44:02–44:28]

• Bryant’s fourth annual “Cocktails and Conversation” mental health fundraiser is plugged.
• Dan thanks Bryant and officially dubs him the show’s new “enforcer.”

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Jaylen Brown: “It ain’t your job to be a clown... when they see me in person, I will let you know that it’s Stephen A, Stephen B, Stephen C. Directly to your face.” [15:59]
• Stephen A. Smith: “Be careful what you wish for... You really want me to start reporting on that level?” [17:01]
• Bryant McKinnie: “I never got fined either. My whole career…until my last season...So I guess what, I never got fined, y'all.” [23:49]
• On Dana White’s stance: “Somebody like him ends up having a breakdown and did not have nobody to talk to... you’d be suffering in silence, but you would never know.” [28:47]
• On the Pro Bowl party rumors: “They reported I was partying instead of doing the Pro Bowl... Everybody knew I had an injury prior.” [21:12]
• On painkillers: “I’m not taking a shot for no All Star game. So I’m not doing it. Get somebody up, bring the other person back in, but I just won’t do it.” [21:39]

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:38] — Billboard Controversy and Akron News Audio
• [06:14] — Marlins & Phillies Update; Nepotism Discussion
• [08:29] — Costume Enforcement & Introducing Bryant McKinnie
• [15:20] — Jaylen Brown vs. Stephen A. Smith Audio
• [19:39] — Bryant McKinnie on Athlete-Media Relations
• [21:12] — Pro Bowl Party Rumors & Injury Misreporting
• [23:49] — Never Getting Fined in the NFL
• [25:58] — NFL Mental Health Initiatives & Vikings Example
• [27:04] — Bryant’s Transition to Mental Health Advocacy
• [28:47] — Reaction to Dana White’s Take on Mental Health
• [35:52] — Head Coaches, Stigma, & NFL Culture
• [37:12] — CTE & Avoiding Injuries on the Line
• [38:01] — Toughest Opponents & Holding Call Stories
• [44:02] — Bryant’s Foundation & Mental Health Fundraiser

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Tone & Atmosphere

The episode maintains the show’s trademark irreverent, self-aware, and playful tone. There’s a blend of earnest discussion—especially around mental health—with plenty of banter, inside jokes, and Miami nostalgia. Bryant McKinnie emerges as both an NFL ironman and an open, thoughtful advocate for players’ health off the field.

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For those who missed it:
This was a quintessential Le Batard Show hour—topical debates, real talk about athlete well-being, and the joyously oddball energy of Miami sports culture. Special guest Bryant McKinnie offered rare insight into life in the NFL trenches—and proved you really can have a legendary career with (almost) no fines.

Transcript

[A]

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[B]

So this is what our basketball expert said before the game last night.

[A]

I think the Thunder are gonna destroy them.

[B]

And Michelle Beadle, who was on with us earlier, said before the game after SGA won the mvp, she said it would inspire Wemby quote, it's gonna make Wemby play better. The alien is petty. So Michelle Beadle Amin's nemesis was more accurate slightly than our basketball expert at least one game into the series. Whose list was the best on those top 10 lists? Greg, which of the lists did you like the best?

[C]

I like Valerie's list. Actually, I liked it. It had certain ones that were on neither of the other two lists, such as the art of the conversation. I just thought there was a little more variety to it.

[D]

I still have nightmares about Dunk LeBatard, so that one's I'm with. I'm with Valerie.

[E]

No billboard on Valerie's list, which I thought was interesting.

[B]

Well, thank you for that. So that allows us to play the Cleveland television station that covered the billboard controversy comprehensively. I know we need to fire up the narcissist cam so you can see Greg Cody's delight when this story plays

[F]

now at 11. It's a sign of the times. This billboard poking fun at LeBron James went viral yesterday. Well, tonight, the man, the Miami radio host behind the billboard, has been both silenced and suspended. Good evening. I'm Danita Harris. Chris is in Chicago tonight getting ready for tomorrow's vote to bring the 2016 Republican National Convention to Cleveland. We're going to check in with him in just a few moments, but first message delivered. You're welcome, LeBron. We showed you the controversial billboard in Akron last night. Now the ESPN radio host who paid for it is now paying the price. National 5's Michael Baldwin live in LeBron's hometown, where Dan Lebatard's silence definitely has people talking.

[G]

Yeah, Danita, we won't be hearing from ESPN host Dan LeBatard anytime soon. That's because he's been suspended for two days. He's been suspended for putting up signs like these throughout the city of Akron. And notice, Danita, I said these. That's because they. There's more than one. Not one, not two, not three, not four, not five, but six. That's right, six of these. You're welcome. LeBron. Love Miami. Billboards spread across Akron. They cost about 100 grand and they were put up by ESPN TV and radio host Dan Lebartard, who lives in Miami. Well, the four letter network suspended him for two days because they say they had no idea what he was up to. They released a statement saying in part his recent stunt does not reflect ESPN standards and brand. We were not made aware of his plans in advance. Levitar sent a text to a reporter in response to the suspension, which reads, I guess ESPN didn't find it at all quite as funny as I did. Nope. And neither did people from akron like the LeBron James grandmothers fan club.

[F]

I did not like the billboard.

[A]

The billboard, no. Don't mess with my child.

[D]

Don't mess with our child.

[G]

A Miami Herald reporter spoke to Lebartard and said we may be out of bounds on the signed message.

[C]

Dan did it all in jest.

[A]

You know, to him it was all good natured fun.

[C]

You know, it was never meant as any sort of harsh criticism of LeBron.

[G]

No matter what the billboard's message is. People in Akron think ESPN did the right thing by having Lebatard sit on the bench a few days.

[F]

Well, I think he did it underhanded then.

[H]

You know, if they didn't know about

[F]

it, they did the right thing by suspending him.

[G]

You know, of those six billboards that we found, we found one near Springfield Township and another one near Coventry just over the Akron line. Now again, Dan lebatar's producer is supposed to be coming to the rally tomorrow. He says he has another few surprises for us. We'll have to see what those are. All right, we're live in Akron. I'm Michael Baldwin, News Channel 5.

[F]

Oh, wonder what they could be. Okay, thank you very much, Michael.

[C]

Big story in Akron, huh?

[B]

The local news. Music gets me every time.

[D]

And then that. Like that awkward silence in between the pre produced piece. Back to the live guy.

[I]

You can always tell the difference between the microphone too. It's great.

[B]

Jeremy mentioned that Greg Cody sounded like the 1950s there. You looked younger, you sounded healthier, you sounded vibrant.

[C]

Okay.

[D]

I mean, I. Dan never meant to

[B]

do this on purpose.

[C]

I definitely looked younger. I didn't know how to play that. Like. I didn't know whether to make fun of it or I would. I went all serious. Which is not natural for me.

[B]

Jeremy. The Marlins beat the Braves last night. They have the major league leader and batting average and Otto Lopez. They have the RBI leader and Liam Hicks. They are six games back of the wild card. What do you have?

[I]

They also have the only qualified starting pitcher in baseball without a loss in Max Meyer. He shoved last night. And that was even the story.

[B]

That's enough. Thank you. We appreciate everything you gave us. They shoved. That is a. He's. He's developed the baseball parlance. That is something you hear around the batting cage. It's something that's only made an appearance over the last nine years. He shoved. Is a new. And it's short for he shoved it up there. That's what it's. That's what.

[I]

That's about as close as I'll get to saying that is just shoved.

[G]

But. Yeah.

[I]

Come on.

[D]

That's.

[I]

That's baseball talk. Dano. Come on. Javi Soha. Grand slam. And then Xavier Edwards goes back to back. It was nuts. The best shutout they've ever had over the Braves in the history of the franchise.

[D]

You love run differential. That was a good day for run differential.

[I]

Dan.

[D]

12 nothing.

[I]

The Braves. The Braves are plus 86 on the season.

[B]

Good.

[I]

They're minus 14 against the Marlins.

[B]

The Braves are an exceptional baseball team.

[I]

They'll probably win 16 to 2 today.

[D]

And that concludes our Marlins coverage for the season.

[B]

I hope not. They are. They are doing it cheap. Unfortunately. They've got a lot of problems in that division. Including suddenly Don Mattingly. The Phillies are clubbing everybody.

[J]

What the hell is that?

[C]

Miracle man.

[B]

They get Don Mattingly and they cannot lose at all. How are you making that nepotism?

[D]

He was hired by his son. Gm.

[G]

Yeah.

[I]

It's reverse nepotism.

[D]

We decided reverse nepo.

[B]

But that's not nepotism.

[D]

That's.

[B]

That needs another. That. Well, it's how to get the job. Yeah, but that's not. Is.

[D]

Donnie works hard. I'm actually okay with no job, but thanks.

[C]

Dad.

[B]

No, but I don't think that the son hiring the. Is the son hiring the dad? Nepotism.

[D]

We discussed this and I was calling it reverse nepotism. And people pointed out to me that nepotism. It's just nepotism regardless. Goes either way. Can go up the chain or down the chain.

[B]

I did not know that.

[D]

If I get my dad a job, that's nepotism.

[B]

I did not think that here's a definition.

[E]

Unfair practice of using power, influence to grant jobs, promotions or other advantages to family members regardless of their qualifications. So it could be my bad.

[D]

Is Donnie qualified? Let's talk about this. Let's really talk it out.

[I]

Could be Mattingly managing. Could be Poppy on hq.

[B]

It is super weird that the Phillies all of a sudden are clubbing the baseball and are good when they started the season terribly. Just because they hired Don Mattingly. They haven't changed it. They didn't change anything else.

[I]

Pace to hit like 68 home runs.

[D]

You could argue they had a good team, though. And like, the bigger, like. But we all thought we they fired their manager because of a small sample size.

[I]

Everybody thought like, oh, they're old. It's finally over for some of these guys. Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwaber. And they have been the best hitters in baseball since Don Mattingly became the manager. 15 and 4.

[B]

I was not joking. I know a lot of people around here can't always tell what's a bit and what's not a bit. But I was not joking in any way when I told you guys that I was indeed negotiating with you, Donnis Haslam, to become the enforcer around here for our our punishments and costumes and penalties for the bucket during football season. Those negotiations have fallen apart. But I am now in negotiations with another big man who's formidable, who we're going to bring in here in a second in order to more properly administrate our costum situation. Because it's been a long time since anyone around here wore a costume. And so in moments here, we will have in the studio with us what I believe to be will be our new enforcers. Because it's been a minute since any of you wore a costume around here. And the reason that Jeremy has a neck brace on is because the last time he was in here, he put Jeremy in a headlock. And it was very painful. And Jeremy was complaining about this. Were you here that day, Greg, when Jeremy was complaining about the fact that a great former offensive lineman had put him in a headlock and he's obviously a very strong human being.

[C]

No, I was not. I wish I had been. That would have been an interesting sight.

[B]

Well, he did legitimately get hurt. It hurt.

[I]

Yeah. I mean, it wasn't supposed to hurt. Bryant was very kind and in his version of gentle, but it still crushed my neck and I was in pain for a couple of weeks.

[B]

Yeah, we will bring Brian, still in pain, in here in a second. But among the things that I want to talk to Bryant McKinney about is sort of the changes in journalism that make it so that Jaylen Brown and Stephen A. Smith are now just going back and forth at each other. And I do think this is the weird transaction where Jaylen Brown suffers from it, but Stephen A. Smith does not. Stephen A. Smith gets rewarded for the fact that that all of these guys continue to get lured into beef with him. So the first thing we're going to do here as this escalates, just marveling

[D]

that I think he just ate a donut in two bites.

[B]

Yes, he's a substantive man with an appetite and he can eat whatever he wants around here because I've brought him in here to ship shape you guys a little bit because you guys don't wear costume.

[E]

I've seen Chris eat a donut in two bites.

[D]

Shut your mouth.

[K]

Ship shape Shabbat, man. Let me tell you something, bruh. One of the best decisions I made as an adult is to start selling my merch. I'm getting so many orders in, I can't believe it. People are buying my ideas left and right. It's so just amazing. But that comes with hundreds upon hundreds of trips to the damn post office. That's why I use ShipStation. ShipStation's intelligence driven platform brings order management, rate shopping, inventory and returns, warehouse systems and analytics all into one place, saving me up to 15 hours a week on fulfillment. Everything I need to manage getting orders to customers is in one place. I can connect to over 200 sales channels, man. So instead of bouncing between tools and this and that, man, I got one system, man. It compares rates across USPS, UPS and FedEx, including my own rates to find the best option every single time with discounts up to 90% off. Boy, shipstation is a bad mother. Shut your mouth. But I'm only talking about Shipstation. Try Shipstation for free for 60 days with full access to all features. No credit card needed. Go to shipstation.com and use code DAN for 60 days for free. 60 days gives you plenty of time to see exactly how much time and money you are saving on every shipment. That's shipstation.com code dan shipstation.com code-A N Shabba.

[L]

Tony, you know that moment at a party or at a tailgate where everything just sort of clicks?

[E]

I know it. Well, it's usually when I show up, everybody goes crazy.

[L]

Yeah, you usually take all the credit for it. But it's because Tony usually walks in with Cuervo.

[E]

Walking like this.

[L]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Cuervo is a thing that turns hanging out into this is the night.

[E]

It has that effect on people.

[L]

It does. You usually take the credit for it, but again, it's the Cuervo effect. It's like that moment in a big game where everyone in the crowd just starts standing up, hootin and hollering, keep it Cuervo.

[E]

Keep it Cuervo, baby.

[L]

Chris, Cody, when you come over to my house and we put on the games, I got basketball, I got baseball going on, but what do I lay out for you and the boys for entertainment and drinking Miller Line. Uh huh. Those beautiful white cans or on draft or the bottle if you prefer.

[D]

Oh. When you open that with the can though, and you one of the best

[L]

sounds on the planet. You pair that with the right game, you take that first sip, we both look around. It's not a bit.

[D]

I have goosebumps thinking about the first sip.

[L]

We take that first sip, we open it up and we're looking around. There's just that five seconds of almost eerie silence where you're just soaking it all in and you're like, man, did we make the right call or what? That's why we reach for Miller Lite. It's clean, refreshing, easy to drink, brewed for taste with simple ingredients just 96 calories and 3.2 carbs. The original light beer since 1975. And it still hits different.

[A]

I love you, Miller Lite.

[L]

Cheers to legendary moments with Miller Lite. Great taste. 96 calories. Go to millerlight.com dan to find delivery options near you. Or you can pick up some Miller Lite pretty much anywhere they sell beer. It's Miller time. Celebrate responsibly. Miller Brewing Company, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 96 calories and 3.2 carbs per 12 ounces.

[J]

Don LeBatard.

[A]

And finally, abstaining from food for 16

[B]

to 18 hours a day could be key to treating a variety of health

[A]

conditions like stabilizing blood sugar levels and

[B]

increasing resistance to stress stugats. Mike, are you doing something like this right now?

[L]

I lost a lot of weight doing intermittent fasting and low carb, so now I'm getting back to it.

[A]

But how much in that six to eight hour window, how much can you eat unlimited?

[D]

If I could just eat unlimited, I'd do that. That'd be fun.

[B]

For six to eight hours, you can't eat unlimited.

[D]

Try me.

[B]

No, no.

[A]

I mean, this is the Dan Lebatar show with the stugats.

[B]

We need, we need to get people around here to be more beholden to the Audience. And so we're going to have to use the enforcement of Brian McKinney here and I'm going to involve him in this story in a second. He's obviously a Miami legend. He never allowed a sack in college, not even in practice. He's an all pro, a Super bowl champion, and he's a three time Grammy nominated executive producer. And I'll get his thoughts on this in a second. But let's first to recap for the audience and for him. Jaylen Brown went very strong at Stephen A. Smith. And it sounded like this job and

[M]

it's Kendrick Perkins job and my job to talk to the media. It ain't your job to be a clown. It ain't. And this whole playing the game, this delusion that y' all got that y' all running with y' all making it seem like I'm playing the game and I'm pulling the ladder down, y' all ain't doing nothing but helping y' all mother selves. And I'm tired of that shit. Y' all not being the br. And that's why people calling that shit out. And that's why people. I've came to that conclusion. And I'll tell Stephen A. Whoever else, when they see him, when they see me in person, I will let you know that it's Stephen A, Stephen B, Stephen C. Directly to your face. So you don't. You don't even know. Like, you don't gotta be. No. You know what I mean? It is what it is.

[D]

I feel like we need to work on our Stephen A, Stephen B, Stephen C just doesn't really do much for me. We got to do better with the insults than that.

[B]

Okay, but clown is pretty strong. Clickbait is pretty strong. And then Stephen A threatened him, which I don't think is in any way appropriate, does not in any way resemble journalism, but also threatens him with actually doing journalism.

[H]

Jaylen Brown, be careful what you wish for. You really want me to start reporting on that level? You understand locker room, how the organization might think about you, how the city may feel about you, how Jason Tatum may or may not have feel about you. Sneaker deals, endorsement deals, the list goes on and on. The season is over, bro. You on Twitch. Trying to do what I do and talking about me needing to step away. It makes no sense. I'm simply making the point that it is not wise after 24 hours of having your season over in the first round for you to be coming out talking about that's your favorite season. It ain't the smartest thing in the world to do. I wasn't trying to be disrespectful. I was trying to sit up there and look out by letting you know this is not a good look when you're talking about clickbait and all of that stuff. Somebody told you one of the best ways to get it is to bring up my name, and that's what you did. So who's really looking for clickbait?

[B]

They're both wrong here, to be clear. Because Jaylen Brown saying the things that he did when he said them make him an easy target on fair criticism. But Stephen A. Threatening him with, I'm gonna do journalism. I'll do.

[A]

I'll.

[B]

Don't make me. Don't make me do my job correctly.

[E]

You thought I was good at entertaining? Wait till I really do reporting and do my actual job. What you think, what you people think I actually do one thing on the Jalen Brown situation. Obviously signed a massive $300 million contract. What is that room he's in? Is it like a bunker?

[B]

Well, Stephen A. Had commentary on this as well. Goes after him on this one as well.

[H]

Not gonna get personal. I did mean what I say, though, y'.

[B]

All.

[H]

You didn't make 53 million this past year. You're gonna make 57 million next year and 61 after that and 67 after that.

[A]

You, you, you, you.

[H]

You could have video. That's not relying on a laptop. You could have a damn studio instead of some damn room or dungeon or whatever the hell it is. Produce a director. Hire somebody if you can. You can afford it. I meant what I said about that.

[B]

Cody, what are your thoughts here before we get to Bryant McKinney?

[C]

Stephen. That's gold for Stephen A. Smith. Okay. The controversy, another. An athlete sniping at him is. Is perfect. Perfecto. That's exactly what Stephen A. Wants. That's what he elicits. That's what he's hoping for. And so it's all good with Stephen A.

[J]

What a masterclass it was. I'm not gonna get personal, but your shit is busted.

[B]

Bryant, what are your thoughts here as you see the gulf widening between athletes and the people who cover them? You and I have always had a good relationship. You have always been accessible. I don't know what your general relationship was with the media throughout your career, but what are your thoughts on what you just hear?

[A]

I feel like I had a good relationship with the media. I would like the media to stay professional, as I would do the same. I think things can Get a little carried away now in this day and age of social media, because people do things for entertainment purposes, and they may not always come off being classy or most professional, but they feel like they're gonna get more views.

[B]

Did you feel like you were ever covered unfairly? Did you ever feel like a reporter crossed the line with you? Specifically?

[A]

I feel like you had one situation I had when the Pro bowl situation when I didn't play, but it was already discussed that I was not able to play because I had an injury. And that was made prior. So the way it was handled, to me, I feel like when the trainer was from, like Dallas Cowboys, he asked me to come in at a certain time. I came. He went out to dinner. You know what I'm saying? So it was like, hey, I'm here. He's like, oh, I went out with family this and other. I'll be back at this time. Okay. I waited, you came back. You moved the time again. Now this time I'm going out to dinner. So now it's like, now I'm out. And we made it clear I'm not playing. So whatever you gotta do, just do it. But. So now I didn't show when he got back, I wasn't available. I came the next morning and I was like, oh, you missed this. And we already discussed. I wasn't doing it.

[B]

It was reported, right? Was it unfair that it was reported that you were partying instead of doing the Pro Bowl?

[J]

Exactly.

[A]

But everybody knew that. Everybody knew I had an injury prior. And I don't take the tord off shot. I took it one time. Cause we were in the NFC Championship game. That's the only reason why I took it. Other than that, it's like I just played through it. I don't take Tortoff. I don't take all those things. How big was that, Neil? It was a while ago. I don't remember. But you gotta sign off a waiver and everything to take that and all that. So it's like, I'm not a fan of it. So I took it at one time just because of. That was the first I've been in my career. And then it wore off by Wednesday. I forgot I took it because, you know, your body, it starts to wear off by like Tuesday or Wednesday and

[E]

the pain comes back.

[A]

Right. So by the time I got into practice, I was like, oh, no, I'm not. I'm not taking a shot for no All Star game. So I'm not doing it. Get somebody up, bring the other person Back in, but I just won't do it.

[B]

I think they banned Toradol shots since then, but it was a fairly common thing. Yeah, I don't think that Toradol is allowed in the NFL anymore, but I know that guys would just line up for that shot because. Can you explain to us what that does specifically the numbing agent.

[A]

It basically numbs. So if you have an injury or anything, it basically a numb. It's like Tuesday, maybe Wednesday, but then it comes back. And then also the thing is, you have to be careful is you don't want to aggravate the injury because it's numb. You know what I mean?

[J]

But it numbs the area so that like, you could use that muscle as if it's 100% right.

[A]

Because your mind doesn't know it seems so dangerous. Mind doesn't know it's the injured. So, yeah. So that's what it does. So that was my only time ever taking it. And then when I realized it wore because I forgot I was not doing this again.

[B]

The body screams for a reason. It's to alert you that you shouldn't be doing something. That puts it.

[E]

Yeah, but then a little vitamin T in your system, Daniel. And all of a sudden it's like, oh, I can run, dude.

[A]

Let's go.

[B]

But do you remember the feeling of when it kicked in? Do you remember? Because you said you never taken one before. So you took it for the first time because of the stakes of the situation. It was a hugely game. And do you remember how it felt?

[A]

Just didn't feel nothing. You didn't like, you didn't feel any

[J]

pain, like right away.

[A]

It took about 30 minutes or so. And then you just. You don't feel any pain anymore. So now you're going out there playing at a high level. That's what. That's the purpose. And then. But when it wear off, you go back to that same original pain. And I had tore my. Ended up being in both feet. So that's why I didn't get to shine.

[J]

What a sport, right?

[A]

Y' all also have to remember I never missed any games due to injury. So that was part of the reason why I had to take the things. Because it was a championship game and it was just like, all right, just suck it up for this one time.

[D]

I was actually looking it up. Dan. I was looking at his stats yesterday. He's only. He averaged less than a hold per season in his career. You had to hold more than that. Right? Just not get caught.

[A]

Maybe some of them I might have gotten. I'm gonna tell you this, too. I never got fined either. My whole career, right until my last

[J]

season, like, by the team or by the league?

[A]

You know, like the league, they'll say, like, you did something.

[H]

Like.

[A]

So the last. My last year, my 12th year, I get a fine letter, and I'm like, what? But then guess what? Matt Burke, who was my senator the year before, he's the guy over the fines. I was like, matt, I went all this time, I've never got a fine letter ever in my life. So I guess what, I never got fined, y'. All.

[B]

So how did that conversation go?

[A]

What was.

[B]

Who was the fine for? And how did you talk him out of fine?

[A]

I think, was it like a block or something? I did that. They were not sure if it was, like, legal or if I did something wrong. And he said he reviewed it. He didn't feel like it was bad either. But I had gave him a. I kind of gave him a text message prior when I found out he was over. That was a position he had the year after he, you know, retired. And I'm like, oh, I got his number. Let me text him and just give him a heads up. I just told him the story. Cause I just hosted the Minnesota Vikings draft party on the 24th. So I just seen Matt Dare, and I had to let him know. I said, you know, you saved me from, like, never being fine.

[B]

He's got a Vikings podcast. Bryant does believe in Vikings. Are you excited about Kyler Murray? Because last year was a bit of a disaster.

[A]

I am. And I've always wanted to have, like, a veteran quarterback there in case, you know, J.J. doesn't make it through the season because he. He hasn't played a full season yet. So at least have somebody with veteran leadership in there that he can learn from, who, you know, can just show him the ropes a little bit, too.

[B]

I'm going to play for you. Some sound here of Dana White in a second, but after Rondale Moore's death, former NFL player Braden Fajeko posted this on Twitter. These NFL teams come out here and post these mental health awareness posts, talking about they care about players, don't be afraid to reach out, et cetera. All they care about is what you bring to the table when it's game day. Most players don't want to get help inside the building of an NFL organization because they know you'll get looked at differently. You go to a staff member, tell them you're struggling, watch how different they start treating and looking at you. I'VE seen it firsthand. Generally speaking, the trainer's room is considered something that makes guys invisible if they're in there for too long. What are your thoughts on what it is is being said there?

[A]

I agree with part of what he's saying. I do agree with the I know a lot of players don't like to be in house and discuss what they have going on because they feel like the head coach and everybody will find out. So I know that's like a stigma with everybody, but can say based on each organization. Because ever since I started my mental health awareness event, the Vikings have been a big sponsor. And the Vikings also hired me the past three years to come up and talk to the team on mental health myself, a therapist. And I bring like a player like Ray Rice and Tommy Harris. I come there again this year in October to speak to the players. And this year they added the staff as well. So they're taking the steps to do what it is and have these conversations. Unfortunately, they lost the player during the offseason. So that's another strategy you gotta work on now as to how to communicate and keep these guys willed in when they're not present. But during the season, it's mandatory for them to have these conversations. And the past three years I've been doing it in October.

[B]

How and why did you decide you're doing a fundraiser at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino? You can buy tickets [e-mail] why are you doing this? And where did you break through in terms of being able to comfortably talk about some of this stuff?

[A]

Because when I retired, there was a couple of guys that retired around the same time as me, and they were having trouble transitioning and they'd rather talk to me than their own family. You know what I'm saying? It's like we played the same sport and, you know, guy got bed cracked. I had to go down there to the ward and sit there and we're here. I was like, call my mom. Cause she's a part of the NFL Mom Association. So she was connecting people to the nflpa, like how we can get people help. Cause like their parents didn't know, like, you know what I'm saying? So it was like. And then the individual didn't want to talk with their family, share anything with the family. So it was like I had to step in and really help. So from there I was like, okay, this is a real thing. And then when things like this go wrong, we need to know who we can go to for help or like, you know, so the program, they send you away for like 30 days. It's like an area in Detroit and I think another location like Jacksonville, they'll send players away for like 30 days for some type of treatment.

[B]

The event is this Thursday. It's at 7pm and BryantMcKinney.com is where you go if you want to support what he's advocating here. But there are a lot of primitive cavemen saying what it is that Dana White is going to say here. You give me your reaction to what he says here.

[A]

I hate this whole men's mental health bull that they talk about. Unfortunately, when you're a man, you are the provider. You are the one that takes care of your family. You know, you are the example for your kids when they grow up, and your sons, you know, and your daughters. And unfortunately, you can't be that guy. That's. I see these guys posting on social media, oh, I had a bad day and I'm so sad. And all this other crazy. So unattractive. Oh, it's just. It's unattractive to other males, let alone women. I can't even imagine. Yeah, I'm really against all that. I mean, I feel like people go on vacations to, like, refresh and do things too, for their mental health, you know what I'm saying? So a lot of things. Then somebody like him end up having a breakdown and did not have nobody to talk to. And like, you know, me, feel like you're alone and be suffering in silence, but you would never know because you won't speak up.

[B]

No, the way to do it is just slap your wife. That's like, if you don't know what to do with your emotions, just drink a bunch and then slap your wife on video. The idea of it as weakness, though, Brian, the idea of speaking to weakness instead of being viewed as a strength, that's the obstacle, is it? Not? Especially in football.

[A]

Yeah, this generation is more likely to speak out. I feel like my generation, we didn't. But me having these talks, I realized that they're very really engaged in the conversation and they want somebody to talk to. I just feel like my generation doesn't want to talk like that, but they want somebody to talk to. Because our sessions are like an hour, but we always run over the time because they're really engaged and they're trying to express what it is or how they feel.

[J]

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[A]

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[C]

Don LeBatard, he called me on my own podcast. He called me full of shit claiming that I'm faking interest in the solar eclipse.

[A]

You do do this.

[D]

You love to just get excited about everything.

[A]

Okay, junior Stugats.

[C]

I had to school you and explain

[A]

to you he was gonna take you to Augusta.

[C]

I mean, when I was 17 years old, Alan, Sherry and I used to haunt the Bueller Planetarium.

[A]

This is the Don lebatar show with the Stugats.

[B]

When you mentioned Baker acting, for those of you who do not know what that is, that is arresting someone. I don't know if that's just Florida law. It's not just Florida law. Right. It's all. It's national and international. Is it international as well? It's arresting someone when you think or loved ones think that they are a danger to themself and others without invading the privacy of the player that you're talking about. What was the experience that you were going through? The specifics of it, the details that enlightened you to wait a minute. This is something that I need to be involved in advocating for going forward.

[A]

It was two players and I was close.

[J]

Close.

[A]

You know, my mom is close with their. Their parents. And I was close with them as well. And I would just see and they would call me and I, like, one of them got into a fight, but it was like he knew he was about to do it because he called me and told me prior. And I was like, call my mom. Like, are you gonna have to bail? You can call his mom to bail him out and stuff like that. And then the other person got Baker acting. Then their family told me and I went down there to visit. And I just realized, like, when I was sitting in that same world, like, this is real. Like, you know what I mean? Like, so now let's figure out how to, like, treat it, you know, how we can make this situation better. And I feel like both individuals have been better since.

[J]

I feel like it's probably really uncommon, not just for someone like yourself that is willing and open to talk to other players about it, but you're clearly very willing and open to have your mother involved with it too.

[A]

Oh, yeah. Cause I needed to know who I needed to talk to. So I called her. And she's also friends, you know, she. She's. The parents are all friends with each other too, so she was aware of what was going on.

[I]

I'm glad that you're doing this, Bryant, because Zaz right here normally just says, you just take all the emotions.

[J]

Yeah, I shove it down real deep in my stomach.

[B]

Brown liquor. Brown liquor.

[J]

To never be seen again.

[B]

It is something that seems dangerously male. Where do you see the mental health conversation in the NFL now compared to even five years ago?

[A]

It's happening now. It wasn't happening as much five years ago. I feel like a lot of teams are now mandatory having these conversations where they have to discuss mental health. And I think the Vikings are one of the teams. The first teams, you know, probably started it where, you know, you have my team coming and we talk to them. But it's becoming a thing now. And you see these guys that are young that are passing away early from suicide and stuff like that. So it's like it's there. So we just have to figure out what we can do to like, kind of control it.

[B]

Two months ago, the NFL approved a full time mental health clinician available for every team. During your playing career, was it ever okay to tell a teammate, I'm seeing a therapist?

[A]

If anything, a teammates would talk to each Other. But we wouldn't talk to nobody in house. Cause you feel like whatever you're saying in house is gonna go right back up to the head, man. So it's like you kind of stayed away from that. And. And that's what they had to kind of figure out, how to get away from that, making players feel like that. Cause I felt like that. Like, we all feel like that. So it's like. And I know they still do. So they have to figure out how somehow make it kind of separate. Nobody wants to feel like they're talking to somebody who's gonna go talk to their boss, you know what I'm saying? To share their information. Cause now I feel like, okay, you're gonna cut me. And if you find I'm doing this, you know what I mean? But they have to figure it out, though.

[C]

Bryant, what's the biggest remaining obstacle to getting rid of the stigma of mental health in the NFL? Is it the head coach himself, do you think, who still sees it as weakness?

[A]

I don't. So for the Vikings, I don't think he made his staff now a part of it. So I don't think he views it like that. I think he's very open to it. Certain teams probably different for different teams, you know, case by case. But the Vikings have been nothing but proactive. That's all I can say. Rest of the organizations, I'm not sure.

[B]

I maintain that what it is that you did for a living, by itself is a mental health obstacle course. You're fighting pain all the time, and you are fighting others for money. And your career is going to end short in most instances. And I just think that all of it, what you guys were doing daily, everyone looks at it and like, oh, that looks great. That looks fun. And Sundays are. Or whatever day you're playing is fun. But did you enjoy the rest of the week?

[A]

Not every. Not every day there's something. Because you. You can't miss anything. So you've missed. I've missed a bunch of funerals and things like that because there's no days off once you're there. It's like you're going to miss some things because you're in season and you're in work. So you have moments of people who've passed that I've missed going to their funerals and things like that because of work. And that can play with your mental a little bit, too. But for the most part, I enjoyed it. I mean, but you do have your moments where it can be draining a little bit. You Know, but yeah, I liked what I did.

[C]

CTE is. Is still an overriding issue in the NFL. We don't associate it a lot or maybe enough with the offensive line position. How did you get through your career in terms of that kind of situation?

[B]

Nobody was big enough to hit him in the head.

[C]

That's what I'm thinking. But I don't know.

[A]

Right. I mean, you had your moments probably where you. I've had a couple collisions like that, but not probably as much as like a wide receiver, running back. But I've definitely had your moments here and there. Just because you're constantly on the field. I don't come off the field except, you know, I mean, you know, receivers and everybody come off. I'm there the whole time. So in the quarterback. So you have your moments. But I was able to do stuff like I take NAD plus, like, you know, IVs. I do stuff like to try to reverse everything plus good stuff it is.

[B]

Was there any player who got multiple holding calls against you in your career? And any player that I held. Yes. Is there a player walking the earth today who can say, I made Bryant McKinney get a holding call twice?

[A]

I don't know if the same person gonna say twice, but maybe maybe once or something.

[D]

Who's the guy like, you played against that you're like, I might have to try to hold this guy. This guy's pretty good.

[A]

When I first started, his name is KGB Kabir Kabaja Biamillah from Green Bay, he was real slippery. So my first. In my first two years, two or three years in the league, he was somebody who was like, yeah, I gotta figure out something, knock him down, try to do something.

[B]

It wasn't. But it wasn't strength. It was slippery.

[A]

Yeah. Cause he was quick off the ball. He could get low. He could just do like a lot of things. So. Yeah. And he was kind of tall, too. So he had long arm.

[J]

As someone who, you know, like we mentioned, never gave up a sack while in college, not even in practice, was like the jump. Did you have a moment in the jump from college to pro where you notice what a huge difference it is for you?

[A]

It was more technique and the guys getting off the ball, the defense, he can read the quarterback, he can read just different things. Read your stance. So it's just more about just having experience and knowing what to read. Where in college a little bit you can kind of overpower people just with your size.

[B]

Give me somebody that the strength of the person. Because nobody's usually stronger than You. Did you run into anybody whose strength was consistently a problem?

[A]

Yeah, I'm gonna say two people. Justin Smith. He was not the same Justin Smith when he was winning the Bengals. But then when he got to the 49ers, it was a whole different Justin Smith, and he became very strong.

[C]

And then.

[A]

Hello, Di Nada.

[C]

What happened?

[A]

Hello. Dinada from the Ravens. I went against him as a Viking, and he's a pretty big, strong fighter.

[B]

Wait a minute. He's in the middle. What's he doing on the outside?

[A]

Sometimes he'll be a three technique and try to, like, run a game on me or something like that. And then even you know about that game, Dan. Sean Rogers from Detroit, he would be inside, but it was like, they like to face me sometime. They'll, like, line up against me. It's like, all right, all right, all right.

[D]

Now who's the opposite? The guy there. Like, I'm gonna pick this person up and throw him with my hand.

[J]

It was disrespectful that he was trying to beat me.

[N]

You?

[A]

I don't know.

[B]

Dwight Freey at Syracuse, that was like,

[A]

my rival, you know, I faced him all the way up until the super bowl season. That was the first round of the playoffs. And we kind of lined up against each other and kind of, like, chuckle before we put our hand down in the dirt, because it's like, here we go again.

[J]

How many times would you have a play, like, maybe the game is a blowout? How many times you have a play where you had that agreement with the guy in front of you? Like, yo, let's.

[A]

Let's just cool it for a couple in the. So, no. Cause me and Dwight Freeney had that one time in, like, the preseason. He felt like I was going super hard and all that, but I don't trust you. So it was like, you might try to get one now. So it's like, I'm going somewhere. But he's like, it's the preseason. Calm down.

[B]

I'm like, so you negotiated a deal?

[A]

But I still was like, yeah, I still wasn't sure. So I still was, like, just trying to be ready, just to be on point, just in case. Like, don't lull me to sleep.

[B]

I don't trust you. You made a deal. You made a bargain. On the line of scrimmage. Was there anybody who dared talk trash to Brian McKinney?

[A]

Nobody really said anything to me ever. Not really, no. People would talk to me about random stuff, like, oh, I seen you on south beach at the Wet Willys. And stuff like that. I'm like, what are you talking about? Like, I didn't really talk much. I'm like, why are you spot? But like, I would hear like Warren Sapp, we would cuss out Anthony Herrera, the Guardian style. Like I would hear some people get cussed out. They tell me to mind my business because I try to step in. No, nobody really said, maybe they're not

[D]

talking to you, but like a guy on defense where you're just like, that guy's crazy.

[A]

There's guys out there who talk, but nobody ever addressed me directly and said anything like smart.

[B]

What is your preferred drink at Wet Willies? Is it the 180 octane or is there something better than Superman?

[A]

I can't get away with that. It's a Superman. So it's a mixture of like 180 and something a blue. Blue Dream. But he is called Superman.

[E]

Blue Dream.

[B]

What was your spot of preference on South Beach? Was it indeed Wet Willys or was it somewhere else?

[A]

At one point it was Wet Willys was the place to go to. Then you had Nikki beach and you had Opium Gardens or Amnesty and all that. Remember that?

[E]

Like, I don't, but I've been only told stories. I'm younger than you guys, so I don't have the, the. I wasn't able to go out at that time. But I remember my older brother in law telling me about Nikki beach, about amnesia, about what was the other one. Treehouse or something like that.

[A]

Yeah, Mansion. You had a crowbar, Neville. Yeah, Crowbar.

[E]

Come on.

[H]

Who.

[B]

Who was the person that you had a bottle buying competition against during the super bowl week?

[A]

I think that was Braylon Edwards.

[B]

Yeah, I think I saw Lil Kim on your shirt.

[A]

Oh, yeah, she was, she was there.

[E]

What were you doing there, Dan?

[A]

Dan, you was there.

[B]

Lil Kim was on his shoulder.

[A]

Oh, that way. I was imagining you had a chicken fight.

[E]

You had a chicken fight style just

[B]

like a parrot, like on a pirate.

[J]

One side of his shoulder.

[B]

Let's play the Sound of Aaron Rodgers and I want to see if he's ever had a defensive end come at him that he thought was crazy.

[A]

Aaron Rodgers, Kyle Van Den Bosch story.

[N]

Kyle was a very good player for a number of years. He used to wear red contacts, which was he didn't need because he was already teetered on the edge of insanity. So I remember, you know, one time he got me and he was kind of, you know, he wasn't getting off me and he's like, I got you good. I'm like, he hit me in the head though. He goes, no way. I was like, no, I think it's gonna be a pill. And he goes, no. Also another play involving him. We ran a like a seven man protection. He looped from his end and our fullback kind of blasted him a little bit. He wasn't looking. So Kyle thought it was a cheap shot and instead of getting up and chasing the play down, he chased the fullback down and ended up running a route out to the right. It was like, I'll kill you.

[K]

I'm gonna kill you.

[A]

I can see that. And I already knew he was gonna say red Context. I've seen it before too. I didn't know if that was supposed to be like an intimidation factor or not, but he is one player who I didn't ever have trouble with, but I feel like he was a good player, but I didn't have an issue with him.

[B]

What are you saying Justin Smith did got stronger. BrianMcKinney.com he's got B Major foundation is hosting its fourth annual Cocktails and Conversation, a mental health awareness fundraiser. The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Bryant it's always nice to see you. I am happy that you are now going to be our enforcer and make these guys wear their costumes. Thank you sir.

[A]

Thank you.

[I]

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[F]

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