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CJ grad enjoys giving back with BJ Kids 91 Foundation

Ravens lineman Brandon McKinney inspires, helps youth in Dayton area.

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By Greg Billing, Staff Writer 11:05 PM Friday, February 4, 2011

DAYTON — The boy from Miamisburg sat quietly in his wheelchair, looking more often at the floor in the Mills Family Lounge at Dayton Children’s hospital than at the 6-foot-2, 350-pound NFL player standing a few feet away.

Then Brandon McKinney, the massive defensive tackle for the Baltimore Ravens and 2001 Chaminade Julienne High School graduate, walked over to Austin, 8, and leaned in for a photo. Austin — quiet and reserved during a question-and-answer session with McKinney — beamed.

“It makes me happy to see that they’re happy,” said McKinney, who visited Children’s Medical Center of Dayton on Wednesday. “Half the kids don’t know who I am, they just know it’s a big, ol’ football player. It’s pretty cool. ... I always said if I had a chance to give back to the community I would.”

That’s what brought McKinney — and his BJ Kids 91 Foundation — to the hospital earlier this week. In addition to bringing signed T-shirts promoting his foundations and posters featuring about 30 Ravens who hold college degrees — including McKinney — the big-hearted defensive tackle also handed out some inspiration.

McKinney spent a few minutes chatting with Jason, a Centerville High School student and aspiring broadcaster.

“It was kind of heartwarming. Football player taking time out of his day to come down to Children’s Medical Center. That really did lift my spirits. He’s a good guy for doing that,” Jason said after the two talked football, ESPN — Jason’s dream job — and never giving up on goals. “He’s telling you he achieved his dream. As long as you work toward it you can achieve it.”

Then, with a smile, Jason added: “He might not want to know I’m a Pittsburgh Steelers fan.”

Making his mark

McKinney recently completed his fifth season in the NFL, moving from the San Diego Chargers to the Ravens early in the 2008 season. This past season he played in 11 games, starting four, and making 10 tackles.

This weekend McKinney will watch the Super Bowl with his family in Dayton. His pick to win?

“I’m rooting for the Packers, but I think the Steelers are going to win. And it hurts my heart to say it,” McKinney said.

McKinney has been on the verge of the Super Bowl twice, reaching the AFC championship in 2007 with the Chargers and 2008 with the Ravens.

In a 31-24 loss to the Steelers in the AFC playoffs on Jan. 15 — a game the Ravens led 21-7 at halftime — McKinney had a solo tackle and assist.

“I really came on strong toward the end of the season and the playoffs,” McKinney said. “I’m really looking forward to next year to see how much better I can get.”

As for losing to the dreaded division-rival Steelers and seeing them play in their third Super Bowl in six seasons?

“It sucks, but life must go on. We’ll get a chance to get ’em next year,” he said.

Foundation growing

McKinney started his BJ Kids 91 foundation — the 91 being his uniform number — while with the Chargers. The foundation has grown to include free sessions with barbers and stylists for the first day of school, school supplies, football camps and bike-a-thons.

During his Dayton visit, McKinney also had scheduled stops at Chaminade Julienne, Ponitz Career Technology Center, the Boys & Girls Club of Dayton and the DeSoto Bass Courts public housing complex, among others.

“It’s more to interact with the kids,” McKinney said. “I’m not the guy to stand up and give a speech on what’s going on, what to do, what not to do. I’d rather see what the kids want to know, interact with them.”

As he made his rounds at Children’s, McKinney found a Ravens fan in Corrial, an industrial engineering major at Wright State University.

“I actually like the Baltimore Ravens. I was shocked when they told me he was coming. I wasn’t expecting anything like that,” said Corrial, who queried McKinney with everything from his practice schedule to the pace of the game to what it’s like sitting in a tub full of ice.

“He’s always been a big kid at heart. He loves kids so this was easy for him,” said Tawana McKinney, Brandon’s stepmom, who also toured the hospital. “He was always a happy kid, always smiling.”

Just like how he made the kids feel at Children’s.

Contact this reporter at

(937) 225-2400, ext. 6991, or

gbilling@DaytonDailyNews.com.

Q & A with Brandon McKinney

Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Brandon McKinney, a 2001 graduate of Chaminade Julienne High School, made the rounds at Children’s Medical Center of Dayton on Wednesday. A sampling of the questions he fielded from patients, staff and media during his visit:

Q: Who is the toughest player you’ve gone up against?

A: Probably Kevin Mawae, he was a center for the Titans. That was like my second year and he’d been in the league for like 15 years. He was tough.

Q: What’s it like being in the locker room with Ray Lewis?

A: It’s cool. I get that question a lot. Ray is a good leader. A lot of guys look up to him and call him Uncle, or Unc for short. He’s a good, humble guy.

Q: What rooking hazing did you go through?

A: I had to sing for the whole team. There I am in front of all these big dudes singing Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get It On.”

Q: What team do you like playing against the most?

A: Steelers.

Q: Who is your favorite player?

A: Warren Sapp was my favorite player. I played against him but I never met him.

Q: Have you ever lined up against someone and thought, uh-oh?

A: We played Dallas a couple years ago and they had the biggest linemen in the NFL. I was like, “You gotta be kidding. These dudes are huge.”

Q: Have you ever asked a player for an autograph?

A: Ed Reed and Ray Lewis. ... A lot of players go up to guys and say, “I’ve got this jersey for my little cousin.” They do the autograph, and bam, it’s yours. Guys don’t mind signing, though.

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