NFL might take further action against Bryant McKinnie

MIAMI GARDENS — The NFL on Sunday was reportedly looking into the possibility of further discipline against Minnesota Vikings offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie, who was dismissed from the Pro Bowl on Saturday for missed practices.

According to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said in an e-mail that McKinnie's actions would "be reviewed for a possible fine in addition to his loss of Pro Bowl check."

Aiello also said a suspension was not being contemplated, he did not rule it out as "we have not completed our review."

McKinnie's absence forced David Diehl of the Giants and Jason Peters of the Eagles to play the entire game, and Diehl wasn't happy about it.
"I can't speak for him, but I know a lot of guys are upset, and some of the guys on the Vikings are upset," Diehl said. "You're out here for the guys next to you.

"I think it's an honor to come here and be selected by your peers. This is a game with a lot of tradition and history. To be here and be part of this is a dream for me."

McKinnie, a graduate of Miami who spends his off-seasons in South Florida, wrote on his Twitter account early in the week that he planned to make the most of the social opportunities available. Thursday night he attended a swimwear fashion show featuring NFL cheerleaders.

McKinnie, 30, attended practice on Wednesday and Thursday but was a no-show Friday and Saturday. He was dropped from the NFC roster on Saturday.

"I don't know what it was about," Vikings running back Adrian Peterson said. "I don't know if he was hurt or what."

Peters also downplayed McKinnie's absence.

"It wasn't any big deal," he said. "Everybody's got their own situation, and I didn't know what the deal was with him. I guess they just kicked him off.

"In a way it was disappointing," he added. "He could've just let somebody else come."

McKinnie, a 6-foot-8, 343-pounder, was the Vikings' first-round pick in 2002 after winning the Outland Trophy, awarded to the nation's top college lineman, in the previous season.

He has had off-the-field problems before. In October 2005, he was charged with a misdemeanor for his involvement in the Vikings' "Love Boat" scandal, when numerous Minnesota players were accused of sexual improprieties during a cruise on Lake Minnetonka, Minn.

After pleading guilty, he paid a $1,000 fine and was ordered to perform 48 hours of community service. Later he was fined one game check by the NFL for the incident, amounting to $48,000.

One day after the fine, McKinnie signed a seven-year contract extension with the Vikings worth approximately $48 million.

After being booted off the NFC roster, McKinnie released a statement through his publicist claiming he withdrew from the game because of injury.

"I am extremely honored to have been selected for this year's Pro Bowl," the statement read. "However, my ongoing injuries in my feet and left ankle that I have encountered during the last portion of the season has hindered me during this week's training and preparing myself both mentally and physically for this Sunday's Pro Bowl.

"I am very knowledgeable and appreciative of all my loyal fans and supporters and would like to apologize if I may have disappointed you in anyway, but getting back 100 percent healthy is my number one concern to perform even better in the upcoming season."

"Whatever he said, I believe him," Peterson said.

This was the first time McKinnie had been named to the Pro Bowl in his eight-year career.

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(palmbeachpost.com)