Bryant McKinnie Kicked Off Pro Bowl Team, Will Probably Keep Partying

Update: McKinnie tweets: “Had 2 withdraw from Pro Bowl! I’ve been playing thru pain the last month and need time 2 let my body heal.” (Willis McGahee disagrees with that assessment, and basically speaks for me.)

According to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune’s Mark Craig, Viking Bryant McKinnie has been dismissed from the NFC Pro Bowl squad. Why? Well, it’s ostensibly because he’s been missing practices.

But why has he been missing practices? Let’s go to Twitter.

McKinnie went to the University of Miami. He knows the city’s nightlife. And, boy, does he know the nightlife well. His account is basically a diary of bacchanalia, with a half-dozen clubs shouted out, a late night or two, and, you know, the occasional mention of that football game he was going to be paid to play in this Sunday.

McKinnie’s got every right to party, certainly. His revelry seems to have cost him valuable (?) practice time, though, and while the Pro Bowl is a glorified exhibition, it’s likely the NFL took a look at what McKinnie has done all week and decided he deserved a little punishment for not respecting his responsibilities. It’s also anyone’s guess why McKinnie would try to play in the Pro Bowl, a week removed from the NFC Championship Game, instead of declining the invitation and enjoying the Miami nightlife.

At least McKinnie’s nights on the town might lead to some relief for others. I agree with Mike Florio on this one: Donate McKinnie’s Pro Bowl share to charity.

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