Brian Kinchen is a former American football player who played as a tight end and long snapper in the National Football League (NFL). He played for several teams during his career, including the Miami Dolphins, Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Panthers, and New England Patriots.
Kinchen began his football career at Louisiana State University (LSU), where he played as a tight end and was named to the All-SEC team in 1983. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the 12th round of the 1988 NFL Draft and played for the team for four seasons. During his time with the Dolphins, Kinchen was primarily used as a backup tight end and special teams player.
In 1992, Kinchen signed with the Cleveland Browns and played for the team for two seasons. He was primarily used as a long snapper during his time with the Browns, a role he would continue to play for the rest of his career. Kinchen then played for the Baltimore Ravens for one season before being released in 1997.
After a brief stint with the Carolina Panthers, Kinchen signed with the New England Patriots in 1999. He played a key role in the team's run to Super Bowl XXXVI, where they defeated the St. Louis Rams to win the championship. Kinchen famously caught the game-winning touchdown pass in the Patriots' victory over the Oakland Raiders in the divisional round of the playoffs, despite having not caught a pass in a game since high school.
Kinchen retired from the NFL after the 2000 season and began a career as a motivational speaker and author. He wrote a book about his experiences in the NFL, titled "Success Begins at Home: The Story of Brian Kinchen's Return to the NFL and the Men Who Made It Happen." Kinchen also worked as a football analyst for ESPN and as a coach at various high schools in Louisiana.
Overall, Kinchen had a successful career in the NFL, playing for several teams and winning a Super Bowl with the New England Patriots. He is perhaps best known for his game-winning touchdown catch in the 2001 playoffs, which helped cement his place in NFL history.
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