Malcolm Jenkins is a former American football safety who played in the National Football League (NFL) for over a decade. He was born on December 20, 1987, in East Orange, New Jersey, and attended Piscataway High School, where he played football and was a track and field athlete.
Jenkins played college football at Ohio State University, where he was a standout player. He was a two-time All-American and won the Jim Thorpe Award in 2008, which is given to the best defensive back in college football. Jenkins was also a team captain and helped lead Ohio State to a Big Ten championship and a trip to the national championship game in 2007.
Jenkins was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft. He quickly became a starter for the Saints and was a key player on their defense for five seasons. Jenkins helped the Saints win Super Bowl XLIV in 2010, where he had a crucial interception in the fourth quarter.
After his time with the Saints, Jenkins signed with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2014. He played for the Eagles for six seasons and was a team captain for four of those seasons. Jenkins was a versatile player for the Eagles, playing both safety and cornerback. He was also a leader on and off the field, known for his work in the community and his activism for social justice causes.
In 2020, Jenkins signed with the New Orleans Saints for a second stint with the team. He played one season with the Saints before announcing his retirement from the NFL in March 2021.
Throughout his career, Jenkins was known for his versatility, leadership, and intelligence on the field. He was a three-time Pro Bowler and was named to the All-Pro team once. Jenkins finished his career with 1,205 tackles, 22 interceptions, and 16 forced fumbles.
Off the field, Jenkins was also known for his work in the community and his activism for social justice causes. He founded the Malcolm Jenkins Foundation in 2010, which focuses on youth development and education initiatives in underserved communities. Jenkins was also a vocal advocate for criminal justice reform and was a leader in the NFL's social justice initiatives.
Overall, Malcolm Jenkins had a successful career in the NFL, both on and off the field. He was a versatile player and a leader for his teams, and his work in the community and for social justice causes will continue to have a lasting impact.
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