CLEVELAND, Ohio — Browns new defensive end Takk McKinley showed up for introductory Zoom conference Friday nattily dressed in a black suit and pink tie, part of his image makeover.
“This is league is not promised,’’ he said. “It’s a privilege. If I want to be in this league, I have to start acting like it.’’
McKinley, who passed his physical and signed his one-year contract worth $4.25 million on Friday, admitted that he lost his way in Atlanta and needs to get his career back on track.
He believes he can do it in a place where Browns GM Andrew Berry not only put in three waiver claims on him last season, but also tried to trade for him when he was with the Falcons, who cut him in Nov. 11 after he publicly criticized the team on social media for not trading him.
The fifth time was actually the charm.
McKinley knows he’s wanted, and he’s determined to live up to his first-round status, the No. 26 pick in 2017.
Here are few things he said today:
* “It was a real easy decision for me. They had tried to pick me up three times after I was released. After they offered, talked to my agent, ‘let’s get it done…let’s go.’”
* “Everything happens for a reason in life. You always have your highs and always have your lows. The biggest thing for me is to learn from my mistakes. As far as opportunity goes, sometimes a fresh start is the best thing for everyone.”
* “For me, there aren’t any more excuses … just get the job done and leave it at that.”
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