Christian Kirksey

Christian Paul Kirksey (born August 31, 1992) is a former American football linebacker. He played college football at Iowa and was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the third round of the 2014 NFL Draft. He also played for the Green Bay Packers, Houston Texans, and Buffalo Bills.

Christian Kirksey
refer to caption
Kirksey with the Cleveland Browns in 2018
No. 58, 55
Position:Linebacker
Personal information
Born: (1992-08-31) August 31, 1992
St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:235 lb (107 kg)
Career information
High school:Hazelwood East
(St. Louis, Missouri)
College:Iowa
NFL Draft:2014 / Round: 3 / Pick: 71
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles:726
Sacks:14.5
Forced fumbles:4
Fumble recoveries:6
Pass deflections:30
Interceptions:6
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

High school career

Kirksey attended Hazelwood East High School in Hazelwood, Missouri, where he played on the football team and was coached by Mike Jones. He was first-team all-conference as a senior after earning honorable mention recognition as a junior. He recorded 163 tackles as a senior, with nine tackles for loss, three sacks, two interceptions, returning one for a touchdown. He helped his team win the state championship in his junior season and returned to playoffs the following year.

In addition to football, Kirksey participated in track & field at Hazelwood East, where he competed in relays and jumping events, helping his team win the state championship as a junior. He placed ninth in the triple jump at the 2009 MSHSAA State T&F Championships, with a leap of 44 ft 1 in.[1] At the 2010 Suburban North Conference Championship, he placed fourth in the long jump (20 ft 12 in) and took bronze in the triple jump (45 ft 6 in).[2]

Kirksey was considered a three-star recruit by the Rivals.com recruiting network.[3]

College career

Kirksey enrolled at the University of Iowa, where he was a member of the Iowa Hawkeyes football team from 2010 to 2013. As a true freshman in 2010, he played in 10 games, primarily on special teams, recording six total tackles. In 2011, he started all 13 games for the Hawkeyes, recording 62 tackles, five tackles for loss, one sack, one interception, three pass break-ups and two forced fumbles. As a junior in 2012, he was named a team captain. He started all 12 games, recording 95 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and two QB sacks. He also returned two interceptions for touchdowns (one 68 yards vs. Minnesota and one 18 yards against Indiana), had four recovered fumbles, two pass break-ups and one forced fumble. In 2013, as a senior and team captain, he started all 13 games at outside linebacker, finishing third on team with 104 tackles. He also had five tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks, two recovered fumbles and two forced fumbles, one interception and one pass break-up. He earned honorable mention All-Big Ten following the season.

Professional career

On December 30, 2013, it was announced that Kirksey had accepted his invitation to appear in the 2014 Senior Bowl.[4] Throughout the week, leading up to the game, Kirksey impressed scouts and team representatives during practice by displaying his athleticism, explosiveness, and ability to finish plays.[5] On January 25, 2014, he participated at the Senior Bowl and recorded six combined tackles with 1.5 tackles for a loss during the North's 20–10 loss to the South. He had an impressive performance playing for former Atlanta Falcons' head coach Mike Smith's North team.[6] He was one of 35 collegiate linebackers to receive an invitation to attend the NFL combine in Indianapolis, Indiana.[7] Kirksey attended the NFL combine, but opted to forgo the majority of combine drills and only perform the vertical jump, broad jump, and bench press. His 16 reps tied for 23rd out of the 25 linebackers who participated and he finished 21st out of 30 linebackers in the vertical. Kirksey's best performance at the combine was in the broad jump where he tied for fifth out of 30 players in his position.[8] On March 24, 2014, Kirksey participated at Iowa's pro day, along with C. J. Fiedorowicz, Anthony Hitchens, James Morris, and nine other prospects. Representatives and scouts from 28 NFL teams attended as he performed all of the combine and positional drills and was able to increase his vertical by four inches (36"). Kirksey's unofficial time in the 40-yard dash would've garnered him third among his position group at the combine.[9] At the conclusion of the pre-draft process, Kirksey was projected to be a fourth or fifth round pick by the majority of NFL draft experts and scouts. He was ranked as the 13th best outside linebacker prospect in the draft by NFLDraftScout.com.[10]

External video
video icon Kirksey's NFL Combine workout
Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span40-yard dash10-yard split20-yard split20-yard shuttleThree-cone drillVertical jumpBroad jumpBench press
6 ft 1+3⁄4 in
(1.87 m)		 233 lb
(106 kg)		 32+3⁄8 in
(0.82 m)		 9+3⁄8 in
(0.24 m)		4.58 s1.59 s2.64 s4.42 s7.11 s32 in
(0.81 m)		10 ft 2 in
(3.10 m)		16 reps
All values from NFL Combine/Iowa's Pro Day[11]

2014

The Cleveland Browns selected Kirksey in the third round (71st overall) of the 2014 NFL Draft.[12] He was the ninth linebacker selected in 2014.[13]

On June 5, 2014, the Cleveland Browns signed Kirksey to a four-year, $3.04 million contract that includes a signing bonus of $662,500.[14]

Throughout training camp, Kirksey competed against Craig Robertson for the job as the starting right inside linebacker.[15] Head coach Mike Pettine named him the backup right inside linebacker to Craig Robertson to begin the regular season.[16]

He made his professional regular season debut in the Cleveland Browns' season-opener at the Pittsburgh Steelers and recorded one solo tackle and made his first career sack on Ben Roethlisberger during their 30–27 loss. The following week, he earned the first start of his career against the New Orleans Saints, after starting right outside linebacker Barkevious Mingo was unable to play due to a shoulder injury.[17] He went on to finish the game with four combined tackles as the Browns won 26–24. On October 19, 2014, Kirksey recorded a season-high nine combined tackles as the Browns lost 24–6 at the Jacksonville Jaguars. Kirksey started over Craig Robertson during a Week 11 matchup against the Houston Texans and tied his season-high of nine combined tackles in Cleveland's 23–7 loss.[18] He started from Weeks 12–15 after Karlos Dansby suffered a knee injury during the loss to Houston. He finished his rookie season with 81 combined tackles (47 solo), two sacks, two pass deflections, and a forced fumble in eight starts, 16 games, and 343 defensive snaps.[19]

2015

Kirksey continued to compete for the starting inside linebacker role against Robertson throughout training camp.[20] He started the regular season as the backup inside linebacker behind Craig Robertson.

On October 4, 2015, Kirksey earned his first start of the season after Craig Robertson suffered an ankle injury. He went on to collect five combined tackles and sacked San Diego Chargers' quarterback Philip Rivers, in Cleveland's 30–27 loss at San Diego. He started the next four games at inside linebacker (Weeks 4–7) in place of Robertson.[21] In Week 6, he recorded a season-high nine combined tackles as the Browns lost 26–23 to the Denver Broncos. On November 15, 2015, Kirksey collected a combined four tackles and sacked Steelers' quarterback Ben Roethlisberger during a 30–9 loss at the Pittsburgh Steelers.[22] He finished the 2015 season with 63 combined tackles (40 solo), 3.5 sacks, and a pass deflection in 16 games and five starts.[23]

2016

Kirksey was slated to be the starting inside linebacker after Craig Robertson departed during free agency to the New Orleans Saints.[24] New head coach Hue Jackson named Kirksey the starting right inside linebacker, alongside Demario Davis, to start the 2016 season.

He started the Cleveland Browns' season-opener at the Philadelphia Eagles and recorded six combined tackles and sacked Carson Wentz during 29–10 loss. On October 9, 2016, Kirksey collected a season-high 16 combined tackles in the Browns' 33–13 loss to the New England Patriots. During a Week 10 contest at the Baltimore Ravens, he made 13 combined tackles and deflected a pass as the Ravens routed the Browns 28–7. In Week 17, Kirksey recorded 12 combined tackles and sacked Ben Roethlisberger, for his third time in his career, during a 27–24 loss at the Pittsburgh Steelers. Kirksey had an impressive season in 2016 and led the Browns with 148 combined tackles (96 solo), 2.5 sacks, and three pass deflections in 16 games and 16 starts.[25]

2017

On May 30, 2017, the Cleveland Browns signed Kirksey to a four-year, $38 million contract extension that includes $20 million guaranteed and a signing bonus of $6 million.[14][26]

Former Cleveland Browns' defensive coordinator Ray Horton was fired after the 2016 season and replaced by Gregg Williams who switched the base defense from a 3-4 defense to a 4-3 defense. Kirksey was moved from starting inside linebacker to starting weakside linebacker.[27]

During a Week 2 matchup at the Baltimore Ravens, Kirksey made nine combined tackles and sacked Joe Flacco as the Browns lost 24–10. On October 22, 2017, he recorded a career-high 17 combined tackles during a 12–9 loss to the Tennessee Titans. On November 19, 2017, Kirksey collected 14 combined tackles and sacked Jacksonville Jaguars' quarterback Blake Bortles in a 19–7 loss.[28] He finished the season with 136 combined tackles (86 solo), five pass deflections, and 3.5 sacks in 16 games and 16 starts. His 138 tackles finished second in the team, behind Joe Schobert's 144.[19] Pro Football Focus gave Kirksey an overall grade of 59.6, ranking 52nd among all qualified linebackers in 2017.[29]

2018

On October 7, 2018, Kirksey recorded a season-high 12 tackles against the Baltimore Ravens.[30] On October 14, Kirksey intercepted Los Angeles Chargers' Philip Rivers, his first-career interception.[31] The very next week he would pick off Tampa Bay Buccaneers' quarterback Jameis Winston and recover a Cameron Brate fumble on October 21, 2018, marking his second-career interception and third-career fumble recovery.[32] On November 7, he was placed on injured reserve with a hamstring injury.[33]

2019

On September 21, 2019, Kirksey was placed on injured reserve with a chest injury.[34]

On March 10, 2020, Kirksey was released by the Browns after six seasons.[35]

Green Bay Packers

On March 17, 2020, Kirksey signed a two-year, $16 million contract with the Green Bay Packers.[36]

Kirksey made his debut with the Packers in Week 1 against the Minnesota Vikings. During the game, Kirksey led the team with 12 tackles (6 solo) in the 43–34 win. This victory was Kirksey's first Week 1 win in his career.[37] In Week 2 against the Detroit Lions, Kirksey recorded another 12 tackles during the 42–21 win.[38] He was placed on injured reserve on October 3, 2020, with a pectoral injury.[39] He was activated on November 14, 2020.[40] In Week 11 against the Indianapolis Colts, Kirksey led the team with 11 tackles and recorded his first interception as a Packer off a pass thrown by Philip Rivers during the 34–31 overtime loss.[41] In Week 16 against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday Night Football, Kirksey sacked and intercepted Ryan Tannehill once each, also recording a solo tackle for loss and a pass deflection during the 40–14 win.[42]

On February 19, 2021, Kirksey was released by the Packers.[43]

Houston Texans

Kirksey signed with the Houston Texans on March 24, 2021.[44] He was named the Texans starting middle linebacker in 2021. He started the first eight games before being placed on injured reserve on November 6, 2021.[45] He was activated on December 4.[46]

On March 11, 2022, Kirksey signed a two-year contract extension with the Texans.[47] On August 28, 2023, Kirksey was released.[48]

Buffalo Bills

On August 30, 2023, Kirksey was signed to the practice squad of the Buffalo Bills.[49] On September 21, 2023, he announced his retirement from the NFL.

NFL career statistics

Regular season
Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
GPGSCmbSoloAstSckPDIntYdsAvgLngTDFFFR
2014CLE 1687844342.02000.00010
2015CLE 1656340233.51000.00011
2016CLE 161614593522.53000.00000
2017CLE 161613381523.55000.00021
2018CLE 773925140.052178.513001
2019CLE 2211650.00000.00000
2020GB 11117342312.042189.010000
2021 HOU 13129355380.08111.01002
2022HOU 171712482423.052189.018001
Total1149477848129116.5337547.718046
Source: NFL.com

Postseason
Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
GPGSCmbSoloAstSckPDIntYdsAvgLngTDFFFR
2020GB 216420.00000.00000
Total216420.00000.00000
Source: football-reference.com

Kirksey is featured in Madden NFL 15; however, when used in the gamemode "Madden Ultimate Team" and he is on the Tennessee Titans; due to a glitch, his in-game avatar appears as 1 ft 2 in in height, which makes him the first "Foottall" player in Madden history.[50] Kirksey later appeared in a trailer EA Sports created for the game that features the glitch.[51]

References
  1. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on November 9, 2014. Retrieved November 8, 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  2. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on November 9, 2014. Retrieved November 8, 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  3. Christian Kirksey – Yahoo Sports
  4. "Players who have accepted invites for 2014 Senior Bowl". National Football League. December 30, 2013. Retrieved December 11, 2017.
  5. Mike Wobschall (January 21, 2014). "North Team Gets Physical in Day 2 Senior Bowl Practice". vikings.com. Archived from the original on December 12, 2017. Retrieved December 11, 2017.
  6. Andrew Kulha (January 26, 2014). "Christian Kirksey impressed at Senior Bowl". Iowa.247sports.com. Retrieved December 11, 2017.
  7. "Draft prospects invited to 2014 NFL Scouting Combine". National Football League. February 12, 2014. Retrieved December 11, 2017.
  8. Kevin Nogle (February 28, 2014). "NFL Combine 2014: Results – Linebackers". thephinsider.com. Retrieved December 11, 2017.
  9. "Hawkeye tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz draws attention at NFL pro day". desmoinesregister.com. March 25, 2014. Retrieved December 11, 2017.
  10. "Christian Kirksey, DS #13 OLB, Iowa". nfldraftscout.com. Retrieved December 11, 2017.
  11. "NFL Draft Profile: Christian Kirksey". National Football League. Retrieved December 11, 2017.
  12. Cleveland Browns Pick ILB Christian Kirksey at No. 71 Overall
  13. "2014 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
  14. "Spotrac.com: Christian Kirksey contract". spotrac.com. Retrieved December 11, 2017.
  15. Jared Mueller. "Rookie Expectations: Christian Kirksey". dawgpounddaily.com. Retrieved December 11, 2017.
  16. "Ourlads.com: Cleveland Browns' depth chart: 10/01/2014". ourlads.com. Retrieved December 11, 2017.
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  19. "NFL Player stats: Christian Kirksey (career)". National Football League. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
  20. Jared Mueller (July 16, 2014). "Starting ILB: Robertson or Kirksey?". Scout.com. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
  21. Fred Greetham (October 9, 2015). "Gipson, Robertson Out for Sunday". Scout.com. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
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  23. "NFL Player stats: Christian Kirksey (2015)". National Football League. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
  24. Johnathan Goehring (August 23, 2016). "Cleveland Browns: Will Tank Carder make the team?". dawgpounddaily.com. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
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  26. Sessler, Marc (May 30, 2017). "Browns sign Christian Kirksey to four-year extension". National Football League.
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  28. "NFL Player stats: Christian Kirksey (2017)". National Football League. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
  29. "Pro Football Focus: Christian Kirksey". profootballfocus.com. Retrieved April 13, 2018.
  30. Maks, Patrick (October 7, 2018). "By the Numbers: Baker Mayfield clears the 300-mark in Browns win". Clevelandbrowns.com.
  31. "Browns' Christian Kirksey: Grabs first interception Sunday". CBSSports.com. October 14, 2018.
  32. Risdon, Jeff (October 21, 2018). "Christian Kirksey, Jarvis Landry earn Browns player of the game vs. Buccaneers". Browns Wire.
  33. McManamon, Pat (November 7, 2018). "Browns LB Kirksey, CB Gaines placed on IR". ESPN.
  34. "Browns place LB Christian Kirksey on injured reserve, elevate LB Willie Harvey to active roster". ClevelandBrowns.com. September 21, 2019.
  35. "Browns release veteran LB Christian Kirksey". ClevelandBrowns.com. March 10, 2020.
  36. "Packers sign LB Christian Kirksey and T Rick Wagner". Packers.com. March 17, 2020.
  37. "Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings – September 13th, 2020". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
  38. "Jones' big day helps Packers beat Lions 42–21 in home opener". ESPN. Associated Press. September 20, 2020. Retrieved September 20, 2020.
  39. "Packers place LB Christian Kirksey and WR Allen Lazard on injured reserve". Packers.com. October 3, 2020.
  40. "Packers activate LB Christian Kirksey from injured reserve". Packers.com. November 14, 2020.
  41. "Green Bay Packers at Indianapolis Colts – November 22nd, 2020". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 28, 2020.
  42. "Tennessee Titans at Green Bay Packers – December 27th, 2020". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  43. "Packers release Christian Kirksey, Rick Wagner". Packers.com. February 19, 2021. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
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  45. "Houston Texans Transactions (11-6-2021)". HoustonTexans.com. November 6, 2021.
  46. "Houston Texans Transactions (12-4-2021)". HoustonTexans.com. December 4, 2021.
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  49. Dimmitt, Zach. "Bills Sign Texans Ex Christian Kirksey to Practice Squad". Bills Central FN. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  50. Foss, Mike (September 1, 2014). "The Titans have an adorably tiny player in Madden '15". For The Win. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
  51. EA Trailer
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