Vikings’ McKinnie Named as Newest Ambassador to Nelson Mandela’s Laureus Sport for Good Foundation

Miami, FL, June 12, 2008 --(PR.com)-- The Laureus Sport for Good Foundation has welcomed Bryant McKinnie of the Minnesota Vikings as the newest ambassador to the foundation. The foundation was inspired and established by Dr. Nelson Mandela over a decade ago with the help of some of the world's most famous athletes, among them Dan Marino, John McEnroe, Martina Navratilova, Nadia Comaneci, & Gale Sayers.

During the weekend of May 17th in Miami, McKinnie hosted the Laureus Foundation’s Third Annual Celebrity Fundraiser along with NFL Hall of Famer Marcus Allen and Olympic Track and Field Gold Medalist Edwin Moses. More than thirty greats of golf, tennis, football, hockey, and the Olympics joined McKinnie for the fundraiser which, along with the foundation’s golf and tennis invitational, raised more than $150,000 to support the formation of CampInteractive’s South Florida chapter benefitting at-risk teens.

“The event was really inspiring. I am truly honored to join this amazing group of people as we work to make a difference in the lives of children,” said McKinnie.

"Bryant's effort to come all the way from Minnesota to join us is indicative of his commitment to using his stature and natural talents towards positive social ends,” said Moses, who serves as Chairman of the Laureus World Sports Academy. “We warmly welcome Bryant to the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation family of athletes. We look forward to working with him and the Minnesota Vikings in the future."

McKinnie, the Vikings’ starting left tackle, was a key component of the NFL’s #1 ranked rushing offense in 2007 and helped pave the way for running back Adrian Peterson’s Offensive Rookie of the Year season last year as well. In 2001, McKinnie was part of the University of Miami’s National Championship team. Known as “The Impenetrable One,” the 6’8” 335 lb lineman did not allow a sack during his entire college career and was honored as the best interior lineman in college football with the Outland Trophy in 2001.

About the foundation:
The Laureus Sport for Good Foundation is part of a global movement to help needy children through the positive power of sport, and its mission is to promote and mentor good citizenship among the world's youth. As Dr. Mandela so eloquently stated at the inception of this foundation: “A society can be judged by how it treats its children.” The foundation supports 47 Sport for Good projects worldwide including four in the USA. For information, please see Laureus.com.

###