Kris Jenkins is a former NFL defensive tackle celebrated for his ten-season career with the Carolina Panthers and the New York Jets. A standout player from an athletic family, he excelled in high school and college before being drafted in 2001. Throughout his career, he achieved four Pro Bowl selections and earned two All-Pro honors, tallying 24 sacks. His legacy is marked by resilience and on-field skill, suggesting theres much more to investigate about his life and career.
Early Life
Kris Jenkins developed a passion for football from a young age. He excelled at Belleville High School, where he earned honors as a defensive player, including all-league first-team and WCAC Co-Defensive Player of the Year during his senior year.
In his final season, Jenkins recorded impressive statistics with 40 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, and 15 sacks, demonstrating his talent on the field. Following his high school career, he further honed his skills by playing college football at the University of Maryland.
Football runs in the family, as his father also played in the NFL for ten years after being drafted in the second tier.
Family Life
Kris Jenkins comes from a notable athletic lineage, with his father, Kris Jenkins Sr., having a successful 10-year career in the NFL as a second-round draft pick. This strong family legacy greatly influenced his path as an athlete.
The supportive and close-knit dynamic within the Jenkins family, including his mother’s encouragement, played a crucial role in his development.
As a reflection of their influence, Jenkins excelled in high school football at Our Lady Good Counsel High School, where he earned honors such as WCAC Co-Defensive Player of the Year.
This solid foundation laid the groundwork for his impressive achievements in college football and paved the way for his professional career in the NFL.
Career
Kris Jenkins had an impressive 10-season career as a defensive tackle in the NFL, after being drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the 2001 NFL Draft.
Over his career, he played in 108 games and recorded a total of 24.0 sacks, demonstrating his defensive skill. Jenkins was a standout player, earning four Pro Bowl selections and two All-Pro honors.
His contributions were considerable during his time with both the Panthers, where he achieved 20.5 sacks, and the New York Jets, with an extra 3.5 sacks.
Despite facing numerous injuries that impacted his playing time, Jenkins left a lasting mark on the teams he played for before his release in 2011.
Net Worth
Kris Jenkins has an estimated net worth of approximately $18 million, primarily derived from his successful NFL career with the Carolina Panthers and New York Jets.
Throughout his 10-year career, Jenkins earned substantial salaries, including $1.3 million in 2001, $2 million in 2002, $3.5 million in 2003, $4 million in 2006, and $5 million in 2007.
His earnings included a noteworthy initial contract as a 2nd round draft pick, Pro Bowl bonuses, endorsements, and ventures in media post-retirement.