Kool-Aid McKinstry’s reason for switching to the No. 1 jersey will make New Orleans Saints fans love him even more
New Orleans Saints cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry has a very special reason for wearing the No. 1 jersey. McKinstry switched to his old college number this past spring following the departure of Alontae Taylor.
New Orleans Saints cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry has a very special reason for wearing the No. 1 jersey. McKinstry switched to his old college number this past spring following the departure of Alontae Taylor.
By doing so, he’s honoring a childhood friend who is no longer with us.
Kool-Aid McKinstry opens up about his jersey change
Now set to open Saints training camp wearing the jersey number he wore for three years at Alabama, McKinstry is honoring his childhood friend, Caleb Wilson, who passed away three years ago when he was playing basketball at Pinson High School in Pinson, Alabama.
McKinstry revealed to The 33rd Team’s Ari Meirov that Wilson is the reason he switched to No. 1.
“[Wilson] wore the No. 1 at Pinson [High School],” McKinstry said. “They was not giving No. 1 to no one, and he called me one day and he kind of just called me one day, he was like, ‘Man, you gonna let me wear that No. 1?’ I said, ‘Only you.’
“That’s another reason why I like to wear number one. You know, I really don’t get into the reasons why, because I’m a real family guy, real touchy person, but yeah, that’s why. That’s the reason.”
McKinstry continues honoring Caleb Wilson’s legacy
Wilson’s death was revealed to be from natural causes stemming from Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, a heart condition commonly abbreviated as HCM.
He died doing what he loved, and McKinstry isn’t going to forget him anytime soon.
“He’s definitely special in my heart man,” McKinstry said. “He was a great kid, he hooped every day, every day, seven days a week. He had college offers, he was like one of the top players in the state. I don’t know exactly what he was ranked, but I wouldn’t be wrong if I say he was ranked like top 10 in the state coming out.
“Just the person that he was, you know, it was just a tragedy just for him to pass.”
McKinstry is taking over as the Saints’ No. 1 corner this year with Taylor now a member of the Tennessee Titans. It’s only fitting he has the jersey to match his role.