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'{{short description|American football player}} {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}} {{Infobox NFL player | name = Christian Kirksey | image = Christian Kirksey (cropped).jpg | image_size = | alt = | caption = Kirksey in July 2018 | current_team = Free agent | number = | position = [[Linebacker]] | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1992|8|31}} | birth_place = [[St. Louis, Missouri]] | death_date = | death_place = | height_ft = 8 | height_in = 2 | weight_lbs = 235 | high_school = [[Hazelwood East High School|Hazelwood East]]<br/>([[St. Louis]], [[Missouri]]) | college = [[Iowa Hawkeyes football|Iowa]] | draftyear = 2014 | draftround = 3 | draftpick = 71 | pastteams = * [[Cleveland Browns]] ({{NFL Year|2014}}–{{NFL Year|2019}}) | status = | highlights = | statseason = 2019 | statweek = | statlabel1 = [[Tackle (gridiron football position)|Total tackles]] | statvalue1 = 484 | statlabel2 = [[Quarterback sack|Sacks]] | statvalue2 = 11.5 | statlabel3 = [[Fumble|Forced fumbles]] | statvalue3 = 4 | statlabel4 = [[Fumble|Fumble recoveries]] | statvalue4 = 3 | statlabel5 = [[Interceptions]] | statvalue5 = 2 | statlabel6 = [[Pass deflected|Pass deflections]] | statvalue6 = 16 | nflnew = christiankirksey/2543720 }} '''Christian Kirksey''' (born August 31, 1992) is an [[American football]] [[linebacker]] who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the [[Cleveland Browns]] in the third round of the [[2014 NFL Draft]]. He played [[college football]] at [[Iowa Hawkeyes football|Iowa]]. ==High school== Kirksey attended [[Hazelwood East High School]] in [[Hazelwood, Missouri]], where he played on the [[high school football|football]] team and was coached by [[Mike Jones (linebacker)|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&nbsp;ft 1 in.<ref>http://mo.milesplit.com/athletes/232636-christian-kirksey/feed#.VF6qhslAlx0</ref> At the 2010 Suburban North Conference Championship, he placed fourth in the [[long jump]] (20&nbsp;ft 12 in) and took bronze in the [[triple jump]] (45&nbsp;ft 6 in).<ref>http://mo.milesplit.com/meets/71741/results/121876</ref> Kirksey was considered a three-star recruit by the ''[[Rivals.com]]'' recruiting network.<ref>[https://sports.yahoo.com/footballrecruiting/football/recruiting/player-Christian-Kirksey-100352 Christian Kirksey – Yahoo Sports]</ref> ==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 Golden Gophers football|Minnesota]] and one 18 yards against [[Indiana Hoosiers football|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 Conference|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]].<ref>{{cite web| title=Players who have accepted invites for 2014 Senior Bowl| url=https://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000291817/article/players-who-have-accepted-invites-for-2014-senior-bowl| accessdate=December 11, 2017| website=NFL.com| date=December 30, 2013}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web| title=North Team Gets Physical In Day 2 Senior Bowl Practice| url=http://www.vikings.com/news/article-1/North-Team-Gets-Physical-In-Day-2-Senior-Bowl-Practice/e89fd373-0d05-4c0e-bf7a-f3cf30cd3614| accessdate=December 11, 2017| website=vikings.com| author=Mike Wobschall| date=January 21, 2014}}</ref> 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 [[2014 Atlanta Falcons season|Atlanta Falcons']] head coach [[Mike Smith (American football coach)|Mike Smith's]] North team.<ref>{{cite web| title=Christian Kirksey impressed at Senior Bowl| url=https://iowa.247sports.com/Article/Christian-Kirksey-impressed-at-Senior-Bowl-173573| accessdate=December 11, 2017| website=Iowa.247sports.com| author=Andrew Kulha| date=January 26, 2014}}</ref> He was one of 35 collegiate linebackers to receive an invitation to attend the NFL combine in [[Indianapolis, Indiana]].<ref>{{cite web| title=Draft prospects invited to 2014 NFL Scouting Combine| url=https://www.nfl.com/combine/story/0ap2000000323950/article/draft-prospects-invited-to-2014-nfl-scouting-combine| accessdate=December 11, 2017| website=NFL.com| date=February 12, 2014}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web| title=NFL Combine 2014: Results - Linebackers| url=https://www.thephinsider.com/platform/amp/2014/2/28/5455896/nfl-combine-2014-results-linebackers| accessdate=December 11, 2017| website=thephinsider.com| author=Kevin Nogle| date=February 28, 2014}}</ref> On March 24, 2014, Kirksey participated at Iowa's pro day, along with [[C. J. Fiedorowicz]], [[Anthony Hitchens]], [[James Morris (American football)|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.<ref>{{cite web| title=Hawkeye tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz draws attention at NFL pro day| url=https://www.desmoinesregister.com/amp/6866619| accessdate=December 11, 2017| website=desmoinesregister.com| date=March 25, 2014}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web| title=Christian Kirksey, DS #13 OLB, Iowa| url=http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=109462&draftyear=2014&genpos=OLB| accessdate=December 11, 2017| website=nfldraftscout.com}}</ref> {{external media | video1 = [http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-combine/0ap2000000333801/2014-Combine-workout-Christian-Kirksey Kirksey's NFL Combine workout] }} {{NFL predraft | height ft = 6 | height in = 1¾ | weight = 233 | dash = 4.58 | ten split = 1.59 | twenty split = 2.64 | shuttle = 4.42 | cone drill = 7.11 | vertical = 32 | broad ft = 10 | broad in = 2 | bench = 16 | wonderlic = | arm span = 32⅜ | hand span = 9⅜ | note = All values from [[NFL Combine]]/[[2013 Iowa Hawkeyes football|Iowa's Pro Day]]<ref>{{cite web| title=NFL Draft Profile: Christian Kirksey| url=http://www.nfl.com/draft/2014/profiles/christian-kirksey?id=2543720| accessdate=December 11, 2017| website=NFL.com}}</ref> }} ===Cleveland Browns=== ====2014==== The [[Cleveland Browns]] selected Kirksey in the third round (71st overall) of the [[2014 NFL Draft]].<ref>[http://www.dawgsbynature.com/2014/5/9/5701696/2014-nfl-draft-cleveland-browns-pick-ilb-christian-kirksey-at-no-71 Cleveland Browns Pick ILB Christian Kirksey at No. 71 Overall]</ref> He was the ninth linebacker selected in 2014. On June 5, 2014, the Cleveland Browns signed Kirksey to a four-year, [[U. S. Dollar|$]]3.04 million contract that includes a signing bonus of $662,500.<ref name="spotrac">{{cite web| title=Spotrac.com: Christian Kirksey contract| url=http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/cleveland-browns/christian-kirksey-14481/| accessdate=December 11, 2017| website=spotrac.com}}</ref> Throughout training camp, Kirksey competed against [[Craig Robertson (American football)|Craig Robertson]] for the job as the starting right inside linebacker.<ref>{{cite web| title=Rookie Expectations: Christian Kirksey| url=http://www.dawgpounddaily.com/2014/06/13/rookie-expectations-christian-kirksey/amp/| accessdate=December 11, 2017| website=dawgpounddaily.com| author=Jared Mueller}}</ref> Head coach [[Mike Pettine]] named him the backup right inside linebacker to Craig Robertson to begin the regular season.<ref>{{cite web| title=Ourlads.com: Cleveland Browns' depth chart: 10/01/2014| url=http://www.ourlads.com/nfldepthcharts/archive/164/CLE| accessdate=December 11, 2017| website=ourlads.com}}</ref> He made his professional regular season debut in the [[2014 Cleveland Browns season|Cleveland Browns']] season-opener at the [[2014 Pittsburgh Steelers season|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 [[2014 New Orleans Saints season|New Orleans Saints]], after starting right outside linebacker [[Barkevious Mingo]] was unable to play due to a shoulder injury.<ref>{{cite web| title= Saints vs. Browns: Jordan Cameron headlines inactives|url=https://www.thescore.com/news/578013/amp| accessdate=December 11, 2017| website=thescore.com| author=Caitlym Holroyd| date=September 14, 2014}}</ref> 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 [[2014 Jacksonville Jaguars season|Jacksonville Jaguars]]. Kirksey started over Craig Robertson during a Week 11 matchup against the [[2014 Houston Texans season|Houston Texans]] and tied his season-high of nine combined tackles in Cleveland's 23–7 loss.<ref>{{cite web| title=NFL Player stats: Christian Kirksey (2014)| url=http://www.nfl.com/player/christiankirksey/2543720/gamelogs?season=2014| accessdate=December 11, 2017| website=nfl.com}}</ref> 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.<ref name="career">{{cite web| title=NFL Player stats: Christian Kirksey (career)| url=http://www.nfl.com/player/christiankirksey/2543720/careerstats| accessdate=December 12, 2017| website=NFL.com}}</ref> ====2015==== Kirksey continued to compete for the starting inside linebacker role against Robertson throughout training camp.<ref>{{cite web| title=Starting ILB: Robertson or Kirksey?|url=https://scout.com/nfl/browns/Article/Starting-ILB-Robertson-or-Kirksey-105227765| accessdate=December 12, 2017| website=Scout.com| author=Jared Mueller| date=July 16, 2014}}</ref> 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 [[2015 San Diego Chargers season|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.<ref>{{cite web| title=Gipson, Robertson Out for Sunday| url=https://scout.com/nfl/browns/Article/Tashaun-Gipson-and-Craig-Robertson-Ruled-Ruled-Out-for-Sundays-Game-with-Ravens-75042185| accessdate=December 12, 2017| website=Scout.com| author=Fred Greetham| date=October 9, 2015}}</ref> In Week 6, he recorded a season-high nine combined tackles as the Browns lost 26–23 to the [[2015 Denver Broncos season|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 [[2015 Pittsburgh Steelers season|Pittsburgh Steelers]].<ref>{{cite web| title=NFL Game Center: Week 10-2015: Cleveland Browns @ Pittsburgh Steelers| url=http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2015111507/2015/REG10/browns@steelers| accessdate=December 12, 2017| website=NFL.com}}</ref> He finished the {{NFL Year|2015}} season with 63 combined tackles (40 solo), 3.5 sacks, and a pass deflection in 16 games and five starts.<ref>{{cite web| title=NFL Player stats: Christian Kirksey (2015)| url=http://www.nfl.com/player/christiankirksey/2543720/gamelogs?season=2015| accessdate=December 12, 2017| website=NFL.com}}</ref> ====2016==== Kirksey was slated to be the starting inside linebacker after Craig Robertson departed during [[free agency (sports)|free agency]] to the [[2016 New Orleans Saints season|New Orleans Saints]].<ref>{{cite web| title=Cleveland Browns: Will Tank Carder make the team?| url=https://www.dawgpounddaily.com/2016/08/23/cleveland-browns-will-tank-carder-make-the-team/amp/| accessdate=December 12, 2017| website=dawgpounddaily.com| author=Johnathan Goehring| date=August 23, 2016}}</ref> New head coach [[Hue Jackson]] named Kirksey the starting right inside linebacker, alongside [[Demario Davis]], to start the {{NFL Year|2016}} season. He started the [[2016 Cleveland Browns season|Cleveland Browns']] season-opener at the [[2016 Philadelphia Eagles season|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 [[2016 New England Patriots season|New England Patriots]]. During a Week 10 contest at the [[2016 Baltimore Ravens season|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 [[2016 Pittsburgh Steelers season|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.<ref>{{cite web| title=NFL Player stats: Christian Kirksey (2016)| url=http://www.nfl.com/player/christiankirksey/2543720/gamelogs?season=2016| accessdate=December 12, 2017| website=NFL.com}}</ref> ====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.<ref name="spotrac"/><ref>{{cite web|title=Browns sign Christian Kirksey to four-year extension|url=http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000812100/article/browns-ink-christian-kirksey-to-fouryear-extension|author=Sessler, Marc|website=NFL.com|date=May 30, 2017}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web| title=Report: Browns moving Christian Kirksey to OLB| url=https://www.247sports.com/nfl/cleveland-browns/Bolt/Cleveland-Browns-moving-Christian-Kirksey-52858019/Amp| accessdate=December 12, 2017| website=247sports.com| author=Josh Edwards| date=May 22, 2017}}</ref> During a Week 2 matchup at the [[2017 Baltimore Ravens season|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 [[2017 Tennessee Titans season|Tennessee Titans]]. On November 19, 2017, Kirksey collected 14 combined tackles and sacked [[2017 Jacksonville Jaguars season|Jacksonville Jaguars']] quarterback [[Blake Bortles]] in a 19–7 loss.<ref>{{cite web| title=NFL Player stats: Christian Kirksey (2017)| url=http://www.nfl.com/player/christiankirksey/2543720/gamelogs| accessdate=December 12, 2017| website=NFL.com}}</ref> 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.<ref name="career"/> [[Pro Football Focus]] gave Kirksey an overall grade of 59.6, ranking 52nd among all qualified linebackers in 2017.<ref>{{cite web| title=Pro Football Focus: Christian Kirksey| url=https://www.profootballfocus.com/nfl/players/christian-kirksey/8706| accessdate=April 13, 2018| website=profootballfocus.com}}</ref> ====2018==== On October 7, 2018, Kirksey recorded a season-high 12 tackles against the Baltimore Ravens.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/by-the-numbers-baker-mayfield-clears-the-300-mark-in-browns-win|title=By the Numbers: Baker Mayfield clears the 300-mark in Browns win|last=Maks|first=Patrick|date=October 7, 2018|website=Clevelandbrowns.com}}</ref> On October 14, Kirksey intercepted [[Los Angeles Chargers]]' [[Philip Rivers]], his first-career interception.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/football/news/browns-christian-kirksey-grabs-first-interception-sunday/|title=Browns' Christian Kirksey: Grabs first interception Sunday|last=|first=|date=October 14, 2018|work=CBSSports.com}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://brownswire.usatoday.com/2018/10/21/christian-kirksey-jarvis-landry-earn-browns-player-of-the-game-vs-buccaneers/|title=Christian Kirksey, Jarvis Landry earn Browns player of the game vs. Buccaneers|last=Risdon|first=Jeff|date=October 21, 2018|work=Browns Wire}}</ref> On November 7, he was placed on injured reserve with an hamstring injury.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/25205459/browns-place-christian-kirksey-ej-gaines-ir|title=Browns LB Kirksey, CB Gaines placed on IR|last=McManamon|first=Pat|date=November 7, 2018|work=ESPN.com}}</ref> ====2019==== On September 21, 2019, Kirksey was placed on injured reserve with a chest injury.<ref>{{cite web|title=Browns place LB Christian Kirksey on injured reserve, elevate LB Willie Harvey to active roster|url=https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/browns-place-lb-christian-kirksey-on-injured-reserve-elevate-lb-willie-harvey-to|website=ClevelandBrowns.com|date=September 21, 2019}}</ref> On March 10, 2020, Kirksey was released by the Browns after six seasons.<ref>{{cite web|title=Browns release veteran LB Christian Kirksey|url=https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/browns-release-veteran-lb-christian-kirksey|website=ClevelandBrowns.com|date=March 10, 2020}}</ref> ==In popular culture== Kirksey is featured in ''[[Madden NFL 15]]'', however, when used in the gamemode "Madden Ultimate Team", and put on the [[Tennessee Titans]]; due to a [[glitch]], his in-game avatar appears as 1&nbsp;ft 2&nbsp;in in height, which makes him the first "Foottall" player in ''Madden'' history.<ref>[http://ftw.usatoday.com/2014/09/the-titans-have-an-adorably-tiny-player-in-madden-15 The Titans have an adorably tiny player in Madden '15]</ref> Kirksey later appeared in a trailer [[EA Sports]] created for the game that features the glitch.<ref>[http://kotaku.com/ea-made-a-trailer-out-of-the-tiny-madden-glitch-1631825778 EA Trailer]</ref> ==References== {{reflist|30em}} ==External links== *[https://web.archive.org/web/20140513023618/http://www.hawkeyesports.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/christian_kirksey_584965.html Iowa Hawkeyes bio] {{Browns2014DraftPicks}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Kirksey, Christian}} [[Category:1992 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:African-American players of American football]] [[Category:American football linebackers]] [[Category:Cleveland Browns players]] [[Category:Iowa Hawkeyes football players]] [[Category:Players of American football from Missouri]] [[Category:Sportspeople from St. Louis]]'