Willie McGinest

Willie McGinest C/O 1990: Most Memorable LBP Football Moments "When Don Norford told me that regardless of my plans to only play basketball and regardless of what the basketball coach (Coach Kendrick) said, I was going to play football!"

The name Willie McGinest is synonymous with both the City of Long Beach and LB Poly Football. As a new generation of Jackrabbit football fans begin to emerge, Willie McGinest has become an iconic symbol of the greatness associated with the Poly football program. Willie was born on December 11, 1971 and began making his mark on the gridiron of Long Beach at the young age of eight.

As an athlete at Poly, Willie garnered all-state honors in football and basketball. On the gridiron, he earned All-American recognition from Super Prep, Blue Chip and Tom Lemming magazines and was selected to countless All-Star teams, earning All-City, All-State, and All-Region honors as a linebacker. On the court, he earned Long Beach Press-Telegram "Best in the West", All-CIF Southern Section and All-League honors. Upon his graduation in 1990, Willie championed both academics and athletics with the successful obtainment of both a CIF Championship and a 4.0 GPA.

After graduating from Poly, Willie attended USC where he continued to champion both athletic and academic feats as he worked towards a BA in Public Administration. His accomplishments as a USC Outside Linebacker and Defensive End include all-conference for three consecutive years, designation as a Lombardi finalist, All-American acclaim, most valuable defensive player at USC, and most inspirational player. In 1994 Willie was drafted as a first round pick in the NFL draft. During his 12 seasons as a New England Patriot, Willie was a three time Super Bowl Champion and Champion Pro-Bowler. He is currently in his third season as a Cleveland Brown.

One of the things that most contributes to the iconic status of Willie McGinest is his continued visibility in the community and his dedication to the youth of Long Beach and the programs that helped to mold him as a child. His work with the John C. Wallace Boys and Girls Club, Ability First, Long Beach Poly, and the Willie McGinest Charitable gift fund have garnered him recognition in the Boys and Girls Club Hall of Fame and the title of Athlete of the Year at the Century Club. Willie currently resides in Calabasas, CA with his wife and two daughters and is CEO of 55 Entertainment and the owner of four WingStop restaurants in Southern CA. For his dedication to the youth of Long Beach and his iconic prowess on and off the field, we are proud to induct Willie McGinest into the LB Poly Football Hall of Fame.

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