Willie McGinest William Lee McGinest , Jr . ( born December 11 , 1971 ) is a former American football linebacker who played fifteen seasons in the National Football League ( NFL ) . Early life and career . The second of three children , McGinest attended Long Beach Polytechnic High School , where he garnered all - state honors in football and basketball . In football , he earned All - American recognition from " Super Prep " , " Blue Chip " and " Tom Lemming " magazines and was selected to several all - star teams , earning all - city , all - state , and all - region honors as a linebacker in 1989 . He totaled 107 tackles , including 18 sacks , two fumble recoveries , four passes defensed , including an interception , and blocked four kicks as a senior . In 2009 , McGinest was elected to Poly ' s Football Hall of Fame . On the court , he earned " Long Beach Press - Telegram " " Best in the West , " All - CIF Southern Section and all - league honors while averaging 14 points per game during the 1989 - 90 season . College career . From 1990 to 1993 , McGinest played football at the University of Southern California . He wore number 55 . McGinest earned all - conference honors three straight years and All - American acclaim . During his senior year , he was a Lombardi Award finalist , and earned All - American and All - Pac - 10 conference honors . He started every game at weakside defensive end for the Trojans . McGinest finished his collegiate career with 193 tackles ( 134 solos ) , 29 sacks ( 171 yards ) , 48 tackles for loss ( 238 yards ) and 26 passes batted away . McGinest received a degree in public administration from USC in 1994 . NFL career . New England Patriots . McGinest was drafted by the New England Patriots in the first round ( fourth overall ) of the 1994 NFL Draft . He was one of the cornerstones for New England ' s success in winning the Super Bowl in 2001 , 2003 , and 2004 . He was named to the Pro Bowl twice , in 1996 and 2003 . In Super Bowl XXXIX , McGinest was used in a different manner than his regular role . While he usually lines up as an outside linebacker in a 3 - 4 scheme , the Patriots moved him to the defensive line as a defensive end in an effort to keep Philadelphia quarterback Donovan McNabb from scrambling . In the 2005 wild card game , which the Patriots won 28 - 3 , against the Jacksonville Jaguars , he set an NFL postseason record by recording 4 . 5 sacks in one game as well as breaking Bruce Smith ' s record for the most all - time sacks in the postseason with 16 . His 78 career sacks rank third all time for the Patriots . The Patriots released McGinest on March 9 , 2006 . Cleveland Browns . On March 15 , 2006 , McGinest signed with the Cleveland Browns , reuniting with head coach Romeo Crennel , who was the Patriots ' defensive coordinator during McGinest ' s stint in New England . McGinest signed a three - year deal worth $ 12 million with $ 6 million in guarantees and bonuses . McGinest stated in an interview prior to the 2008 season that he would be playing his final year of professional football before retiring in the offseason . In July 2009 , McGinest stated that he would like to end his career with the Patriots . Charity work . McGinest established the Willie McGinest Freedom School , a program which aims to provide social and cultural enrichment for neighborhood youth . On May 3 , 2005 , the city council of Long Beach declared that every year , May 3 will be recognized as Willie McGinest Day in recognition of his charitable efforts and civic involvement . During the 2004 holiday season , McGinest sponsored " Shop with a Jock , " an event that gave 50 Boston - area children the opportunity to go on a $ 100 shopping spree with him and his teammates . He has since sponsored a similar event in the Cleveland area with Browns teammates . Business and Entertainment Ventures . McGinest owns an entertainment company in Los Angeles called " 55 Entertainment " , and has had cameo appearances in television shows such as " Arli $ $ " and " The Game " , and had a small role as a detective in the film " I Tried " , with rap group Bone Thugs N ' Harmony .