Kris Jenkins

Kristopher Rudy-Charles Jenkins (born August 3, 1979 in Ypsilanti, Michigan) is a former American football nose tackle who played for the Carolina Panthers and New York Jets of the National Football League. He was originally drafted by the Panthers in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft. He played college football at Maryland.

A three-time All-Pro and four-time Pro Bowl selection, Jenkins played seven seasons for the Panthers before being traded to the New York Jets in 2008. He is the older brother of Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Cullen Jenkins.

College career
Jenkins played college football at the University of Maryland, where he started 27 of 41 games. He made the second team All-ACC during his senior season. He finished with 9.5 sacks and 154 tackles.

2001 NFL Draft
Jenkins was selected in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft by Carolina.

Carolina Panthers
Jenkins finished the 2002 season with 60 tackles and 7 sacks, en route to an alternate appearance on the NFC's Pro Bowl team, where he replaced an injured Warren Sapp. The following season, he helped the Panthers on their way to Super Bowl XXXVIII. In one game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Jenkins blocked two kicks: a field goal attempt by Martin Gramatica, and an extra point attempt that would have won the game. Jenkins' second block marked the first time that an extra point was blocked to send a game into overtime (Carolina later won the game). Jenkins was rewarded with his first Pro Bowl start, and joined teammate Mike Rucker as half of the NFC's defensive front line.

However, the 2004 NFL season saw Jenkins suffer a shoulder injury in the second game against Kansas City, and he spent the latter half of the season on injured reserve. His injuries continued during the first game of the 2005 NFL season when he tore his anterior cruciate ligament and was once again placed on injured reserve.

New York Jets
On February 29, 2008, the Carolina Panthers traded Jenkins to the New York Jets for third- and fifth-round draft picks in the 2008 NFL Draft. For much of his first season with the Jets, Jenkins was dominant and garnered heavy consideration for the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year award. On Sunday October 18, 2009, Jenkins left the game against the Buffalo Bills with a left knee injury. He was officially lost for the season the next day with a torn ACL. On September 13, 2010 Kris Jenkins again tore his ACL in a game against the Baltimore Ravens, which ended his season for the second time in a row.

The Jets released Jenkins on February 28, 2011.

Retirement
Jenkins announced his retirement from football on July 20, 2011.