Here are 3 things that will leave you instantly fascinated with Saints cornerback Mike McKenzie.
1.) He refers to himself in the third person.
2.) Unlike many Saints fans, he doesn’t think Jason David sucks. In fact, he thinks #42 is pretty darn good.
3.) While playing in the NFL means a lot to him, it doesn’t mean everything to him.

Mike McKenzie the man never forgot the dreams and hardships of Mike McKenzie the child. It is his connection to the past that inspires him everyday, not just on the football field, but off. His debt of gratitude to the people who helped him stay on the straight and narrow is in part the inspiration for McKenzie’s pride and joy, the 34 Ways Foundation. You might say the non-profit foundation is one of the loves of his life. It is his way of reaching out to the youth, giving back, and paving the way for the next generation of football superstars, doctors, lawyers, TV personalities, chefs, and whatever else the children he meets aspire to be.

“I tell the kids they need to be responsible for their life, their circumstances and who they are. Everyone comes from different backgrounds and they need to overcome their own destiny. Whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.”

His passion for his organization parallels his passion for his home of the past four years, New Orleans. McKenzie joined the Saints squad back in 2004 after a four-year stint with the Green Bay Packers. Upon moving to New Orleans, he instantly fell in love with a city that was everything Green Bay wasn’t.

“Seeing folks that look similar to myself, a lot of the culture, hair styles, lingo…I felt right at home. I understand it’s a city that doesn’t have as many opportunities available to them and really that’s where the 34 Ways Foundation comes in. (We) let people know that not everyone gets the same opportunity but everyone does get an opportunity. Make good with the opportunities you get.”

He now hopes to partner his foundation with a New Orleans based organization that would allow him to utilize their facilities for various athletic programs. Currently, the foundation is limited to back to school drives and one-day camps. If McKenzie could partner up with a facility, it would open the door to more ongoing community related events that could take place year round.

“It’s a way of life for me, it’s who I am. People ask me what I’m gonna do once I finish football. I tell them I’m going to do what I do now, educate others, particularly in finance and the importance of home ownership, property.”

McKenzie says he’s amazed by how little kids know about the importance of good credit. He’s started reaching out to kids as young as elementary school age to teach them the basics about saving and spending wisely. He believes these basic financial skills are just as important as reading, writing, and ‘rithmitic. McKenzie says he’s already in talks with his teammate Jon Vilma, who runs his own non-profit called Financial 51, to implement a finance education program in New Orleans. Mike McKenzie believes that if anyone can get through to these kids about money, it’s Mike McKenzie.

“I relate real well with them and give them down to earth situations that they’ll experience. It impacts all of them to know someone like Mike McKenzie from a similar background made it. They think, ‘if he was able to do it, I can do it.’”

But Mike McKenzie can’t do it alone. If you’d like to learn more about future events or how you can help, check out the website for the 34 Ways Foundation.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a Chick Chat without a little goofiness. Stay tuned for part 2 of my interview with Mike McKenzie, when we talk hair, gumbo, and his other favorite team.