Kool-Aid McKinstry's real name hides his most important role for the New Orleans Saints

Billy Heyen

Kool-Aid McKinstry's real name hides his most important role for the New Orleans Saints image

Kool-Aid McKinstry has one of the coolest names in sports.

How do you beat Kool-Aid?

But the New Orleans Saints' second-year cornerback out of Alabama is so much more than a player with a fun nickname.

He's also set for a major role in year two after being a second-round pick out of Alabama.

"The Saints are excited about second-year cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry," The Athletic's Jeff Howe wrote on Aug. 29. "The 2024 second-round pick out of Alabama showed up to camp in terrific shape, and he’s shown strong ball skills, instincts and toughness. McKinstry could become their next stud corner after Marshon Lattimore and Paulson Adebo departed."

So don't sleep on him just because of his name.

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What is Kool-Aid McKinstry's real name?

Kool-Aid McKinstry's first name isn't Kool-Aid, believe it or not.

His first name is Ga'Quincy.

Yep, Ga'Quincy McKinstry, a nice rhyme, who goes by Kool-Aid.

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Why is he called Kool-Aid McKinstry?

Kool-Aid's grandmother gave him the nickname soon after he was born, according to the New Orleans Saints' official website.

She thought he had a "Kool-Aid smile" and the name clearly stuck.

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Billy Heyen

Billy Heyen is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. He is a 2019 graduate of Syracuse University who has written about many sports and fantasy sports for The Sporting News. Sports reporting work has also appeared in a number of newspapers, including the Sandusky Register and Rochester Democrat & Chronicle