Alabama DB Kool-Aid McKinstry featured in question on Jeopardy

Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Kool-Aid McKinstry has long since been known for his unique name, which is technically his nickname. In fact, it’s such an iconic name that McKinstry even recently found himself as the correct response to a question on Jeopardy.

McKinstry was the $200 clue in a category called, ironically enough, “Name, Image, and Likeness.” His question was also the last of the round chosen by the contestants.

Jeopardy host Ken Jennings read out, “It’s the nickname of Alabama CB Ga’Quincy McKinstry, whose smile resembled this pitch ‘man’; now he has an NIL deal with the drink, oh yeah.”

Pretty quickly one of the contestants was able to give the correct response of, “What’s the Kool-Aid Man?”

For most college football fans and certainly most Alabama fans, it wasn’t a particularly tough clue. Of course, that’s also part of why it was the low $200 clue. Still, there was a trick in it that you needed to name the mascot and not just the nickname, which does have that slight variation by not including the word man.

Kool-Aid and Kool-Aid McKinstry were always a match made in heaven for an NIL deal, though he’s long since made it clear that he wanted to let his family focus on things like NIL deals while his focus stayed on winning during his time at Alabama.

During his time at Alabama, Kool-Aid McKinstry played three seasons, being named All-SEC twice and an All-American in 2023. He had 93 career tackles and a pair of interceptions.

Now, McKinstry is getting ready for the NFL Draft, where he’s expected to be a high pick. Regardless of where he does end up, it’s probably safe to say that McKinstry and Kool-Aid will continue their relationship moving forward.

Nick Saban opens up on the growth of Kool-Aid McKinstry as a leader

One place Kool-Aid McKinstry impressed head coach Nick Saban was as a leader and, during the 2023 season, Saban praised him for that growth.

“You know, he’s done a good job. I think, you know, he has a lot of confidence in what he’s supposed to do and I think he’s starting to see the importance of how influencing other people can actually create value for himself,” Saban said.

“But that’s a little harder to do at corner than it is when you’re playing safety or star. Because you’re in the middle of things and you’re making calls, but he’s done a good job of that.”