A rookie mistake won’t cost Falcons’ linebacker Takkarist McKinley this time.

It’s been reported by multiple sources that McKinley won’t be fined for using an explicative on live television after his name was called with the No. 26 overall selection in the 2017 NFL Draft on Thursday.

In an interview with former Falcon Deion Sanders, the linebacker out of UCLA gave an impassioned speech about his late-grandmother and his promise to make it to the NFL before slipping an f-bomb.

McKinley's response to the slip up, "Fine me later."

Suggested video:

The Falcons made moves in the 2017 NFL Draft and made six selections.

About the Author

Keep Reading

Atlanta Dream forward Brionna Jones (24) controls the ball during the first half against the Minnesota Lynx of an WNBA game at the Gateway Center Arena, Friday, June 27, 2025, in College Park, Ga. The Lynx won 96-92 in OT. (Jason Getz / AJC)

Credit: Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com

Featured

Scott Jackson (right), business service consultant for WorkSource Fulton, helps job seekers with their applications in a mobile career center at a job fair hosted by Goodwill Career Center in Atlanta. (Ziyu Julian Zhu/AJC)

Credit: Ziyu Julian Zhu/AJC