NYG Safety Xavier McKinney Visits
Iona Preparatory School for Annual Father-Son Breakfast

National Football League Safety Xavier McKinney was the guest of honor at Iona Preparatory School on Sunday, March 20, for the New Rochelle school’s annual Father-Son Breakfast.  Speaking to more than 230 boys, dads, uncles, and grandfathers, the 2020 second-round draft pick out of Alabama talked about playing for the legendary Nick Saban, his journey to the New York Giants and what it’s like preparing for Tom Brady, sharing lessons and insight he learned along the way during an inspirational talk.  

It was fitting to have a Giant in the room, as the Father & Son Breakfast first began as a community builder over 60 years ago with former owner and Iona Prep parent Wellington T. Mara getting Giants players to attend the breakfast when his sons attended during the 1970s.  McKinney was excited to see the high school yearbook photos of the current franchise executives John ’72, HOF’17, now CEO and President,), Senior Vice President of Player Personnel Chris ’75 and Vice President of Community Relations Frank ’78, P’07,’09,’14,’17 Mara, posing for photos on his way out.

For the 20th consecutive year, the event was spearheaded by alumnus and parent Christopher Fulco LS’81, US’85, P’14,’18, who recalled the legendary Frank Gifford coming to speak when he was a student at then Iona Grammar School. Since Iona Grammar and Iona Preparatory reunited in 2013, Fulco has marketed the event to both campuses, continuing the tradition of community building.

“Having breakfast with your dad and family is an Iona Prep tradition,” Fulco said, adding that the 2022 installment also raised $4,000 for the school and was catered by the Avenue Deli of New Rochelle.