Giants linebacker Brian Burns' off-field focus: 'Letting autism community know that I care'

Brian Burns’ day job is taking down quarterbacks. On Tuesday, the Giants linebacker explained why he wants to take down another opponent: the stigma surrounding autism.

He and his brother Stanley McClover hosted a luncheon at MetLife Stadium for dads who have children with autism. It’s a cause close to Burns’ heart since his 7-year-old nephew Champ, McClover’s son, has autism.

It’s also motivated Burns to use his foundation, Brian Burns Family Charities, to start the “I Am a Champion of Autism” initiative. The goal include promoting inclusion and understanding of autism as well as empower families, especially fathers, of autistic children.

“Just bringing awareness to support my brother, support my nephew,” Burns said. “Just letting the autism community know that I’m here and I care.”

McClover spoke to the crowd about the challenges raising his son, who is non-verbal. He also talked about how his son helped give him a renewed purpose after his NFL career and led to him starting his Hype 4 Life foundation to raise awareness about autism

It’s also brought he and Burns closer to help other parents who need support but also let the public know how to treat kids who have autism with empathy and understanding.

“Every time I talk to him about it and let him know what’s going on, he’s always very into it and emotional about it,” said McClover, who played 14 games with the Panthers and Texans from 2006-08. “I don’t like to put it on him too much, but enough to where he knows what’s going on and he’s got involved.”

Burns had Champ’s name on his cleats during Weeks 12 and 13 for the NFL’s “My Cause, My Cleats” campaign. It added another layer to how he’s made a greater impact in his second Giants season.

His 13 sacks lead the NFC and he was the leading vote-getter after the latest round of Pro Bowl fan voting was released Monday. Burns has also been one of the team’s leaders and has yet to miss a game since joining the team in 2024.

“He just handles the simple things very well and that allows him to have a clear mind when he’s out there playing,” safety Jevon Holland said Tuesday. “When you have a clear mind on the field, you’re just reacting and playing your best, so I think that’s what gives him the advantage.”

Yet as Burns racks up the sacks, his nephew has given him more to play for. By raising awareness for autism, it’s taught Burns to think beyond just playing football and find more ways to have a positive impact off the field.

“It’s so much more that I can do with my voice, so much more that I can do in the community and in the world,” he said. “So it has changed my mindset and it’s also a testament to getting older, maturing, understanding that I can really affect and help people out.”

Another coaching change

Coach Mike Kafka confirmed Tuesday that assistant defensive line coach Bryan Cox was relieved of his duties last week. He didn’t go into further detail and said he preferred to keep it in-house.

Cox is the third Giants coach to be fired this season and the second on the defensive side. It’s yet another casualty for a group that’s 30th in scoring defense and 31st in both total and rushing defense.

“Being in this job for the last few weeks, having to make some decisions and some of them have been very public. Many of them haven’t been,” Kafka said. “I think what I’ve learned is how can we continue to put this team in the best position to win games. And that’s what I’m evaluating.”

Practice windows opened

Kafka added that the 21-day practice windows for LB Darius Muasau (ankle) and CB Art Green (hamstring) have been opened. Muasau missed the last four games on injured reserve while Green was out for five . . . Linebacker Micah McFadden remains on track to return this season after suffering a foot injury in the opener. “Don’t know when," Kafka said. "Don’t have a timeline there yet, but I think he definitely has a chance."

By Evan Barnes

evan.barnes@newsday.comevan_b

Evan Barnes covers the Giants for Newsday. He previously covered the Brooklyn Nets, Memphis football and the Memphis Grizzlies and also covered prep sports in Los Angeles.