The ball twirled and tumbled through the air, tracing a path as unpredictable as the man who sent it flying. It eventually found its home deep inside the 20-yard line. The opposition had been pinned back once more by a booming punt.As for the man who delivered the kick? Well, he strutted off the field confident as ever. It was just another day at the office for the Renegades' Marquette King.King puts the special in special teams. Not only is he a gifted cartographer capable of plotting the ball anywhere on the field, he also is eccentric, a stark contrast to the stoicism a sociated with his position.So, just how did King end up in the XFL? Well,the 34-year-old has had quite the journey after seven highlight-filled seasons in the NFL.This weekend, he's back in the spotlight as one of the big names in spring football. He'll be kicking for Arlington in the XFL championship game against the D.C. Defenders. Who doesn't love a good comeback?MORE:Here's what you need to
George Brett Jersey know about King, who lit up NFL stadiums not too long ago:It's easy to forget just how good King was during his NFL career. The Macon, Ga., native seemed an unlikely candidate for profe sional succe s, even after a sparkling career at Division II Fort Valley State.King joined the Raiders as an undrafted free agent in 2012. The next year, he led the league in punting average. In 2016, he earned second-team All-Pro honors. Not too shabby for a player who spent his first two years in college catching balls rather than booting them.He also was a breath of fresh air within an atmosphere of bleak conformity. He was an athlete who played punter; the converted wide receiver ran the 40-yard dash in 4.67 seconds. His frame 6-0, 195 pounds was cut from marble. Even the number he wore, 7, exuded a certain confidence, evoking images
Frank White Jersey of a skillful winger in soccer or hockey.So, what gave? Where did it all go wrong for King?As one of a precious few Black kickers and punters to ever make the grade in the pros, he couldn't keep a low profile. The glare only intensified when he began making waves with his actions on and off the field.FLASHBACK:|The organization to which he was tethered added to the drama by hiring Jon Gruden
Abraham Almonte Jersey of racist and homophobic e-mail fame in 2018.King doesn't believe the Silver and Black gave him a fair shot after Gruden's hire. Despite purchasing gifts for Gruden and special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia to help break the ice, King was released on March 30, 2018.For King, everything started to make sense once Gruden's pattern of discrimination came to light.Its only been 6 African American punters 2 play in the NFL since 1920 n earn at least 1 credited season. Over the last 3 seasons I havent been able to get a job but still have a top 5 punting average. Blaming me not having a job because of antics n attitude is surface thinking. Marquette King (@MarquetteKing) "That's what I feel like," King in 2022. "Thats the only way you can be like that towards somebody if you never met them. I dont know, some people just got hate in their heart."The Broncos signed King to a three-year contract a week after his release from the Raiders, but his Denver career never got off the ground. King was released in October 2018 after being placed on injured reserve with a thigh injury.Since
Willie Wilson Jersey then, he has been a nomad. He took his talents to the XFL's St. Louis Battlehawks in 2020 and was leading the league in punting before the season was suspended due to the onset of COVID-19.Someone check on after this Marquette King punt @xfl2020 ESPN (@espn) He stayed ready during his time away from the gridiron. His commitment paid off in 2023 when he was selected by the XFL's Renegades. He finished second in the league in punting average (46.5 yards per boot) this season, trailing only fellow former NFLer Brad Wing.MORE:King may not have returned to the heights he once occupied, but he has left fans with many memories. You can't be mad at that."Hes a little different, but hes a good guy," former teammate Cordarrelle Patterson said, per . "He was kind of like a diva, but he wasn't. He really didnt show it that much, but like, he was
Melky Cabrera Jersey crazy, man. He had fun, though. I respect him as a person, but he just did things a little different."YearTeamPuntsYdsAvgTBIN202012RaidersDNP (injured)2013Raiders844,10748.911232014Raiders1094,93045.23312015Raiders833,69744.54402016Raiders813,93748.69342017Raiders693,27047.46282018Broncos2088144.117You can't talk about King without bringing up his post-punt performances. The man was pure theater as he tore things up on the NFL gridiron. Here's some of his best work: Raiders punter Marquette King got flagged for celebrating his roughing the kicker call with the same flag Fanatics View (@fanaticsview) Swallowcast Question: Better celebration - Marquette King's or Zeke's Vance Hinch (@barefootrocstar) Marquette King does Shawne Merriman "Lights Out" dance vs ChargersL.A. fans are like ... what's that? Eric Edholm (@Eric_Edholm) If I could watch the raiders just to watch Marquette King punt and dance that would be ok. Swaggiest punter in the league Andre (@TotalDreMove)
