Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Kings shows team he’s outstanding in field
DAVIE – Macgarrett Kings Jr., the wide receiver/punt returner from Michigan State and University School, has stood across the street from the Miami Dolphins training facility every day for the past week or so. Typically, Kings, whose four-year college career ended in 2016, stays for an hour, maybe an hour and a half, sometimes two hours.
Dressed in shorts and a sleeveless Michigan State T-shirt, Kings has his cleats hung around his neck, tied at the shoelaces, and holds a piece of cardboard with a handwritten message that reads, “Ready to work. Will work for Free !!!! ”
The sign also includes his phone number, and #Humble, #Grateful, #Diamond-in-the-rough, #Blessed, #hungry, #for the love of the game, #Pancho__85 and #spartandawg.
Kings, the 2011 Sun Sentinel Player of the Year, has never seen Dolphins coach Adam Gase or special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi drive by.
“But if I see them,” he said, “they’re definitely going to get a wave and salute from Macgarrett Kings, for sure.”
Kings was productive in his four seasons at Michigan State. He ended his four-year career with 116 receptions for 1,461 yards and nine touchdowns in 48 games while making 14 starts. His 116 receptions are tied for 17th in school history.
But Kings, who appears physically fit at 5-foot-11, 190 pounds, also had trouble in the form of an arrest for driving under the influence in college.
“It’s not about the fall, it’s how you bounce back, and I feel God has worked on me morally, spiritually and characteristic wise, and I feel like I’m back and better than ever,” he said. “Reincarnated, man.”
As Kings was delivering his testimonial, Dolphins cornerback Tony Lippett, a teammate at Michigan State, drove by in his car. Lippett was on his way into the facility for a workout. He parked his car and came back across the street to chat with Kings, an occasional workout partner.
“It’s my guy, man, he’s out here with a dream,” Lippett said. “He’s been working hard, been grinding as of late, … and he’s out here just trying to accomplish what he started.”
Yes, Kings is going the long way to get into the NFL. And no, he doesn’t have an agent.
“I had an agent,” he said. “Everybody says get an agent, but I put my trust in the Lord, not man. It’s always good to have an agent, someone to talk for you, but my faith is in God and I know God can do it for me.”
Kings said he worked out at Michigan State’s Pro Day during the winter and ran a 4.53-second 40-yard dash.
“I didn’t do the other tests, I just did my 40 test and ran routes,” he said. “I ran awesome, terrific routes.”
But no NFL team called. Still, Kings isn’t dissuaded. He insists he’ll press on.
“Like I said before this is my dream team to play, for the Miami Dolphins,” he said. “But if any other team comes and gives me a chance it’ll be a blessing from God, man. That’s all it’ll be, a blessing from the Lord.”