Early in Jon Gruden’s second tenure with the Oakland Raiders, he released talented but eccentric punter Marquette King. It was reported that Gruden and King didn’t mesh, perhaps because of how outspoken King is. Some of his antics really rubbed some former teammates the wrong way, especially Bruce Irvin.
Gruden made it clear that he wanted a culture shift, bringing in veterans who provide a good locker room presence. Following that trend, King was expendable despite being one of the best punters in the league.
Not too long after, the Raiders’ division rival Denver Broncos swooped in and signed King to a three-year deal. Rather unsurprisingly, before even playing a game for them, King is already making waves.
It all started with King ruining a radio interview with former Bronco Brandon Stokley because he didn’t want to talk about football. Oh the irony. As expected, King took his qualms to social media, targeting Darren McKee of 104.3, the same station King appeared on with Stokley.
In response, McKee tweeted at King telling him that he should apologize to Stokley for his behavior. Needless to say, King wasn’t too pleased with McKee’s advice.
Little advice. Go to Brandon Stokely – who played for the broncos two different times, played in the league for 15 years, is in the Louisiana sports hall of fame, is a fantastic father and husband and apologize for an incredibly disrespectful and rude interview. If you don’t want
— Darren McKee (@dmac1043) August 5, 2018
King followed up on his tasteless tweet to McKee by threatening him at Denver’s training camp. Apparently, King approached McKee and said, “Keep my name out of your mouth.” The situation was defused by team representatives who had to escort King off the field.
Purely looking at his punting ability, few are better than King. Last season, he finished with an average distance of 47.4 yards, the third-highest mark for any punter in the league.
Undoubtedly, King is a supremely talented punter. But with this recent stunt, the Broncos must be realizing why the Raiders were comfortable with moving on.
Well most of the fans I’ve see HATE McKee and they’re taking King’s side. So there’s that.
Just shut up and kick
Marquette my friend you are a punter. Kick the ball and stay out of your own way. Let guys who are important and play 45 plays a game take the lead
DMac can get the bozack
If King wasn’t important, Broncos would have kept Riley Dixon…it’s McKee who is unimportant,,,
LMAO you idiots act like McKee is a journalist. He’s a clown and always has been. So he references Stokley, who works for the same station he does. What a shocker, but the fact you act like McKee is a serious journalist is hilarious. He constantly rips players because he personally doesn’t like them.
He did not say anything bad about his team or fellow players. He doesn’t have to shut up.
King was an awful signing. Talent is one thing but character is something else and this guy is a world class douche. Denver should cut their losses and let him go immediately.
Get rid of him now. Disrespectful to Broncos. Trash. It will only get worse. Always not that smart I guess
A friend of mine brought up the idea that McKee could possibly be an undercover Oakland Raiders fan, demonstrating Oakland was correct for cutting King
For Marquette King : You need to become thick skinned and don’t let things like that bother you. If you do right and ignore these things, the Denver Broncos and fan base will love you. Don’t let the Raiders be correct in portraying you as some kind of out of touch person.
Save what you are feeling, paybacks begin next month. Look forward to those 65-75 yd punts. Especially against Oakland. So them that punters can make a huge difference in field position.
Honestly, media types, grow some thicker skin, and PLEASE, STOP with the “more holy” than thou BS. You needle someone, you are likely to get pricked..so try not being a prick. Own your part in trying to get a known reactionary player to react. He is NOT being disrespectful to the Broncos, or the organization (unlike Dawkins failing to mention his time w. Denver), he was being honest, with an antagonist, and not playing reindeer games. Media has lost their way often running stories for and on clicks and swipes and all that other crap. Own your part fellas, or FO.
There sure is…count me as one of them. McKee neeeds some lessons in kouth.
He is important jerky. Thats why he is well paid, and we are thrilled to have him. ST killed the team last year. King is part of the fix. Whats your excuse?
You know nothing. Especially about someone you have no clue about. “Douche’? cause he told some re tard reporter to fuck off? Sure buddy…go vote for Trump again, Einstein.
I think d Mac always has a position on whatever aspect of the Broncos is being discussed. I for one think he is one of the best on air guys in the biz. I heard the interview king was a total jerk.
He wasnt disrespectful to Broncos (as you stated) he was disrespectful to Darren McKee , which is funny because King without knowing it just dished back to McKee what Dmac does to all kinds of people. Dmac is incredibly disrespectful to people he doesnt like. Dmac has a condition called diarhea of the mouth. I applaud King for speaking his mind in a candid manner. King owes Stokely nothing, as Stokely did not identify himself and was acting in his capacity as a radio jock not a representative of the Broncos.
It would be wise for Mr. King to be more respectful as a Bronco, as he is under contract. But as a broadcaster myself, I do not respect the faux indignance of this pair, and if this story hadn’t gone national no one would know McKee or Stokely outside the E-470. Should King eventually figure it out stylistically and be the next Ray Guy, this moment will be remembered as “before” and not “constant”.
These are two guys I really like. DMac is my boy and I’ve been listening to him for more than a decade in this town. He just felt like he was defending his colleagues and you can’t fault him for that. He never said anything wrong. Having said that. King is a badass punter and he’s going to rock in Mile High and be the best in the league as a Bronco. I love this guys attitude and enthusiasm. Can’t wait to see him do it. This will all be water under the bridge when the season gets underway. Go Broncos!!
My thoughts exactly. Dmac and the guy in the morning show with Schlereth. I think his name is Mike Evans. As soon as he starts talking I have to immediately change the station.
You need some lessons in spelling