Former Raiders and Broncos punter Marquette King has announced via Twitter that he has entered the 2023 XFL Draft Player Pool. The second-team All Pro punter in 2016 has been out of the NFL since 2018, but was a member of the St. Louis Battlehawks in 2020.
Had to make sure I was in the right state of mind before I committed to this. I’m all IN! @XFL2023 😤 pic.twitter.com/44v7hYy2E1
— Marquette King (@MarquetteKing) August 9, 2022
King brings some immediate name recognition to the XFL. He led the NFL in punting yards in 2014, and did the same in the XFL in 2020. He might be best known for his celebrations, displaying everything from the ‘Connor McGregor’ saunter, to even playing with a penalty flag with the Raiders.
It could be speculated that these celebrations led to his demise in the NFL. As we all know, NFL teams do not tolerate headaches from anything less than star players. HIs productivity diminished slightly over the years. This could be attributed to injuries, as he was placed on IR with the Broncos two days before his release.
In 2019, the St. Louis Battlehawks selected King in the 2020 supplemental draft. This turned out to be a fortuitous selection. Despite being shutdown after five games due to COVID-19, King led the league in punt average with 45.7 yards. He also led the league in total punt yardage with 868 yards on 19 punts. He still displayed his signature strong leg with a 63 yard punt.
King is only 33, right in the prime of a special teams player. Perhaps some good showings will show NFL teams that he still deserves a shot. The XFL might be the best home for King, however, with his brashness being at least one reason that he is no longer in the NFL. Only time will tell, but XFL fans can look forward to King’s presence.
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