NFL

Wednesday’s NFL: Ex-Spartan Kings a receiver for hire

Chris Perkins
South Florida Sun Sentinel

Davie, Fla. — Macgarrett Kings Jr., the wide receiver/punt returner from Michigan State and University School in Fort Lauderdale, has stood across the street from the 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 a number of hashtags.

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.

“He had a little downfall and things like that, but he’s just here trying to turn a bad story into a good story so I’ve got faith in my guy, my dog, so I just came out here to kick it with him, say ‘What’s up,’ to him real quick.”

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.

Personnel dept.

The Vikings signed two-time Pro Bowl defensive end Everson Griffen to a reported four-year, $58 million contract extension.

... A day after the Cowboys released wide receiver Lucky Whitehead because the team had mistakenly believed he had been arrested last month for shoplifting in Virginia, the Jets claimed him.

... The Ravens signed running back Bobby Rainey and confirmed running back Kenneth Dixon will sit out the season because of a torn meniscus in his left knee.

... Falcons reciever Julio Jones’ lost a diamond earring valued at more than $100,000 when he hit a boat wake and took a spill while jet skiing in Lake Lanier, about 50 miles outside Atlanta.

News wire services contributed