Motivated By Faith, Driven by His Mother and on a Mission to Get a Degree: 2012 WR Macgarrett Kings is a Special Spartan!

Throughout Macgarrett Kings’ life, there has been one person who has never left his side – his mother. While she has also been harder on him than anyone

Throughout Macgarrett Kings’ life, there has been one person who has never left his side – his mother. While she has also been harder on him than anyone else, the incoming Spartan wide receiver is thankful for the tough love.

“My mom is hard on me because she loves me,” he says. “She tells me that all the time and I appreciate her for it. My dad is hard on me, too. They’re not so hard on me to the point that I want to give up, though; they just make me want to push harder and make it for them.”

His mother was helpful to his high school coaches and teachers, too.

“Mom is a coach’s best friend. All my coaches at school have my mom’s number. If I’m not looking at the board or I’m talking in class, all they have to do is call or email my mom, and the next day I’m sure to be on point.”

It will be quite a change relocating to Michigan from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, but Kings believes Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio’s strong faith will make the transition less difficult for him.

“My mom brought me up in a spiritual home,” he says, “and anyone who is spiritual has guidance. And that’s what I need, especially moving away from home. I need someone who will keep me on the right track and not stray.”

On the field, Kings is a wide receiver whose kick and punt returning skills have him being compared to MSU senior Keshawn Martin. He says he is making sure none of the attention goes to his head.

 “It’s just a blessing from God. A lot of people would love to be in the position I’m in right now, so I’m just going to take the chance and run with it.”

And run away with it he has managed to do consistently – usually with a ball in his hands. This young player rarely drops a pass.

“In my high school career, I honestly can’t think of one I dropped,” he admits when asked. “I just feel like when the ball is in the air, that’s probably the only opportunity I’ll get, so I try to catch every one and make the most of the yards after it.”

Besides his speed and ball skills, his work ethic is a major reason why Kings is one of a few incoming players whom Coach Dantonio has mentioned as potential instant contributors. 

“I’m only about 5-foot-9,” he admits, although the roster lists him as two inches taller. “But I make up for it with my big heart.”

Like many other incoming players, Kings is ready to move to campus.

“I just really want to get in there, so I can get to know the playbook and contribute anywhere I’m needed,” he says, “anywhere Coach Dantonio needs me.”

For Kings, though, college is more than just a path to a career in the National Football League. He plans to study sports management or law – “something that’ll really help me in my future” – and a degree is as important to him as his sport. 

“(Getting a degree) is gonna make me feel like I achieved something in life other than football,” he says. “I’ve been playing football since I was four years old, so it almost feels like a ‘gimme’ from God. Getting a degree, though, you have to really earn it, study, work hard. I can’t wait to hang it up in my office when I go to work someday.”

Maybe most of all, Kings looks forward to handing his degree to his mom four or five years from now in his green cap and gown.

“It’ll be a big thank you and will hopefully be proof for her that my love is unconditional.”