Marquette King's first season as punter for the Denver Broncos hasn't even started yet and he's already butting heads with members of the Denver media. In an interview with 104.3 The Fan hosts Zach Bye and former NFL wide receiver Brandon Stokley, King ruffled some feathers when he appeared unwilling to answer any questions pertaining to football.
The brief conversation went like this (H/T Silver And Black Pride):
Q: With two weeks of camp how would you summarize it for yourself?
King: Mmm...I don’t know how to summarize it...good? Like a regular practice day.
Q: How’s the transition been with a new team, new locker room moving from Oakland to Denver?
King: Mmm...I don’t know. It’s cool. Got some cool people on the team.
Q: How is your relationship so far with the coaching staff? Getting along well?
King: Yup. Everything’s going good.
Q: You always have a lot of personality, but it doesn’t seem like you have a lot to say right now. You frustrated about something in particular?
King: I just don’t like talking about football. I just do it.
Q: Well, tell us about yourself. Who is Marquette King, what do you like to do, what do you enjoy?
King: I know I like more oxygen.
Q: (Laughs) Is the altitude bothering you a little bit?
King: It gets on my nerves sometimes, but, I mean, it’s my job, so...yeah.
Q: How much are you looking forward to getting to start a week from tomorrow in preseason?
King: Ummm... I mean it’s definitely coming. So...
Host: Alright we’ll leave it at that, thanks for coming by... (King walks away)... Wow!...
Following that 90-second interview, King took a shot at Darren McKee of 104.3 The Fan, who responded by telling the veteran punter to apologize for his "incredibly disrespectful and rude interview."
The next day, King reportedly located McKee at the Broncos' practice facility and confronted him. According to McKee, the exchange on the field went like this, "Marquette King just came up to me and told me to “keep my name out your mouth”. It’s asked him “or what?” And he said it again in a threatening manner and was escorted by PR back into the building."
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Some of King's teammates, such as Emmanuel Sanders and Shelby Harris, have since come to his defense. Check out some of their comments in the tweets embedded below.