The former NFL punter claims he could "dominate it easily"
Twitter reacts to American Football star Marquette King’s rugby claim
Former NFL punter Marquette King sent rugby Twitter into a flurry of action in the early hours of Saturday morning with a tweet saying, “If I played rugby I would dominate it easily.”
If I played rugby I would dominate it easily.
— Marquette King (@MarquetteKing) June 20, 2020
King kicked for the Oakland Raiders between 2012 and 2017 and had one season with the Denver Broncos in 2018. He has recently turned out for the St Louis BattleHawks in the XFL.
Unsurprisingly, after he made his bold call about the other oval-ball game, it brought out some interesting reactions from rugby fans and figures on social media.
Here are some examples of the best replies.
You’re welcome to join us for training anytime. https://t.co/QanJhkhV8z
— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) June 20, 2020
First was the All Blacks. Then there was a response from Fiji’s general manager of high performance, Simon Raiwalui.
I love the confidence. If you wish I could organise a little 10m gauntlet drill with Radradra, Tuisova, Yato, Nakarara and Mata as an introduction? I can even format the drill to suit, 15 seconds on, 15 minutes off… https://t.co/ehvp1el8dI
— Simon Raiwalui (@SimonRaiwalui) June 20, 2020
Related: The links between rugby and the NFL
And there were lots of other interesting suggestions for the American Football veteran.
Yo, @SeawolvesRugby @usmlr when are tryouts? https://t.co/8JgkMf0Gxi
— Jessamyn McIntyre (@JessamynMcIntyr) June 20, 2020
Come down to ATX for a tryout? ? https://t.co/XaF5syZAdV
— Austin Gilgronis (@Gilgronis) June 20, 2020
No helmets allowed! https://t.co/IVdUiKkqjK
— Stefan Terblanche (@StefanT15) June 20, 2020
Related: Who has the most beautiful kick in rugby?
Please try https://t.co/rbJMnBIcw6
— The 2nd Row (@the2ndRow) June 20, 2020
As you can imagine, some of those who know the modern game fairly intimately had some views on the American’s call too.
https://t.co/Eke8V1ZY2X pic.twitter.com/uxQigoRTY6
— Carl Fearns (@Carl_Fearns) June 20, 2020
— World Rugby (@WorldRugby) June 20, 2020
??????♂️ https://t.co/0rksxtWhzD
— Jordan Crane (@JordanCrane86) June 20, 2020
Bro https://t.co/fhiu2reGfP pic.twitter.com/YSJDIr0haO
— James Wilson (@_JamesWilson_) June 20, 2020
If I was a bicycle, I’d win the Tour de France.
— Squidge Rugby (@SquidgeRugby) June 20, 2020
Related: Watch Christian Wade’s incredible touchdown
Play tighthead, it’s fun they said! ? pic.twitter.com/mtbhpaAQsc
— Petrus du Plessis (@PetrusduPlessis) June 20, 2020
Of course King did respond to a few folk getting back to him on Twitter, though only a few.
Would still rick the 1 sleeve https://t.co/ZUeLlfyUqg
— Marquette King (@MarquetteKing) June 20, 2020
It is the word “dominate” that may have caught a few off guard, but then again, there have been some humble calls from the athlete on social media in the past…
I got tested for swag n just found out I’m positive. ??
— Marquette King (@MarquetteKing) June 16, 2020
With so many top-end rugby teams teams willing to give the kicker a trial go or a run out at their training, let’s see if he does back his words up.
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