By Damond Talbot | December 28, 2019 | Reprinted from www.nfldraftdiamonds.com
Skye King the pass rusher formerly of York University recently sat down with Jimmy Williams of Draft Diamonds.
• Name: Skye King
• Height: 6’3
• Weight: 265
• Position: DL
• College: York University
• Professional Team: San Diego Strike Force (IFL)
• Twitter: @skyekiing
Tell us about your hometown. What do you like most about it?
I was born and raised in Buffalo, NY until I moved in with my father, and we moved to Calgary, AB Canada. After spending significant time in both cities, I’ve grown to appreciate the gritty blue collar work ethic both places produce, and I try to embody those characteristics in my game on and off the field.
I’m also of Native American descent from the Seneca and Ojibwe tribes. I’ve spent time living on both reserves, the Seneca’s reside on the Cattaraugus Reservation located in Irving, NY about 30 minutes south of Buffalo and the Ojbwe’s reside on Christian Island about 3 hours north of Toronto. Having to make the constant cultural jumps between living on the reserve and living in the city has been a major eye opener to just how different ones life path can change dependant on where you’re from and who you surround yourself with. The amount of poverty and people in these communities struggling motivates and drives me to continue to make not only a better life for myself and my family, but as well as these communities.
What do your teammates say is your best quality?
I’ve had a very close teammate and friend describe my best quality as my drive, and when I set my eyes on a goal I don’t stop until I’ve reached it. With teammates seeing that in me I make it my mission every time I step on the field or in the gym to have the highest motor and to be relentless no matter what adversity I’m faced with.
What kind of role do you see yourself in on the team? What scheme and/or position suits your skill set?
I see myself ready to contribute to a team in any way possible, whether that be on special teams or anywhere along the defensive front. I’m motivated to work hard towards any job given to me and, as a defensive lineman, I believe I am a versatile & athletic enough to contribute at any position on the interior or on the edge.
Who is the best player you have ever played against?
I’ve played against quite a few star players ranging back to high school at Notre Dame. I’d have to say my top guys are probably Chuba Hubbard or Dwayne Haskins.
Throughout your career so far, which one of your teammates has impressed you the most?
I’ve been very blessed to be surrounded with amazing talent all my career but I’ve been most impressed with my high school teammate Amen Ogbongbemiga. He’s grown into an amazing player and I’m happy to see him doing his thing at Oklahoma State.
Describe a time in your life when you were able to overcome a struggle.
I’ve constantly been overcoming struggle all my life so it’s become a second nature, but most recently this past July my family of 6 and I went through the awful experience of a house fire that left us with virtually nothing after. I received the news while I was on a plane to participate in the Spring League and in recent memory that was the hardest struggle to overcome, to be able to go out and play football clear minded and at a high level for 3 days while you’re worried sick about your family. That was a major mental thing I had to get by to continue chasing my dream and get film at the biggest showcase in my career up to that time. Thanks to the support of family we were able to get through it together and since then things have started getting better.
If you didn’t play football, what other sport would you play?
If I weren’t playing football I would be trying my hand in MMA for sure.
What is something that you are most proud of? What would you say is your biggest achievement?
I think something I’m most proud of in regards to personal achievements, would be winning a gold medal with Team Canada in China back in 2016 against Team USA. The whole experience from meeting other countries to touring around Harbin was the experience of a lifetime.
Describe one of the most memorable plays of your collegiate career?
I played in a game this year where we had to get the offence off the field at the end of the game on 3rd down (4th down in the US) for their last play of the game to come back and win. I had called a stunt of my own that had worked previously in the game when we ran it, and it worked to perfection when we ran it again and I came completely clean off the edge to swat the ball and seal the teams first win in over a year and a bit.
Do you have a favorite athlete or professional team? Is there a player that you model your game after?
I’d have to say one of my favorite athletes of all time has to be Mike Tyson. Something about the intimidation he possessed over others and the violence he fought with makes him one of my favorites. I try to model my game after Aaron Donald though, he exemplifies everything it is to be a dominant defensive lineman, even as a “undersized” lineman. He puts together the explosiveness, fast feet, and violent hands all together on top of being very intelligent with his moves.
Who is your favorite music artist? What gets you pumped before a game?
I’ve got quite a few favorites and its always changing but Meek Mill is definitely a go-to. Listening to “Dreams and Nightmares” never fails to get me in the right mindset.
What is your favorite comfort food?
Easily has to be a good steak dinner!
Do you have a favorite movie or actor?
I grew up on Fast and Furious movies, all time favorite series.
What do you do in your spare time? Do you have any hobbies?
Spare time doesn’t come too often aside from football related activities. I like to keep myself busy with some digital media work though. I’ve recently gotten into videography and it’s been a great creative outlet. On top of that I’ve recently been trying my hand at becoming an entrepreneur and I’m preparing to start my own meal prep business geared towards athletes, as well as, everyday fitness oriented consumers.
Who or what motivates you the most?
My family motivates me the most, more specifically my siblings motivate me the most. I have 5 sisters and 1 brother between my mother and father, and I’m the oldest of them all. In everything that I do, I do it so that my little brother and sisters can have a role model to look up to and be proud of. I grew up in places that often lacked strong support systems so it is very important to me that my siblings can have someone who can be that person for them.
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