The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/362774
REST IN PEACE, STEVE KING Dear The Wolverine: On June 27, 2014, the Michigan family suddenly lost a former foot- ball player, Steve King. Steve was a defensive back for Michigan in the early 1990s (1992-96), starting one year at strong safety. He wasn't the most known player on those teams, playing with Charles Woodson, Ty Law, Amani Toomer and Jarrett Irons, among others, but he was a good, consistent, solid player on those great Michigan defenses. I'm a huge Michigan fan and have been subscribing to The Wolverine for over 20 years. Even though I grew up in South Bend and my mother's family has had season tickets to Notre Dame football since the sta- dium opened and were huge sup- porters of the football program back in the day, I grew up a Michigan fan due to my father's side of the family hailing from Michigan. I graduated from Indiana University, but have still stayed a Michigan fan. During the fall, I watch every Michigan football game. In all my years of watching and cheering for Michigan football, I had never met a Michigan player personally until I met Steve. I met Steve in Chicago. He was good friends with one of my friends, former Northwestern cor- nerback Chris Martin. Steve and I instantly became friends (the Michi- gan connection helped!). He was one of the most genuine and nicest guys you would ever meet. He started playing basketball with my friends and I, as well as hanging out with us, the "regular" guys. Most of the people on the team weren't elite college athletes, but Steve still played with us, because that was who Steve was, a down-to- earth guy, who really enjoyed getting to know people, regardless of their background. Growing up a Michigan fan, I definitely had my favorite play- ers, but once I got to know Steve, he became my favorite. On June 27, I received word from Chris that Steve had passed away from a heart attack. I was shocked at the news, as Steve was still in good shape and only 40 years young. I still can't believe he was taken from all of us at such a young age. I hadn't seen him in a while, but he and I had exchanged texts recently and were planning on getting together for a beer, as well as heading to the ND-Michigan game together in Sep- tember. I was looking forward to get- ting that beer and going to the game, so we could discuss the next season of Michigan football and catch up on what was happening in our lives, es- pecially since both of us have a young child. Steve, we will have to get that beer sometime when we meet again. FROM OUR READERS Be Heard! Send your letters to: Wolverine Letters • P.O. Box 1304 Ann Arbor, MI 48106 Or e-mail: jborton@thewolverine.com Letters may be edited for clarity or length.