New Miami Hurricanes quarterback D’Eriq King’s father died Saturday
New University of Miami quarterback D’Eriq King, a graduate transfer out of Houston, posted a very sad Twitter message about his father Eric King, who died on Saturday.
The football coach of King’s alma mater Manvel (Texas) High School, Kevin Hall, told the Miami Herald by phone Sunday that he and other Manvel coaches learned through a group text late Saturday afternoon that Eric King had passed. He said the cause of death at that point hadn’t been revealed.
More than one UM assistant coach, as well as people connected to the family in the Houston area, have tweeted out prayers and support to D’Eriq. UM does not typically refer to news regarding a player’s family.
“I came to Manvel in the spring of his senior year,’’ Hall said. “I got to know him and his dad very well. We cried for him. I know his dad was his hero.
“De’Eriq is one of the finest human beings you’ll ever meet. I’ll reach out to him later [Sunday]. I can’t imagine what he’s going through.’’
Our prayers go out to D’Eriq at this very sad and trying time, a crossroads of his life in many ways.
The Hurricanes are in the middle of offseason workouts and will begin spring football practice Feb. 29 on campus in Coral Gables.
“You instilled confidence in me,’’ D’Eriq began in his Twitter post. “You taught me everything I know about the game you brought the dog out of me when I was 4 years old! you always had my back through anything. I could always count on you to hold me down!
“The way you loved your family and your will to do anything for us was second to none. The way you loved my mom showed me what pure love was.. I looked up to you.. I never wanted to let you down...
“I got to spend 22 years with you and I want to thank you for being there every step of the way! love you forever..I promise to make you proud for the rest of my life! I GOT US,’’ D’Eriq concluded, adding an emoji of praying hands.
King seems like a mature young man. He spoke to the Miami media for the first time Feb. 5 on National Signing Day.
“I have a pretty big family and a strong family behind me,’’ King said that day. “I love everybody to death in my family.’’
King, one of the most prolific quarterbacks in college football who was with Houston the previous four seasons, said his goal is “to win as many games as possible. ...Obviously, I know the history behind this program. I know where it’s been. I know where coach [Manny] Diaz and everybody is trying to get it back to.
“I only have one year left. My ultimate goal is to 12-0 this year. ...I’m going to do everything to help my teammates.’’
Hall, who also serves as Manvel High’s athletic director, said he last saw King and his father “over Christmas break throwing the ball around at our field with some young high school kids. All the kids looked up to him.”
Here’s a timeline of the younger King’s “key moments,” published by the Houston Chronicle, leading up to his announcement that he was transferring.
“@UHouston will always be home to the KING family,’’ Dana Holgorsen, D’Eriq’s former coach at Houston, tweeted, accompanied by praying hands.
This story was originally published February 16, 2020 at 8:42 AM.
