Wham!
The sidelines erupted as 6’3′, 230 pound Mallorca Voltors linebacker Kadel King slammed into the Murcia Cobras ball carrier, sending him flying in Spain’s opening weekend of play in mid December. The play brought the quiet stadium to life as the loud sounds of pads smacking could be heard from one end of the field to the other.
This was not the fierce linebacker’s first big hit of 2020.
For the 25-year-old Brit, the Voltors, playing in Spain’s top league, are his third team of 2020. He arrived in Spain after playing for the Bydgoszcz Archers in Poland and after helping the Kuopio Steelers capture Finland’s Maple League championship. During his time in Kuopio, King was the named a Maple League All-Star, and led the team in tackles. He was an integral part of a Steelers championship defense that simply dominated opposing offenses, holding opponents to under 17 points per game.
“The season in Kuopio was one to remember! That Landshark brotherhood with AJ Wentland and Semmie Radji that was formed was one of a kind and to cap that of with Kuopio’s first championship was a special feeling!”
Kadel King in discussion with assistant coach Gawin Campbell while playing for the Bydgoszcz Archers Photo: Juwel
Before his whirlwind 2020 season, King was part of two German Football League teams in 2018 and 2019, playing for the Potsdam Royals and Frankfurt Universe. After his phenomenal 2019 season in Frankfurt, which included 75 tackles and 20 tackles for a loss, the London native was invited to the NFL International Player Pathway Combine as well as the CFL Global Combine.
“I had participated it a private workout the year before, so I had an idea of what I was getting into when the international combine came around. I had just finished my season with Frankfurt a couple weeks before so I was pretty beat up from the season but I went out and did the best I could with the time I had to prepare. I enjoyed the whole experience and seeing some of the best athletes from all over the world inspired me to keep pushing and to get better “
The well traveled King also spent four seasons playing football in Canada.
After playing for the Bristol Academy Pride and Kent Exiles in the UK, King flew to Canada to chase his football dreams. A year with the Canada Prep Academy led to three seasons studying and playing at St. Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia, Canada. As part of the X-Men, the foreign linebacker made an immediate impact starting all three seasons and totaling 104 tackles for his career there. King was hoping to turn pro in the Canadian Football League but was disappointed to find out he was ineligible for the CFL Draft.
“My decision to attend a Canadian college was based of being told I could get drafted into the CFL. After my third year I had found out that the advice I had been given was incorrect and I wasn’t draft eligible. Instead of giving up, I decided that the best step for me was to go back to Europe and play there. The decision was a late one and I signed to Potsdam in February.”
Kadel King was a key part of the Kuopio Steelers Finnish championship title Photo: Jari Turunen
Returning to Europe has proven to be a good decision on King’s as he has been part of outstanding teams in four different countries now. His future football goals are to continue to push himself as a playing and inspire others.
For the next few months, he will be flying sideline to sideline making plays for the Mallorca Voltors defense. Once the Spanish season is over, who knows what team in Europe will benefit from his skills. No matter where he lands though, he definitely plans to have an impact and to influence others.
“When I started playing at Exiles, no one expected me to do the things I’ve done and it was my self belief that’s taken me so far. I plan to continue to break boundaries and limitations in my career. I also want to inspire and help young athletes in the UK break their boundaries.”