FITZGERALD, Ga. (WALB) - Tyson King has made a name for himself at Fitzgerald High School on the football field and in the classroom. This fall, the senior will take that work ethic to Fort Valley State University, where he plans to play college football.

King, a Valdosta State Scholar-Athlete honoree, said his drive traces back to time spent working alongside his grandfather.

“Even when I was young, I worked really hard,” King said. “I would spend hours with my Papa and we would work on stuff. He used to have a farm. After work hours, I would spend hours doing stuff like just working out, playing football with my cousins, doing stuff like that. I kinda knew I was gonna get good at some point — just had to keep working.”

‘It felt like home’

King said a campus visit to Fort Valley State helped seal his decision.

“When I went on a visit, there was a little player panel where I got to talk to all the players,” King said. “They made it feel like home. That’s what drew me in — It felt like home.”

Carrying a legacy

King said he hopes to honor his grandfather’s legacy in the Fitzgerald community. His grandfather was active in the NAACP and was a prominent figure in the city.

“I wanna leave a legacy first to my Papa,” King said. “He was a big Black guy in the community that helped out with everything. He was a big church guy. As for the legacy of Fitzgerald, we don’t have many guys who go play in college and play in the league, so I just want to do everything I can for the city to leave a legacy.”

King plans to major in education at Fort Valley State and said he hopes to one day coach football as an offensive coordinator.

Congratulations to Tyson King for being recognized as this week’s Valdosta State Scholar Athlete!

If you know an outstanding student-athlete, click here to nominate them.

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