Iowa's Desmond King wins Jim Thorpe Award

PHOTO by MD

Iowa CB #14 Desmond King received the Jim Thorpe Trophy Thursday night in Atlanta as the best defensive back for the 2015 season. King is a former player at DET East English Village H.S., and played in Detroit/PAL for the DET West Side Cubs.

The way Desmond King handled winning the 2015 Jim Thorpe Award was as impressive as the season his Iowa Hawkeyes (12-1) have had this year. The team celebrated winning the West Division of the BIG TEN and a trip to the championship game vs. MSU.

When his name was called, King hugged his mom and brother before heading to the stage. Dressed in a black tuxedo, he answered questions from the ESPN MC as sharp as his attire. Thoughtfully, Desmond remembered to thank his mom, family, high school coach Rod Oden (in attendance), and an Iowa asst. coach. Then he reflected on stepping into a leadership role this season, and finally thanked the Thorpe family.

DK also won the Jack Tatum Award along with a few others and will be on everyone's all-american team. The NFL will be calling him for a job that's for sure. Yet King is on the record saying he will be back to play his senoir year.

Rod Oden was Desmond's high school coach at DET East English Village H.S. He says King is on track to receive two degrees from Iowa in the next twelve months, but given his present status returning next year just may not be feasible.

Desmond King has maximized his time at Iowa on the field and in the classroom. His polish shines a bright light on his mom, his family, Detroit Public Schools and Detroit/PAL. King is a class act, and a beacon for all aspiring student/athletes.