Jake King on SEN ...
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The push-up King gave it everythingJoshua Papanikolaou
SEN
11.23AM 29-7-2014For a full-time tradesman and hard-nosed VFL footballer simply being drafted into the AFL was a massive achievement for Jake King.
Now seven years on and 107 games played the Richmond small forward is retiring from the game knowing full well he gave everything he had to make a dream come true.
“Working six-days a week before being drafted and already being behind the eight ball playing in the VFL you had to get your fitness and strength up to the AFL standard without having the facilities.
“I’m actually not that flash of a footballer, I’ve made a career out of playing a game I’m not really that good at,” King said frankly on The Run Home.
The decision was not made lightly by the 30 year-old who made several attempts to fix a deteriorating big toe that would not allow him to play unless career-ending surgery was performed.
“As a footballer there comes a time where you know your time is up and mine is.
“I’ve gotten the best out of myself and we tried to come back this year even up to the last week but I spoke to the doctors and they said there is no more they can do for it.”
King will be remembered for his toughness on the field but even he could not continue to cope with the amount of strain on his banged-up body.
“It got to the point where you get out of bed in the morning and the first two steps that you take you’re in a bit of pain so I thought enough was enough.”
http://www.sen.com.au/display-article-2013/The-pushup-King-gave-it-everything/70909