NFL franchise Kansas City Chiefs’ recent acquisition wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling started from the bottom before making it to the top of the NFL. As a freshman in college, Valdes-Scantling was cut from his high school team because he wasn’t playing well enough to make the team. However, after putting in the work, he has made changes within himself and his game to be in his current situation.

During his introductory press conference, Valdes-Scantling did recall the moments from his life that have led him to Kansas City. While answering a question about his high school disappointment, he states, “Just believing in myself. Obviously, as a freshman (in high school), I wasn’t good enough to make the team. I had to take accountability, stop pointing the finger at everybody else… Once I did that and used that as self-motivation…I took that and ran with it… I think it has paid off for me.”

The former Packers WR was a three-star recruit coming out of high school, did have visits from seven teams before he went to NC State.

More from new Chiefs’ WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling about getting cut from high school team and why he hyphenates his last name, making it hard not to root for him:

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 25, 2022

Valdes-Scantling transferred back home to the University of South Florida after he did fail at breaking through to make their roster. After deciding to sit out the 2015 college football season following his transfer, he finally broke out with the Buffalo Bulls in 2016 and 2017.

What can Marquez Valdes-Scantling bring to the Chiefs’ offense?

While Valdes-Scantling does not possess the accolades and statistics, he does have the speed that the Chiefs might find attractive. He did sign a 3-year, $30 million deal, as he was a replacement for the departure of star WR Tyreek Hill to the Miami Dolphins. While discussing how the trade happened, Valdes reveals that he was constantly in touch with Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes.

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Valdes-Scantling does consider the opportunity to work with Mahomes as quite life-changing and something he couldn’t pass on. He also took the presence of head coach Andy Reid as one of the other driving factors behind his decision to join the Chiefs.

During his presser, the wideout appears motivated to prove that he belongs with the team internally. He stated that the doubts placed on his abilities have only motivated him to perform and be the best version of himself. Valdes-Scantling seems to be on a mission to show that the Chiefs‘ belief in him is not unwarranted every time he takes the field.

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