AUBURN, Ala. – Had recruiting rankings and social media existed in 1988, Ed King would have been a five-star prospect.
King, the third player in program history to be named an All-American as a sophomore, was honored Saturday at Jordan-Hare Stadium for being selected as Auburn's 2023 SEC Football Legend.
"It's awesome," King said on the sidelines of Pat Dye Field after receiving his recognition. "I always love coming back home. This is my second home. Phenix City, of course, is my first home, but Auburn University – this is my second home. I love it."
King, a two-time First Team All-American and unanimous selection in 1990, helped Auburn win back-to-back SEC titles in 1988 and 1989 when the Tigers posted consecutive 10-win seasons for the first time in program history. The guard twice earned First Team All-SEC honors and was a consensus All-American in 1990 before getting drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the second round in 1991.
"Playing under Coach Pat Dye, every day when you get up, are you going to win or are you going to lose?" King recalled. "Coach Dye was competitive. We would compete every day, and that's life. You're competing every day."
'You're competing every day': Auburn All-American Ed King (1988-90)
Glancing around the stadium, seeing a sea of Auburn fans decked out in orange, reminded King of why he chose to attend Auburn.
"The family," King said. "The Auburn spirit. It was like this 30 or 40 years ago and it's like this now."
In addition to his SEC Legend recognition, King also earned a spot on the 2024 College Football Hall of Fame ballot along with former Auburn All-Americans Takeo Spikes and Gregg Carr. The Class of '24 will be announced in January.
"It makes an old man like me feel good," King said. "I'm not big on accolades, but to get them, I'm not going to give them back. I love it."
Throughout the decades since he wore the orange and blue, King has continued to closely follow his alma mater, eager to see which current Tigers achieve their own legendary status.
"These kids are going to be our future guys down the road who take my spot," King said.
After playing 10 seasons of professional football in the NFL, Canadian Football League and NFL Europe, King worked in sales and marketing before transitioning to high school teaching and coaching.
These days, he's enjoying retirement with his fiancé, Brandi Hatcher, in Smyrna, Georgia, making for a short commute to downtown Atlanta where King will be honored at the 2023 SEC Football "Weekend of Champions" December 1-2.
King and his fellow 2023 honorees will be celebrated at the annual SEC Legends Celebration Dec. 1 at the College Football Hall of Fame and the at the SEC Football Championship Game Dec. 3 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
SEC associate commissioner Herb Vincent congratulates Ed King
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jeff_shearer