Kansas City Chiefs fans all over the globe erupted when Marquez Reshard Valdes-Scantling made a touchdown catch that helped clinch a 23-20 win over the Cincinnati Bengals in last Sunday’s AFC Championship.
But it was in his parents’ home in St. Petersburg, Florida, where the range of emotions was most fierce. Marcellus and Tahisia Scantling say “Pride, joy, praise and worship” were part of the wave of emotions they felt that evening.
Marquez is one of a proud lineage of pro football players from St. Petersburg who have competed in the game’s ultimate match up.
He was born and raised in St. Pete and is among nearly a dozen pro athletes groomed under the Lakewood Spartans head football coach, Cory Moore.
In fact, Marquez and three other young men in the same high school graduating class made their way to the NFL after training together in football and track. The others were Rodney Adams and twins Shaquem and Shaquill Griffin.
As seniors at Lakewood, the four-pack set a record in the 4 x 100 relay race. Earlier that year, Marquez recorded 50 receptions for 800 receiving yards and 14 receiving touchdowns.
Stardom didn’t come easy for Marquez, though. His mother Tahisia recalls, “He was always the underdog, so to speak, even in little league. Marquez was never in the star spotlight on any of his teams, but he was always willing to work hard, and excelling in football was always his dream.”
Marcellus remembers one coach telling him that Marquez would never be more than a lineman. Marquez nearly threw in the towel then, but dad said otherwise. He advised his son, “Take that hurt and make it fire that fuels you.”
“Marquez practiced extremely hard,” said mom. “When everybody else stopped, he would keep going and going. And with every chance he got, Marquez gave his best shot.”
Marquez used that “fire” to get through college at North Carolina State and University of South Florida, where he earned a degree in communications in 2017. He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in round five of the 2018 NFL Draft.
After an up-and-down four years with the Packers, Marquez signed-on with the Chiefs in 2022 for a three-year deal worth $30 million.
His third quarter 19-yard touchdown reception last Sunday gave Marquez what one sportswriter described as “the game of his life,” and helped seal a victory for the Chiefs that takes them to Super Bowl 57 next week.
“It made it all worth it,“ said Marquez, who credits his parents and broader St. Pete community for supporting him through all the obstacles.
When asked what advice he would give to dreamers here at home, Marquez’s message was simple: “Never give up. Stay committed to what you believe you can achieve. Put in that extra effort that makes the difference.”
Off the field, Marquez is cultivating a career in business. He and three other Lakewood High alumni created the Sik Selection line of elite sportswear. Marquez parlayed the experience to purchase a screen-printing company called Craft-Tee where he sells customized apparel. He is in the process of opening his headquarters on U.S. 19 north in St. Petersburg.
The 27-year old wide receiver is collaborating with his mom and dad on real estate ventures that include multi-family rental development and property management.
Tahisia is a former business lender and long-time realtor who today owns Right Turn Realty, a commercial brokerage firm. She currently serves on the board of the Pinellas Realtors Association and on the Advisory Council for Sankofa on the Deuces (a commercial development on the historic 22nd Street South). In 2022, she served on the City of St. Pete redistricting commission.
Marcellus is an engineer with over 20 years in the industry. He’s coached football at Lakewood High for 10 years and is active in civic and community life. He enjoys mentoring youth on and off the football field. Tahisia calls him a God-fearing man and an “amazing father.”
Marquez, a fifth-generation St. Pete native, stays connected here at home. His annual Day of Love project has distributed care packages to over 250 homeless individuals, providing blankets, clothing items, backpacks, toiletries and other.
Mom and dad will attend the big game in Glendale, Arizona, on February 12th. In St. Pete, watch party central will be at Glory Days Grill (9900 4th Street, Florida), long-time gathering spot for die-hard Chiefs fans in the area.
Coach Moore says he will definitely be watching. “Marquez is an amazing young man who is super respectful, passionate and has a desire to be the best version of himself,” said Moore. “We are absolutely proud of him and will continue to lift him up in our prayers.”
More About Marquez
Family: In addition to mom and dad, Marquez has 2 brothers (Antuan Butler and Marcellus Scantling, Jr.), and adores his two dogs, Ace and Spade. Ace is a Pomsky (a Husky and Pomeranian mix) and Spade is a Husky.
Favorite Pastimes: Videogaming and hanging out with his nephew Aiyden, noting that he will never stop loving his other nephew Kaidon, who is with them in spirit (Aiyden and Kaidon are the sons of Marquez’s brother, Marcellus).
Favorite Food: Marquez has a major sweet tooth; his favorite dessert is his grandmother’s pistachio cake.
Community Life: Marquez is a former Sunday school teacher (teaching 3- and 4-year-olds) at Radiant Church in Tampa. Over the years, he and his family have volunteered Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas & Pasco and many other organizations. For Marquez’s upcoming Day of Love project to support the homeless, he is partnering with his brother Antuan’s 9 Colors Initiative. To learn more or support, please call 800-867-5503.
