Devon Walker
Personal information
Born: (1990-11-29) November 29, 1990 (age 33)
New Orleans, Louisiana
Height:6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:173 lb (78 kg)
Career information
High school:Destrehan (LA) Destrehan High School
College:Tulane
Position:Safety
Undrafted:2013
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only

Devon Walker (born November 29, 1990) is an American former college football player. He was playing at Tulane University when he was paralyzed from the neck down during a college game following a collision with a teammate. He signed a one-day contract with the New Orleans Saints in May 2014.

Background

Walker grew up in the New Orleans suburb of Destrehan and graduated from Destrehan High School.[1] He attended Tulane University in New Orleans, where he graduated in May 2014 with a degree in cell and molecular biology.[2]

Walker is now in pursuit of his Master’s degree in Neuroscience.

Injury

Walker was injured on September 8, 2012[1] during a game against Tulsa[3] when he collided with a Tulane teammate and injured his C4 vertebrae. He was paralyzed from the neck down.[2] He was a senior at Tulane at the time.[4]

Signing

In May 2014, the New Orleans Saints surprised Walker when they signed him and welcomed him to their rookie minicamp. Devon was signed to a one-day NFL contract as an honorary member of the New Orleans Saints.

As coach Sean Payton said, “He is an outstanding young man, who is not only an inspiration to his coaches and teammates at Tulane, but to all of us. Devon’s character, determination, intelligence and work ethic are everything that we look for in a New Orleans Saint when we sign a player.”[2]

References

  1. ^ a b Dennis, Alicia C. "Devon Walker, Paralyzed in College Football Game, Signed by New Orleans Saints". People Magazine. Retrieved 16 July 2014.
  2. ^ a b c Smith, Michael David. "Saints sign paralyzed former Tulane player Devon Walker". Profootball Talk. Retrieved 16 July 2014.
  3. ^ Tyler, Brooke. "New Orleans Saints Sign Paralyzed Former Tulane Safety Devon Walker". Beach Report. Retrieved 16 July 2014.
  4. ^ Juozapavicius, Justin; Hines, Rochelle. "Devon Walker Injury: Tulane Safety Taken Off Field In Ambulance After Collision Against Tulsa (VIDEO)". Huffington Post. Retrieved 16 July 2014.
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