Kenny Walker Biography - Chronology, Named Defensive Player Of The Year, Joined Denver Broncos, Awards And Accomplishments, Career Statistics
football deaf field calgary
1967-
American football player
When football player Kenny Walker made his professional debut in the early 1990s, he became the first deaf player in the National Football League (NFL) in nearly twenty years. A defensive lineman with the Denver Broncos in 1991 and 1992, Walker became a hero among the hearing-impaired with his against-theodds success story. The 6-foot-4-inch, 260-pound player picked up his defensive calls by reading other players' lips, and distinguished himself on the playing field with a strong performance. After two years with the Broncos, Walker joined the Calgary Stampeders, becoming the first deaf player in the history of the Canadian Football League (CFL).
Born on April 6, 1967, in Crane, Texas, Kenny Walker was the youngest of six children born to a cafeteria-worker mother and an oil-field worker father. He was two years old when he contracted spinal meningitis, which left him deprived of his ability to hear. While his family helped him with his disability, his two older brothers, Darren and Gus, made sure their little brother did not fall prey to self-pity. "If I was pouting, or wanting sympathy, they'd deck me," Walker told Tom Keyser of the Calgary Herald.
After young Walker's parents separated, his mother relocated with her children to Denver, Colorado. Here Walker attended a deaf program at the University of Denver. A natural athlete, he played street sports with friends, and made the football team as a starter in the tenth grade. As a defensive end and split end, he was a fast, capable player who excelled on the field. Upon graduation from high school he was offered a football scholarship from the University of Nebraska.
Sketch by Wendy Kagan
User Comments
about 2 years ago
I love kenny Walker im doing a project on him and he is extremely interesting.
I LOVE YOU KENNY
over 3 years ago
a. cole
I don't know about attending the U of Denver program but as his teacher in elementary and high school I can tell you, Kenny was a student in the Denver Public Schools hearing-impaired department from second grade til his first year or two of high school.
about 2 years ago
Billy Thomson
I'm doing a project on him.
about 4 years ago
this is a inspiring story for anyone in the sports leauge and i hope he continues to spread along his greatness
about 2 years ago
Kenny Walker has got to be the most interesting person i have ever researched.
about 1 year ago
Edward Purifoy
I just want to say for a man to play in the NFL and deaf is out standing. You made a big impact to my life and the world because you just showed that anything can be possible, as long as you put you best foot forward. Congrats on having an outstanding life.
about 2 years ago
Aquestria Rossiter
when did Kenny Walker Die???
over 1 year ago
Adri
I want to have him as a guest speaker for our school does anyone know how to get contact with him???? ASAP!!
about 1 year ago
Sandra
Kenny graduated high school from Crane, TX...he was a couple of years ahead of me in school - a gifted athlete & an inspiration to everyone he ever met.
over 2 years ago
jennifer elliott
Hi.. My name is Jennifer Elliott and i am so proud to hear about kenny walker. he is the best of the best football player. which i don't like nbraska i like iowa hawk eyes more than anything.. but that won't Mr. walker from doig whats the best for him.. He has taught me so much fo about 2 or 3 years. i just wanted to say thaks ad wishig you the best of luck..
over 1 year ago
kenny walker is my cousin
about 2 years ago
PPPPOOOOOOPPP
over 1 year ago
Precious
I am doing my famous deaf project on him
over 1 year ago
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i'm doing project on kenny walk "famus deaf footbal player"!!!!!!!!!
over 1 year ago
he pee on me
over 1 year ago
kenny walker is my best friend and he is my asome
about 2 years ago
Kenny Walker SUCKS
about 2 years ago
i am very happy to learn bout girls
9 months ago
well kenny walker used to live in wichita ks.
he was having a hard time finding a job. he was thinking of working for other deaf students.
where is he now?
and i want to say, hi kenny, how is your wife.. remember u used to live behind me on macarthur.. i still have your picture
9 months ago
kenny walker used to be my neighbor and didnt know it until another neighbor told me, he is a big as he look on the football field , in person . he gave me a singned picture of them and then i had him resign it, so double signed. he was very polite and very respectful
about 1 year ago
Edward Purifoy
I just want to say for a man to play in the NFL and deaf is out standing. You made a big impact to my life and the world because you just showed that anything can be possible, as long as you put you best foot forward. Congrats on having an outstanding life.
over 1 year ago
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over 1 year ago
poop
over 1 year ago
I'm also doing a Project on Him.!!(:
over 1 year ago
heyy this sucks
over 2 years ago
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