ESPN
Former Tulane University football student-athlete Devon Walker will share a personal milestone with the sports world this weekend. This Saturday (Sept. 7) marks the one-year anniversary of a hit during the Green Wave's second game at Tulsa that left the then-senior captain paralyzed from the neck down.
Shadowed by a film crew from ESPN, Devon Walker attends the Green Wave's home opener. (Photo by Paula Burch-Celentano)
A native of nearby Destrehan, La., Walker returned to the classroom last week for the first time in more than a year. He also was on the sidelines for Tulane's 34-7 season-opening win over Jackson State on Thursday (Aug. 29) at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
On Tuesday (Sept. 3) during his weekly press conference, Tulane head football coach Curtis Johnson talked about what an inspiration Walker is to him personally, as well as the Green Wave football team.
“What strikes me the most when reflecting on it is that there is something bigger than football,” Johnson stated. “Football is such a large part of our lives here, but this young man's life changed. And then, how courageous he is in what he does daily. You can't fathom what he and his family go through all the time. Sometimes it's heartbreaking, but sometimes I rejoice because he's so positive."
Walker is just 30 hours shy of completing his cell and molecular biology degree and is currently enrolled in nine hours this semester.
Click here for more information on Walker's an recovery.
Roger Dunaway is assistant athletics director for athletics communications.
