Kenny Walker (American football)
Encyclopedia
Kenny Wayne Walker is a former defensive lineman for the Denver Broncos
.
The youngest of six children, at the age of two, Walker became profoundly deaf from a bout with meningitis
. He is one of only two deaf players in the history of the National Football League
. (The other, Bonnie Sloan
, played in the 1970s.)
Walker starred at the University of Nebraska, playing in the Senior Bowl
in January 1991. At his final home game at Nebraska, the capacity crowd showed their appreciation for Walker by signing
"applause" to him in unison. Three months after the Senior Bowl, the Broncos selected him in the eighth round (200th overall) of the 1991 NFL Draft
.
He emerged as a regular for the Broncos in 1991
, playing in all 16 games. The following year
, he started in all but one of the team's games, but his career ended after that.
Walker published an autobiography “Roar of Silence: The Kenny Walker Story” in 1998, and also has a chapter dedicated to him in the book "Great Deaf Americans."
Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
.
The youngest of six children, at the age of two, Walker became profoundly deaf from a bout with meningitis
Meningitis
Meningitis is inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, known collectively as the meninges. The inflammation may be caused by infection with viruses, bacteria, or other microorganisms, and less commonly by certain drugs...
. He is one of only two deaf players in the history of the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
. (The other, Bonnie Sloan
Bonnie Sloan
Bonnie Ryan Sloan was the first deaf football player in National Football League history.Sloan played four games at defensive tackle for the St. Louis Cardinals in the 1973 season....
, played in the 1970s.)
Walker starred at the University of Nebraska, playing in the Senior Bowl
Senior Bowl
The Senior Bowl is a post-season college football exhibition game played in Mobile, Alabama which showcases the best NFL Draft prospects of those collegiate players who have completed their eligibility. First played in 1950 in Jacksonville, Florida, the game moved to Mobile's Ladd Peebles Stadium...
in January 1991. At his final home game at Nebraska, the capacity crowd showed their appreciation for Walker by signing
Signing
Signing may refer to:* Using sign language* Signature, placing one's name on a document* Signature * Manual communication, signing as a form of communication using the hands in place of the voice...
"applause" to him in unison. Three months after the Senior Bowl, the Broncos selected him in the eighth round (200th overall) of the 1991 NFL Draft
1991 NFL Draft
The 1991 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held April 21–22, 1991 at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in Manhattan, New York...
.
He emerged as a regular for the Broncos in 1991
1991 NFL season
The 1991 NFL season was the 72nd regular season of the National Football League. The season ended with Super Bowl XXVI when the Washington Redskins defeated the Buffalo Bills....
, playing in all 16 games. The following year
1992 NFL season
The 1992 NFL season was the 73rd regular season of the National Football League.Due to the damage caused by Hurricane Andrew, the New England Patriots–Miami Dolphins game that was scheduled for September 6 at Joe Robbie Stadium was rescheduled to October 18. Both teams originally had that...
, he started in all but one of the team's games, but his career ended after that.
Walker published an autobiography “Roar of Silence: The Kenny Walker Story” in 1998, and also has a chapter dedicated to him in the book "Great Deaf Americans."