How about we change things up a bit and start off the day with something uplifting, inspirational and positively heartwarming? Yeah, didn’t think you’d mind.
In a classy move reminiscent of Eric LeGrand and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers a couple of years ago, the New Orleans Saints announced Saturday that they have signed former Tulane football player Devon Walker to an NFL contract. During a game against Tulsa in September of 2012, Walker suffered a severe spinal cord injury attempting to make a tackle and was paralyzed from the neck down.
Walker spent three months in the hospital before being released and returning to school at Tulane. In 2013, the former defensive back was named the recipient of the Disney Spirit Award.
Shortly after receiving his degree in cell and molecular biology Saturday afternoon, Walker was surprised by Saints head coach Sean Peyton with the contract from the club.
“When Devon got hurt, his football career was just starting to take off after three years of hard work,” Peyton said in a statement. “Despite the devastating injury he suffered, Devon refuses to let that define him.
“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. This is the least we can do to recognize Devon and these attributes that we want all of our players to have.”
Bravo, Sean Peyton and the New Orleans Saints. And God bless you, Devon Walker, for showing the sports world what it truly means to have heart and for the inspiration you have been and will continue to be.
(Photo credit: Tulane University)