Mavric Posted March 26, 2014 Share Posted March 26, 2014 Nice article on Kenny Walker: Kenny Walker, now an assistant coach with the Highlands Ranch track team, was a two-year starter for the University of Nebraska football team in the late 1980s. Even though he’s a Denver native, he picked the Cornhuskers because they had what most schools didn’t — a program for the deaf. “They have very good deaf access there, and it was back in the 1980s, and it wasn’t an easy step for me,” Walker said. “You know most (schools) don’t have interpreters and they were willing to provide me with one.” Walker has been profoundly deaf since age 2. He lost his hearing when he contracted spinal meningitis. Since then he’s only been able to hear noises over 110 decibels. When he played his final home game at Nebraska in 1990 against Colorado, Cornhusker fans made sure Walker knew he was appreciated — not by trying to cheer loudly — but rather by using the sing language gesture for cheering. “I didn’t realize how supportive Nebraska was. I didn’t know how big the people were supporting me,” he said. “It was very special. To have that, deaf and hard of hearing, knowing we could succeed, it’s not easy for me, but I did succeed.” Quote Link to comment
StPaulHusker Posted March 26, 2014 Share Posted March 26, 2014 Nice article on Kenny Walker: Kenny Walker, now an assistant coach with the Highlands Ranch track team, was a two-year starter for the University of Nebraska football team in the late 1980s. Even though he’s a Denver native, he picked the Cornhuskers because they had what most schools didn’t — a program for the deaf. “They have very good deaf access there, and it was back in the 1980s, and it wasn’t an easy step for me,” Walker said. “You know most (schools) don’t have interpreters and they were willing to provide me with one.” Walker has been profoundly deaf since age 2. He lost his hearing when he contracted spinal meningitis. Since then he’s only been able to hear noises over 110 decibels. When he played his final home game at Nebraska in 1990 against Colorado, Cornhusker fans made sure Walker knew he was appreciated — not by trying to cheer loudly — but rather by using the sing language gesture for cheering. “I didn’t realize how supportive Nebraska was. I didn’t know how big the people were supporting me,” he said. “It was very special. To have that, deaf and hard of hearing, knowing we could succeed, it’s not easy for me, but I did succeed.” That right there is why we do have the greatest fans. Quote Link to comment
AZRaiderH8r Posted March 26, 2014 Share Posted March 26, 2014 I will never forget seeing that on TV (I think it was senior day or something), and how incredible that moment was. It was so quiet in the stadium with all of the fans signing their cheers for him. Definitely a proud moment as a Husker fan. Quote Link to comment
Foppa Posted March 26, 2014 Share Posted March 26, 2014 Always wondered where he went. The fans did that on more than that one occasion. Glad he's doing well. Quote Link to comment
Mavric Posted March 26, 2014 Author Share Posted March 26, 2014 Always wondered where he went. The fans did that on more than that one occasion. Glad he's doing well. I think they did that every time he made a good play. At least towards the end of his career anyway. Quote Link to comment
AZRaiderH8r Posted March 26, 2014 Share Posted March 26, 2014 Yep, I remember them doing that when he made a good play. But I remember a time that must have been his last home game, when he was announced individually and ran out on the field, and the place was completely quiet. The TV showed the fans signing their cheers, and it was an incredible moment. Quote Link to comment
caveman99 Posted March 27, 2014 Share Posted March 27, 2014 Yep, I remember them doing that when he made a good play. But I remember a time that must have been his last home game, when he was announced individually and ran out on the field, and the place was completely quiet. The TV showed the fans signing their cheers, and it was an incredible moment. Yeah that memory is one I will always remember as well. It was against CU and it was Senior day. That day was bad weather and it was the day of the big comeback by Eric Birnemy and co. I was crushed afterwards. Quote Link to comment
I am I Posted March 29, 2014 Share Posted March 29, 2014 What is the "sign for a cheer"? Just curious. Quote Link to comment
Mavric Posted March 29, 2014 Author Share Posted March 29, 2014 What is the "sign for a cheer"? Just curious. Since he obviously couldn't hear claps and cheers, it was some sort of wave. Can't remember exactly.... Quote Link to comment
huKSer Posted March 29, 2014 Share Posted March 29, 2014 What is the "sign for a cheer"? Just curious. Two hands up into the air. and you rotate your wrists back and forth. http://www.signingsavvy.com/sign/CLAPPING/7951/1 Quote Link to comment
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