Husker Rewind

[Blackshirtsguru]

I think it would be fun from time to time to remember some of the players that have passed through Husker Land. Do any of you remember this monster? #57 Kenny Walker. In 1990 I was attending UNL and on Sr Day I seen one of the most memorable things in Memorial Stadium EVER. The entire stadium gave Kenny the silent ovation In case some of you didn't know, he was deaf. At first it seemed kind of eery and strange, but man it was an awesome sight to see. Some of you may not know that TO almost called it quits after the 1990 season. Here's the article. Some say what Kenny did in the locker room was partly responsible for TO staying.

Kenny Walker and Dr Tom

 

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Yep...he was a freak (in a good way, not because he was deaf). Went on to play for Denver...didn't have a huge career, but still impressive that he could do that with such a disability. It's not like he was hearing impaired or had trouble deciphering things....he was flat out deaf. One good thing is I guess a QB's barks wouldn't draw him offsides, but also you'd have to react to every little movement. Then if there was an audible, you'd have to have him see. Amazes me still.

 

[FourthDegree]

James Simms (#31)

Was a 25 year old senior during 95-96 season. Good running back out of Omaha, just had the misfortune of playing behind some great college backs.

My favorite husker that may not be remembered by many in 20 years.

 

[Big Red Cop]

I had the pleasure of getting to know Kenny and his family while he was a Teacher/Coach and Iowa School For The Deaf. Wonderful family and Kenny was one of the funniest men that I have ever met. You could never say anything around him as he was one of the best lip readers I have ever or will ever meet. One day I told my future wife while on a picnic at Lake Manawa with the Walker's that I bet I could dunk him in the lake later when we went swimming. I didn't even think that he had seen me say this to my wife. Later on in the water, he came out of no where, grabbed me up and threw me like a rag-doll. He then came up smiling to me and said, "So, you really think that you can dunk me?" I was amazed! Have a poster of the 1990 Blackshirts in my office with a nice little note on it:" It has been great to know you. Kenny Walker". Even though my time around Kenny was only for about a year, I think of that guy about once a day!

A Deaf Football PlayerIf you are a football fan, perhaps you have heard about the deaf football player Kenny Walker. Walker, who became deaf at two from meningitis, had a short, but interesting football career. First he was an All-American player on the University of Nebraska Cornhuskers, then was picked up by the Denver Broncos whom he played for for a few years before being released. He had a brief stint with the Canadian Football League before retiring from football. After he retired from football, Walker became a football coach at the Iowa School for the Deaf.

Walker

 

[indianahusker]

I met Kenny Walker while I was living in Shenandoah, IA. He was working at the School for the Deaf.

Class guy.

Great player.

Biggest dude I've ever met in person!

 

[BLKSHIRTD]

yeah i remember kenny walk he was a awsome player and i still have his nfl rookie card

 

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James Simms (#31)

Was a 25 year old senior during 95-96 season. Good running back out of Omaha, just had the misfortune of playing behind some great college backs.

My favorite husker that may not be remembered by many in 20 years.

I went to UNL 93-97. Jay was a physical freak as well. (I believe he set the school record in the physical tests that they do with 10 & 40 times, vertical, broad jump, etc....whatever that test is called). He just had horrible times holding onto the ball and didn't exactly have the power running game to break tackles.

Another name from that era (pretty much because we lived on the same dorm floor and got to be friends) was Sheldon Jackson...or 'Sheldon B. Jackson Jr.' as he always introduced himself. Pretty solid Tight End during his time and a fun guy to be around. Went on to play for a few years for the Bills....even featured in a couple Powerade commercials!

Best memory of Sheldon - I wanted to give my dad an autographed football for Christmas so I bought one of those white footballs and a sharpie just before Thanksgiving and asked Sheldon to see what he could do. Kept checking, kept checking....sitting next to his couch for the longest time so I was getting nervous. Just before they left for the Fiesta Bowl (for their second national championship) Sheldon knocked on my door and there he stood with the ball. All offensive and defensive starters along with some of the backups on 3 panels of the ball. Then on the 4th panel there were only 3 signatures. Tom Osborne in the middle with Lawrence Phillips and Tommie Frazier signed on either side. WOW!!!

 

[Big Red Cop]

Best memory of Sheldon - I wanted to give my dad an autographed football for Christmas so I bought one of those white footballs and a sharpie just before Thanksgiving and asked Sheldon to see what he could do. Kept checking, kept checking....sitting next to his couch for the longest time so I was getting nervous. Just before they left for the Fiesta Bowl (for their second national championship) Sheldon knocked on my door and there he stood with the ball. All offensive and defensive starters along with some of the backups on 3 panels of the ball. Then on the 4th panel there were only 3 signatures. Tom Osborne in the middle with Lawrence Phillips and Tommie Frazier signed on either side. WOW!!!

Soooooo, did you end up giving your father the football???

 

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Best memory of Sheldon - I wanted to give my dad an autographed football for Christmas so I bought one of those white footballs and a sharpie just before Thanksgiving and asked Sheldon to see what he could do. Kept checking, kept checking....sitting next to his couch for the longest time so I was getting nervous. Just before they left for the Fiesta Bowl (for their second national championship) Sheldon knocked on my door and there he stood with the ball. All offensive and defensive starters along with some of the backups on 3 panels of the ball. Then on the 4th panel there were only 3 signatures. Tom Osborne in the middle with Lawrence Phillips and Tommie Frazier signed on either side. WOW!!!

Soooooo, did you end up giving your father the football???

Yep...right after that we re-wrote his will!