Erik Walden

Erik Walden

Walden with the Dolphins in 2009
No. 93     Indianapolis Colts
Linebacker
Personal information
Date of birth: (1985-08-21) August 21, 1985
Place of birth: Dublin, Georgia
Height: 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) Weight: 250 lb (113 kg)
Career information
High school: Dublin (GA)
College: Middle Tennessee State
NFL Draft: 2008 / Round: 6 / Pick: 167
Debuted in 2008 for the Kansas City Chiefs
Career history
Dallas Cowboys (2008)* Kansas City Chiefs (2008) Miami Dolphins (2008–2010) Green Bay Packers (2010–2012) Indianapolis Colts (2013–present) *Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Roster status: Active
Career highlights and awards
Super Bowl Champion (XLV) NFC Champion (2010) 2× First-team All-Sun Belt (2006, 2007) NFC Defensive Player of the Week Week 17 (2010)
Career NFL statistics as of 2013
Tackles 199 Sacks 12.0 Interceptions 2 Total touchdowns 2 Stats at NFL.com

Erik Lashawn Walden (born August 21, 1985) is an American football linebacker for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the sixth round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Middle Tennessee State.

Walden has also played for the Kansas City Chiefs, Miami Dolphins and Green Bay Packers.

College career

At Middle Tennessee State University he was a starter at defensive end since his freshman year. He owns the school's career (20.5) and season (11.5) sack records.

As a junior he was an All-Sun Belt Conference selection. Against Central Michigan in the 2006 Motor City Bowl he led his team with six tackles and two quarterback sacks.^[1]

Walden was injured most of his senior season, which limited his effectiveness, but was still named All-Sun Belt Conference, after finishing second in conference history in career sacks.

Professional career

Dallas Cowboys

Walden signed a four-year contract with the Cowboys on July 22, 2008.^[2] He was waived by the team on August 30 during final cuts.

Kansas City Chiefs

A day after being let go by the Cowboys, hoping he would clear waivers enabling them to sign him to their practice squad, Walden was claimed off waivers by the Kansas City Chiefs on August 31, 2008. Linebacker Weston Dacus was waived to make room for Walden. On November 19, the Chiefs waived Walden.

Miami Dolphins

Walden was claimed off waivers by the Miami Dolphins on November 20, 2008. The team waived linebacker Rob Ninkovich to make room for him on the roster.

Green Bay Packers

Walden was signed off the street by the Packers on October 31, 2010. Walden had his best game for the Packers on January 2, 2011 starting against the Chicago Bears. Walden led the team with 3 sacks and 16 tackles and was named NFC Defensive Player of the week. He finished the season with twenty tackles in 9 games (two starts). ^[3]

Indianapolis Colts

Walden signed with the Indianapolis Colts on March 12, 2013.^[4] The contract was for four years, $16 million ($8 million guaranteed).^[5] In week eleven against the Tennessee Titans, Walden pulled Delanie Walker's helmet off and head-butted him, and was penalized for unnecessary roughness; on November 18, Walden was suspended for one game.^[6]

Personal

On November 25, 2011 Walden was arrested for an alleged physical altercation that sent his girlfriend to the hospital. Police had enough evidence to hold him under felony charges through Monday, as his case could not be processed over the Thanksgiving weekend. Walden's girlfriend changed her statement and Walden was released with no charges filed.^[7]

References

External links

• Green Bay Packers bio
• Miami Dolphins bio
• Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders bio