Malcolm Walker (American football)

Malcolm Walker (born May 24, 1943) is a former center in the National Football League. Walker was drafted in the second round of the 1965 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys and would later play four seasons with the team. During his final season in the NFL he played with the Green Bay Packers.

Early years

Walker attended South Oak Cliff High School. He went on to play at Rice University in 1966, where he was a two-way player and a three year starter, playing center on offense and linebacker on defense.

He was a two-time All-SWC selection (1963 and 1964), a first team (1964) and third team All-American (1963). As a senior he played in the East–West Shrine Game, the Senior Bowl and the Chicago College All-Star Game.

Walker was named one of the 55 greatest football players at Rice University and in 1976 he was inducted into the Rice Athletic Hall of Fame.

Professional career

Dallas Cowboys

Walker was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the second round of the 1965 NFL Draft and also in the second round of the 1965 AFL Draft by the Houston Oilers. As a rookie he was placed on injured reserve, after suffering a knee injury while practicing for the Chicago College All-Star Game, which would affect him during his entire career (he had three knee operations).^[1]

In 1966 because of the depth at the center position, he was moved to tackle. Unfortunately he wasn't fully recovered from his injury, so he was placed on the taxi squad.^[2] That season he appeared in only 5 games, playing mainly on special teams.

Walker became the team's starting center in 1968 and 1969. After playing with multiple injuries the previous year, in 1970, he was traded along with Clarence Williams to the Green Bay Packers, in exchange for future hall of famer Herb Adderley.^[3][4]

Green Bay Packers

In 1971 after playing in 11 games, he was waived after failing a physical for problems on his knee.^[5]

References