Family keeps defensive tackle Walker’s motor running

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This article was published 16/05/2023 (903 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Family is everything to Ricky Walker.

The defensive tackle for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers has a portrait of his late grandmother tattooed on his left bicep. Underneath that, he has the name of his older cousin David, who was murdered years ago in Walker’s hometown of Pittsburgh.

In the near future, Walker plans to add the names of his two sons — four-year-old Rijaz and two-year-old Rocco — as well.

“That’s motivation. Especially being away from (my sons) right now, it’s motivation. Every chance I get to talk to them and see them, I just know I’m doing this for somebody more important than me,” said Walker, who’s entering his third season in Winnipeg.

“Family is definitely important. My mom, dad, wife, aunts, uncles, brothers, friends. Everyone’s supportive and understands this journey, where I’ve been, and understand that the time is now. I’ve been patient and putting in the work.”

Walker isn’t the first person in his family to make it to the pros. His uncle Adam played running back and won a Super Bowl in 1995 with the San Francisco 49ers. He also has an older brother who played at Virginia, a younger brother who played at Army, and a cousin who suited up at Toledo.

The time really is now for Walker to make a name for himself. In 2021, he was buried on the depth chart behind Steven Richardson and Casey Sayles. Last season, the former Virginia Tech standout dressed for 12 games and was part of a rotation with Sayles where he had 14 tackles, a sack and two tackles for a loss.

With Sayles signing with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats over the off-season, and the Bombers not bringing any experienced American defensive tackles to camp, all signs point to a promotion for Walker.

“We’ve always liked him. He’s just been behind a guy. But he’s gotten on quite a bit and has played quite a bit of snaps for us. He’s quick, he’s got the right frame, and moves it very well. He’s a competitor, and he fits with our guys. He’s a good guy,” said head coach Mike O’Shea.

After four seasons with the Hokies, Walker signed on with the Dallas Cowboys in 2019 as an undrafted free agent. The following year, Walker spent some time with the Cleveland Browns, and then the XFL’s Tampa Bay Vipers before the league folded owing to the pandemic.

Now that he’s had some time to adjust to the Canadian game, the 27-year-old is ready to take on a bigger role in 2023.

“Believe it or not, it’s just been a typical professional football journey… I’ve been blessed and grateful for all the opportunities. I learned a little bit from each team and have been in different parts of the country and now in a different country in Canada for the first time a couple years ago and I love it, man,” said Walker.

“I’m just grateful to be able to still play professional ball and the game that I’ve been playing since I was six years old.”

taylor.allen@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @TaylorAllen31

Taylor Allen
Reporter

Taylor Allen is a sports reporter for the Winnipeg Free Press. Taylor was the Vince Leah intern in the Free Press newsroom twice while earning his joint communications degree/diploma at the University of Winnipeg and Red River College Polytechnic. He signed on full-time in 2019 and mainly covers the Blue Bombers, curling, and basketball. Read more about Taylor.

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