04/18/2008
A Gay Tennessee College Football Star is Recognized, Posthumously
Star high school football player and former Tennessee linebacker Jackie Walker, who became the first African-American football player in the Southeastern Conference to be named an all-American and the first to captain an SEC team, and remains in NCAA record books for his interception touchdown record, is finally being recognized:
"Walker was gay, which he made no effort to hide after his senior season at Tennessee. That is why his name has faded from memory, according to his brother, Marshall, and several of his teammates and coaches. When Walker was dying of AIDS in 2002, his brother told him he would change that, pledging to help get him into the Greater Knoxville Sports Hall of Fame. Walker laughed, convinced that it would never happen. Now, it appears that Marshall Walker’s promise has paid off. The Hall of Fame is expected to include Jackie Walker when it releases its latest class of inductees Sunday."
The NYT notes that Walker's openness about his sexuality likely also led to his axing from the San Francisco 49ers (who drafted him after college) before the season began.
Jamie Rotella, another Tennessee linebacker, spoke to the paper about learning of Walker's sexuality: "I was totally shocked. But it didn’t affect the way I admired and respected him. We were confused, but everybody had too much respect for Jackie, for his character as well as for his football play. Jackie was a private person, very humble. Whenever he did speak, his words were sincere, reflecting his character. He was a silent leader. He didn’t say much, but when he did, you listened."
Long in the Shadows, a Player’s Legacy Is Restored [nyt]
Sphere: Related ContentPosted 12:20 PM EST by Andy in Football (American), News, Sports | Permalink
Comments
He came out in 1973! Even today professional athletes don't come out until they retire. That took guts.
Posted by: sam | Apr 18, 2008 1:07:46 PM
To be black and openly gay in 1973. You're right, Sam--He was incredibly brave. The openly black gay baseball player, Glenn Burke was also brave, but he didn't deal with anti-gay/anti-black prejudice as well as Mr Walker.
Is it any wonder so many athletes stay on the "down low"--also politicians like McGreevey and Craig (well, Miss Craig is just plain LOW).
Posted by: Derrick from Philly | Apr 18, 2008 1:22:46 PM
Sam and Derrick
I totaly agree
To come out in 1973 = brave
An African American dealing with prejudice and ignorance from others for just being Black coming out as gay in 1973 is beyond brave.
I like this part
"He was a silent leader. He didn’t say much, but when he did, you listened"
It would have been cool to have met him face to face.
Posted by: Jimmyboyo | Apr 18, 2008 1:29:49 PM
PS
I am totaly curious to know how high he was off of the ground in the top pic. Was there anything under him for a soft landing? etc
Posted by: Jimmyboyo | Apr 18, 2008 1:32:16 PM
Great story, coming out in the Deep South as a man of color in 1973, took a whole lot of courage, something many still won't and can't do in 2008.
Posted by: Sebastian | Apr 18, 2008 3:22:03 PM
WOW, what an AMAZING story. I can't believe that this story has never been told.
It seems to me that this is yet another example of how gay people are denied our heroes and our own history. Be it the closet or the anti-gay bias of those who record history, we in the gay community are denied those important icons, and events from the past that are SO important to other communities (especially minority communities). From Alexander the Great to Turing to Jackie Walker, there seems to be a concerted conspiracy to either hide the homosexuality of heroes or to just hide them altogether. I don't think we'll ever know the harm that that does to a minority community. This is especially harmful to young people. When young gay people hear only negative things about gay people and are only exposed to gay villains of history at the same time they are being denied knowledge that some of the heroes of history were gay, then it's no wonder that they grow up with low self esteem and self-hate.
I SALUTE Jackie Walker's brother for pursuing this and righting an injustice of omission and exclusion that has gone on way too long.
I also salute the memory of the talented, courageous and trail blazing Jackie Walker for his pioneering spirit on behalf of African-American and gay athletes in a time and place where it would have been much easier to just sit back and let someone else make these courageous steps forward.
Posted by: Zeke | Apr 18, 2008 3:43:34 PM
Zeke
"WOW, what an AMAZING story. I can't believe that this story has never been told."
Made me instantly think what a wonderful movie his life story would be.
Posted by: Jimmyboyo | Apr 18, 2008 4:55:37 PM
It's good to know he finally got the recognition he deserves. I'm from Knoxville, and one of our local papers, the Metro Pulse, ran a story on him and the whole situation last year: http://www.metropulse.com/news/2007/nov/22/jackie-walker-story/
The NYT articles covers a lot of it, but it's still worth a read.
Posted by: Leigh | Apr 18, 2008 10:40:51 PM
Thanks for passing that on LEIGH!
:)
Posted by: Zeke | Apr 18, 2008 11:26:08 PM
Zeke, You said it all. Great post.
Posted by: Vi Agara | Apr 18, 2008 11:41:59 PM
If this happened in 1973 and wasn't brought to light until now. Then imagine what else could be told, there is endless possibility in that!
Posted by: James R* | Apr 19, 2008 1:20:30 PM
God Bless. I hope people like Anderson Cooper are paying attention to brave men like Jackie Walker.
Posted by: Cory | Apr 21, 2008 3:32:17 PM
Recent Comments