Former Vol Jackie Walker

#1

Coach Grizz

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#1
Former Vol linebacker Jackie Walker 1969-1971 will be inducted into the Tennessee sports hall of fame Feb. 11, 2011. He was a ground breaking figure in challenging race and sexual orientation. He was the first knoxville african american to get a football scholorship to UT, the first African American in the sec and UT to recieve all American honors and the first African American captain of the 1971 UT football team. Walker also holds an NCAA record for int's returned for touch downs. Walker died in 2002 in Atlanta at the age of 51. Congratulations Jackie Walker you will always be a Vol.

During Walkers playing days the Vols went 30-5 an sec title in 1969 and 2-1 in bowls
 
#2
#2
May be one of the first Volunteer who wasn't afraid to come out of the closet. This was over-due for many reasons, imo.
 
#3
#3
May be one of the first Volunteer who wasn't afraid to come out of the closet. This was over-due for many reasons, imo.

I agree, regardless of his sexual orientation he was a damn good football player and he is one of our Vols
 
#5
#5
A great man, a great Vol. It's probably hard for some to understand the adversities Jackie faced and understand fully his accomplishments without fully understanding the times in which he grew up and played.
1747-cover-jackie_t300.jpg
 
#8
#8
I think he's referring to people who "might" have a problem with it.

We do live in the south after all, even in this day and age.

Sad thing that some people still harbor feelings like they do.
 
#10
#10
South or not, there is no excuse. People are people, even the Bible teaches that I think.

Congratsth Mr. Walker.


I kid, I kid.
 
#11
#11
I saw him play in person a number of time. He was a beast. Played beside Hacksaw and Steve Kiner. Maybe the best 3 LBs together at the same time ever.
 
#13
#13
He was black ball'd. Tim Priest was making it his personal mission to get him inducted. Way overdue.
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#14
#14
What do you mean, "regardless?"
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I suspect he means...regardless of Walker's choice for an alternative sexual preference...which is by no means the norm in a male only, physical sport like football...let alone expected to be accepted as "normal behavior" by anyone who has not succumbed to the these PC times which I, for one...am tired of having such chosen behavior shoved down my throat as being "normal" when I, in fact, don't find it to be....

Or maybe Grizz didn't mean it that way...but, that is how I read it...and I stand by my interpretation of the way I read it.

Oh..and a posthumous congratulations to Walker who, I never saw play...but, apparently was a great Volunteer.
 
#15
#15
What do you mean, "regardless?"
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I meant nothing derogatory what I was saying some might say yeah he was a good player but.... I wouldn't have made this thread if I didn't I had a problem with it.
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#17
#17
I suspect he means...regardless of Walker's choice for an alternative sexual preference...which is by no means the norm in a male only, physical sport like football...let alone expected to be accepted as "normal behavior" by anyone who has not succumbed to the these PC times which I, for one...am tired of having such chosen behavior shoved down my throat as being "normal" when I, in fact, don't find it to be....

Or maybe Grizz didn't mean it that way...but, that is how I read it...and I stand by my interpretation of the way I read it.

Oh..and a posthumous congratulations to Walker who, I never saw play...but, apparently was a great Volunteer.

It is not normal behavior and probably led to JWs early death. No lessons were learned from Sodom.
 
#19
#19
Given the back story I know it may be difficult but how about we not turn this into a debate about lifestyles?
 
#21
#21
Grizz, thanks again for posting this. I can't say or think enough good about Jackie. That was good times for UT football.
 
#24
#24
I was lucky enough to see Jackie play. He was one of the greatest Vols ever and very deserving of this honor. His brother worked many years to see this happen. Rip
 
#25
#25
I saw him play in person a number of time. He was a beast. Played beside Hacksaw and Steve Kiner. Maybe the best 3 LBs together at the same time ever.

Wow. I am jealous. I thought we had some good LB units back in the 90's, but seeing these 3 together must have been a treat.
 

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