NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Delanie Walker knew his damaged ankle was unhealthy when he didn’t really feel any ache whereas on the sphere in Miami.
Not due to shock. The nerve-endings had been severed.
“At that time, I sort of felt like that is going to be a tricky one to come back again from,” Walker mentioned Tuesday. “However understanding me, I used to be that man, understanding that I wished to come back again early. I wished to indicate the workforce that I labored my butt off to get again on this subject. And, you realize, it simply didn’t occur the way in which I wished it to.”
Walker broke his ankle within the 2018 season opener, the primary recreation below his new head coach Mike Vrabel in what wound up because the NFL’s longest recreation. Walker performed seven extra video games in 2019, and the three-time Professional Bowl tight finish lastly retired Tuesday from the NFL after 14 seasons — practically three years after his ultimate recreation.
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A brand new job with the NFL’s Legends Group helped Walker understand that the time to transition had arrived.
“There’s no different job on this planet just like the NFL,” Walker mentioned. “So it took me some time to understand that I in all probability wasn’t going to have the ability to play once more. And that second hit as soon as I acquired my new job, I simply realized that it was time to hold it up and I wished to do it with the Tennessee Titans.”
A sixth-round select of Central Missouri in 2006 at No. 175 total, Walker wound up enjoying 14 years within the NFL with 504 catches for five,888 yards and 36 touchdowns in 183 video games. He spent his first seven seasons with the San Francisco 49ers the place he had simply eight touchdowns enjoying behind Vernon Davis.
When Tennessee known as providing the California native a chance to be the Titans’ No. 1 tight finish, Walker jumped on the alternative in 2013. Beginning that yr, he led all NFL tight ends with 356 catches by means of 2017.
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Walker was a four-time workforce captain and a Professional Bowl choose in 2015, 2016 and 2017. He was the workforce’s Walter Payton NFL Man of the 12 months nominee in 2013 and 2015 for his work together with with Moms In opposition to Drunk Driving.
His 28 TD catches for Tennessee leads all tight ends for the franchise. Walker ranks second in franchise historical past behind Frank Wycheck with 381 receptions for 4,423 yards receiving. Titans controlling proprietor Amy Adams Strunk congratulated Walker on a incredible profession capped by a information convention at Nissan Stadium.
“Delanie will at all times be thought-about a part of the Titans household, and we want him continued success within the years to come back,” Strunk mentioned.
Titans normal supervisor Jon Robinson recalled needing a map to search out Central Missouri State to scout Walker whereas working for the New England Patriots. Robinson mentioned he couldn’t have been happier to have Walker on the Titans’ roster when he was employed as normal supervisor in January 2016.
“I’m proud to have labored with you, Delaney,” Robinson mentioned. “We as a corporation are extraordinarily excited that you’re selecting to retire as a Tennessee Titan. And congrats on each single factor that you just’ve been capable of accomplish, man. Happy with you.”
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