Everson Walls

Last updated

Everson Walls
No. 24, 28
Position: Cornerback
Safety
Personal information
Born: (1959-12-28) December 28, 1959 (age 64)
Dallas, Texas, U.S.
Height:6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:194 lb (88 kg)
Career information
High school: Berkner (Richardson, Texas)
College: Grambling State
Undrafted: 1981
Career history
Career highlights and awards
NFL record
  • Most seasons leading league in interceptions: 3 (1981, 1982, 1985; tied with Ed Reed)
Career NFL statistics
Interceptions:57
Interception yards:504
Touchdowns:1
Player stats at PFR

Everson Collins Walls (born December 28, 1959) is an American former professional football player who was a defensive back in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys, the New York Giants, and the Cleveland Browns. During his 14 seasons, he was a four-time Pro Bowl selection. He was also a three-time All-Pro selection. Walls won a Super Bowl with the Giants after the 1990 season. He played college football for the Grambling State Tigers.

Contents

Early life

Walls was born and raised in Richardson, TX. He was nicknamed "Cubby" and he was raised by his mother two miles from the Dallas Cowboys practice facility. He played football at Lloyd V. Berkner High School in Richardson, Texas, where he only played one year of football (senior year) and led the district in interceptions.

He was determined to play college football, and after high school, he enrolled at Grambling State University. At the time, his girlfriend was related to an assistant coach, whom Walls called regarding a walk-on spot. He was eventually invited to training camp and impressed legendary coach Eddie Robinson, who arranged to meet with his mother about granting Walls a scholarship. He received a full ride and did not disappoint, earning Division I-AA All-American honors while leading the nation with 11 interceptions his senior year.

Professional career

Dallas Cowboys

Pro scouts thought he was too slow for the National Football League after he ran the 40-yard dash in a disappointing 4.72 seconds during workouts. [1] Eventually, however, his hometown Cowboys signed him as an undrafted free agent, entering the league as a 21-year-old. Although he was being targeted by opposing quarterbacks who were throwing away from more experienced players, he made an immediate impact by leading the league in interceptions as a backup, [2] until he was named the starter in the fifth game of the season and finished with a league leading 11 interceptions. [3] Coached by the legendary Tom Landry, he received a Pro Bowl invitation as a rookie for his contributions. [4]

In the 1982 strike-shortened season, he again led the league in interceptions after recording seven in just nine games. Surrounded by a strong defensive unit, which included players like Randy White and Ed "Too Tall" Jones, Walls continued his outstanding play and again led the league in interceptions in 1985 with 9. In the history of the NFL, only he and safety Ed Reed have led the league in interceptions three times.

Walls received Pro Bowl honors four times (1981, 1982, 1983 and 1985). During this period of time however, the Cowboys were unable to win a Super Bowl, as they lost the NFC title game in 1981 and 1982 and fell short again in 1983 and 1985. Despite this, Walls remained one of the most feared cover cornerbacks in the league; eventually, quarterbacks were forced to stop throwing the ball to his side. He led the Cowboys in interceptions five seasons, tied with Terence Newman for leading the most seasons in franchise history. [5]

He also was known for his contract disputes with the Cowboys, which were eventually settled in 1987, when Walls was given a three-year deal worth $5.05 million. This made him the second-highest paid cornerback in the league. [6]

The team waived him at the end of the 1989 season, because of a lack of production and an incident that happened after a loss to the Phoenix Cardinals, when head coach Jimmy Johnson saw him talking with some friends among the Cardinals players. [7] His 44 interceptions ranks him second on the Cowboys career list.

New York Giants

In 1990, Walls joined the New York Giants as a free agent, signing a two-year deal worth over one million dollars. [8] Walls started at safety for the first time in his career, and, on a standout defensive squad with Lawrence Taylor, Leonard Marshall, and Carl Banks, he eventually called most of the defensive plays. [9] It was here that Walls would record his first and only career defensive touchdown, a game-clinching interception return against the Washington Redskins to get the Giants to 7–0 on the season.

Coached by Bill Parcells, with defensive coordinator Bill Belichick, the Giants posted a 13–3 record and reached the NFC Championship game, where they traveled to San Francisco to face the two-time defending Super Bowl champion 49ers. With a late field goal, the Giants were able to pull off the upset, 15–13, to advance to Super Bowl XXV, where they met the AFC champion Buffalo Bills. During the game, Walls made a critical play when he tackled Thurman Thomas in the open field with less than two minutes to play - a tackle that likely stopped a sure touchdown for the Bills. The Giants would win the Super Bowl, 20–19, on Scott Norwood's missed field goal attempt as time ran out. Walls was on the Sports Illustrated cover photo as he was captured with his arms raised in victory after the Giants won the game.

In 1992, he was a starter for 2 games, before being passed on the depth chart by second-year player Lamar McGriggs. He was released on October 21, after playing as a backup in 4 more games, while registering 12 tackles and one interception. [10]

Cleveland Browns

On October 23, 1992, Walls signed with the Cleveland Browns as a free agent, reuniting with head coach and former Giants defensive coordinator Belichick. [11] After learning that he could not step backwards, defensive coordinator Nick Saban taught Walls to move his hips and shuffle. [12] He played in 10 games with 5 starts and had 2 interceptions. In 1993, he started 7 games before being released on October 27. [13]

In his final three professional seasons after he was switched to safety from the cornerback position, he recorded a total of seven interceptions.

Professional legacy

Walls is one of the most prolific and decorated defensive backs to ever play in the game. He is one of only two players to lead the NFL in interceptions three times (Ed Reed is the other). He also led his Cowboys in interceptions a franchise-record five times, he ranks second in the team's career interceptions list and is 10th all-time on the career interceptions list, with 57. In addition, he shares the career Pro Bowl interceptions record with four, and shares the single-game Pro Bowl record for interceptions with two. With experience under Eddie Robinson, Tom Landry, Bill Parcells, Jimmy Johnson and Bill Belichick, Walls has had the privilege of working for some of the all-time greatest coaches. He was named to the Cowboys 25th Year Anniversary Team.

Despite his accolades, Walls remains an outsider to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. However, in his final year of eligibility he made it as a modern-era finalist for the first and only time, but did not make it past the cutdown from 15 to 10. If Walls makes it in the future, he will be selected through the hall of fame's Senior Committee. [14] [15] On December 6, 2006, it was announced that Walls would be inducted into the Southwestern Athletic Conference Hall of Fame. [16]

He was also inducted into the Texas Black Sports Hall of Fame, the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and the Grambling Legends Sports Hall of Fame.

In 2019, the Professional Football Researchers Association named Walls to the PFRA Hall of Very Good Class of 2019. [17]

Walls was named the 2010 FCS Championship game ambassador.

Walls was guarding Dwight Clark on a key play near the end of the 1981 NFC Championship, a reception that is remembered as "The Catch". A photograph of the catch, taken by Walter Iooss, with Clark at the height of his leap and Walls reaching out to try to block the ball, was featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated following the game, in which the 49ers defeated the Cowboys 28–27. Nearly ten years later, Walls would again be featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated, but this time as a winner, celebrating the Giants Super Bowl XXV win over the Buffalo Bills (Feb 4, 1991). [18]

After signing with the Cowboys in August 2020, former Minnesota Vikings pass rusher Everson Griffen, who grew up as a Cowboys fan, revealed that he was named after Walls.

Kidney donation

On Tuesday, December 12, 2006, it was announced that Walls would donate a kidney to former Cowboys teammate Ron Springs, who had diabetes. [19] The surgery was successfully completed in March 2007. [20]

In 2009, he wrote the book A Gift For Ron, detailing his experiences on and off the field including the decision to make the organ donation to Springs.

Awards

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Super Bowl XXV</span> 1991 edition of the Super Bowl

Super Bowl XXV was an American football game between the American Football Conference (AFC) champion Buffalo Bills and the National Football Conference (NFC) champion New York Giants to decide the National Football League (NFL) champion for the 1990 season. The Giants defeated the Bills by the score of 20–19, winning their second Super Bowl.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aeneas Williams</span> American football player (born 1968)

Aeneas Demetrius Williams is an American former football cornerback and safety who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 14 seasons, primarily with the Arizona Cardinals franchise. He played college football for the Southern Jaguars and was selected in the third round of the 1991 NFL draft by the Cardinals, where he spent 10 seasons. During his final four seasons, he was a member of the St. Louis Rams. Williams received eight Pro Bowl selections and three first-team All-Pro honors, as well as being on the second NFL 1990s All-Decade Team. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ty Law</span> American football player (born 1974)

Tajuan Edward "Ty" Law is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback for 15 seasons in the National Football League (NFL), primarily with the New England Patriots. He played college football for the Michigan Wolverines, where he was a first-team All-American, and was selected by the Patriots in the first round of the 1995 NFL draft. During his 10 seasons in New England, he received four Pro Bowl selections and two first-team All-Pro honors. A three-time Super Bowl winner with the Patriots, Law also holds the franchise record for interceptions. Law spent his final five seasons as a member of the New York Jets, Kansas City Chiefs, and Denver Broncos, earning a fifth Pro Bowl selection with the formermost. Ranking 24th in NFL career interceptions, he twice led the league in interceptions during the 1998 and 2005 seasons. He was inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mel Renfro</span> American football player (born 1941)

Melvin Lacy Renfro is an American former professional football player who spent his entire 14-year career as a cornerback for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). He is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rodney Harrison</span> American football player and commentator (born 1972)

Rodney Scott Harrison is an American former football safety who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 15 seasons with the San Diego Chargers and New England Patriots. He was selected in the fifth round of the 1994 NFL draft by the Chargers, where he spent his first nine seasons, and was a member of the Patriots in his following six. Since leaving the NFL in 2009, he has served as a commentator for NBC's Football Night in America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dan Reeves</span> American football player and coach (1944–2022)

Daniel Edward Reeves was an American professional football running back and coach in the National Football League (NFL). During his 38 years in the NFL, Reeves participated in nine Super Bowls, the third most for an individual. He was a head coach for 23 seasons, a position he held with the Denver Broncos from 1981 to 1992, the New York Giants from 1993 to 1996, and the Atlanta Falcons from 1997 to 2003. As a player, he spent his eight-season career with the Dallas Cowboys, who signed him as an undrafted free agent out of South Carolina in 1965.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Willie Brown (American football)</span> American football player, coach and administrator (1940–2019)

William Ferdie Brown was an American professional football player, coach and administrator. He played as a cornerback for the Denver Broncos and the Oakland Raiders of the American Football League (AFL) and later in the National Football League (NFL). Following his playing career, Brown remained with the Raiders as an assistant coach. He served as the head football coach at California State University, Long Beach in 1991, the final season before the school's football program was terminated. Brown was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a player in 1984. At the time of his death he was on the Raiders' administrative staff.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cliff Harris</span> American football player (born 1948)

Clifford Allen Harris is an American former professional football player who was a safety for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL) for ten seasons. A Pro Football Hall of Famer, he appeared in five Super Bowls and was selected to six consecutive Pro Bowls. Harris retired from football at 31 to focus on his work within the oil business.

Dennis Lee Thurman is an American football coach and former player. He is a former coach in the National Football League (NFL) for the Phoenix Cardinals, the Baltimore Ravens and the New York Jets, and in the Alliance of American Football (AAF) for the Memphis Express. He played as a cornerback for the Dallas Cowboys and the St. Louis Cardinals. He played college football for the USC Trojans.

Donald William Bishop was an American football cornerback in the National Football League (NFL) for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Chicago Bears and Dallas Cowboys. He played college football at Los Angeles City College.

Raymond DeWayne Clayborn is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback for the New England Patriots from 1977 to 1989 and the Cleveland Browns from 1990 to 1991 of the National Football League (NFL). A three-time Pro Bowl and five-time All-Pro selection, he was the Patriots' starting cornerback in Super Bowl XX. Prior to the that he was an All-American defensive back and a running back/returner at the University of Texas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Benny Barnes</span> American football player (born 1951)

Benny Jewell Barnes is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback in the National Football League for eleven seasons, all with the Dallas Cowboys. He played college football for the Stanford Cardinals in the Pacific-8 Conference.

Steven Anthony Wilson is a former American football defensive back in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys and Denver Broncos. He played college football at Howard University. Wilson was most recently the assistant defensive backs/special teams coach for the DC Defenders of the XFL. He was the former head football coach at his alma mater Howard University, from 1989 to 2001, and Texas Southern University, from 2004 to 2007.

Todd Robert Bowles is an American football coach and former player who is the head coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League (NFL). He previously served as the head coach of the New York Jets from 2015 to 2018. Bowles has also served as the defensive coordinator of the Arizona Cardinals and Buccaneers and as the secondary coach for the Jets, Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, Miami Dolphins, and Philadelphia Eagles. He played eight seasons in the NFL as a safety, primarily with the Washington Redskins, and was a member of the team that won Super Bowl XXII.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1985 Dallas Cowboys season</span> NFL team season

The 1985 Dallas Cowboys season was the franchise's 26th season in the National Football League. The Cowboys improved on their 9-7 record from 1984 and made the playoffs after a one-year absence. This marked the final postseason appearance for the Cowboys under Tom Landry and Bum Bright, where they were shutout 20–0 in the divisional playoff game to the Los Angeles Rams. The team holds the record for consecutive winning seasons with 20.

The 1982 Dallas Cowboys season was the franchise's 23rd season in the National Football League. The Cowboys finished with a record of 6–3, placing them second in the NFC. After losing the season opener to the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Cowboys won the next six, including five after the strike had ended. However, two losses at the end of the regular season cost them home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. After beginning their playoff run with victories over the Buccaneers 30–17 and the Packers 37–26, the Cowboys traveled to Washington, where they met defeat at the hands of their arch-rival, the Redskins 31–17. It was the third straight season that the Cowboys lost in the NFC championship game. The Redskins would advance and won Super Bowl XVII.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stephon Gilmore</span> American football player (born 1990)

Stephon Stiles Gilmore is an American football cornerback for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the South Carolina Gamecocks and was selected tenth overall by the Buffalo Bills in the 2012 NFL draft. Gilmore spent his first five seasons with the Bills and earned Pro Bowl honors in 2016 before joining the New England Patriots.

Herbert Anthony Adderley was an American football cornerback who played for the Green Bay Packers and the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). In 1980, he was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brady–Belichick era</span> Sports dynasty of the New England Patriots

The Tom Brady–Bill Belichick era, also known as the Brady–Belichick era, the New England Patriots dynasty, or the Patriots dynasty, was a sports dynasty of the New England Patriots in the National Football League (NFL) that lasted from the 2001 to the 2019 season. The dynasty is named after quarterback Tom Brady and head coach Bill Belichick, who are regarded as among the greatest in their respective positions. Belichick and Brady are consistently credited with the Patriots' success and are considered responsible for one of the sport's longest and most dominant dynasties. They are also credited with helping to create and sustain the culture around the team, dubbed the "Patriot Way", where there is an emphasis on personal accountability, consistent improvement, and a focus on team success over personal gain.

The National Football League 100th Anniversary All-Time Team was voted on by a panel consisting of media members, former players and league personnel in 2019 to honor the greatest players of the first 100 years of the National Football League (NFL). Tom Brady, Larry Fitzgerald, and Adam Vinatieri were the only active players when the team was revealed, while Bill Belichick was the only active head coach to be selected. Tom Brady was the last active player after his retirement following the 2022 NFL season. Johnny Unitas, Jim Brown, Gale Sayers, Don Hutson, Chuck Bednarik, Gino Marchetti, and Dick "Night Train" Lane are also part of the NFL 50th Anniversary All-Time Team and the NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team.

References

  1. ↑ "Everson Walls Biography". Archived from the original on February 26, 2017. Retrieved February 19, 2017.
  2. ↑ "Pickoff king will start for Dallas" . Retrieved February 19, 2017.
  3. ↑ Rank, Adam (February 10, 2014). "NFL players from historically black colleges". National Football League . Retrieved February 27, 2014.
  4. ↑ "Pro Bowl Features Six Rookies" . Retrieved February 19, 2017.
  5. ↑ "Dallas Cowboys".
  6. ↑ "Comings and Goings". The New York Times. May 20, 1987. Retrieved January 11, 2007.
  7. ↑ "NFL Notebook" . Retrieved February 19, 2017.
  8. ↑ "Cowboys' Walls Is Joining Giants". Associated Press. April 30, 1990. Retrieved January 11, 2007.
  9. ↑ Holloman, Ray. "Everson Walls: In His Words". Blackvoices.com. AOL BlackVoices. Retrieved January 2, 2009.
  10. ↑ Eskenazi, Gerald (October 22, 1992). "Giants Begin Overhaul By Releasing Walls". The New York Times. Retrieved February 19, 2017.
  11. ↑ "Browns Pick Up Former Giants" . Retrieved February 19, 2017.
  12. ↑ Vrentas, Jenny (January 18, 2018). "Belichick & Saban: The stories behind a friendship". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved January 18, 2019.
  13. ↑ "Transactions". The New York Times. October 28, 1993. Retrieved February 19, 2017.
  14. ↑ "Terrell Owens, Everson Walls finalists for 2018 Pro Football HOF".
  15. ↑ "Longtime Cowboys cornerback Everson Walls falls short of Hall of Fame in final year of eligibility". February 3, 2018.
  16. ↑ "Walls to enter SWAC Hall of Fame". Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved December 12, 2006.
  17. ↑ "PFRA Hall of Very Good Class of 2019" . Retrieved September 14, 2019.
  18. ↑ "The backstory to Walter Iooss' photo of".
  19. ↑ "Ex-Cowboy Walls gives kidney to former teammate". March 2007. Retrieved December 12, 2016.
  20. ↑ "Former Cowboys teammates forever linked after transplant" . Retrieved March 11, 2007.[ permanent dead link ]
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.