He played college football for the Auburn Tigers, and was selected in the fifth round of the 1995 NFL draft by the Houston Oilers.

He accumulated 148 tackles and 15 sacks in two seasons at Auburn University, earning second-team All-Southeastern Conference honors as a senior.

Signed by the Houston Texans in 2002, he was selected to the Pro Bowl in that year, though he was subsequently plagued by injuries.

Walker severed his triceps muscle during the 2005 season and was waived by the Texans in March 2006.

[2] Key Walker's son Gary Jr. played college football for the Auburn Tigers and is now a graduate assistant for the program.