[1] In the years following his death, Walker's supporters campaigned to have him inducted into local and national halls of fame, arguing he has been denied such recognition because he was gay.
His older brother, Marshall, was among the first African-American students to attend a desegregated Fulton High School, where he was a standout in football, and was awarded a scholarship to Florida A&M.
During his senior year in 1967, Walker averaged over 20 tackles per game, and was named All-State, helping lead Fulton to an undefeated season.
In a game against Oak Ridge, he delivered a legendary tackle, known simply as "The Hit," that knocked an opposing player unconscious.
After naming Walker a starter, Herzbrun, realizing the gamble he was taking, told skeptics that if the move failed, "you can have my job.
"[1] Starting alongside hard-hitting seniors Steve Kiner and Jack "Hacksaw" Reynolds, Walker made an immediate impact.
[10] In Tennessee's narrow 20–18 win over South Carolina in November, Walker registered 10 tackles, including one in which he stopped a Gamecock running back short of the goal line, intercepted two passes, and recovered a fumble.
[17] In Tennessee's 10–7 win over Mississippi State the following week, Walker intercepted a pass from Bulldog quarterback Hal Chealander and returned it 43 yards for what would prove the game-winning touchdown.
[18] He returned his NCAA-record fifth career interception for a touchdown in Tennessee's regular season finale against Penn State, helping the Vols upset the previously unbeaten and heavily favored Nittany Lions, 31–11.
[12] Walker's five interceptions returned for touchdowns remains an NCAA record, though he now shares it with three other players, most recently Darrent Williams of Oklahoma State (2001–2004).
[1] Abandoning his attempts at an NFL career in 1974, Walker moved to Atlanta, where he worked for the city's parks and recreation department.
[1] In 2007, Betty Bean, a reporter for Knoxville's alternative weekly, Metro Pulse, published an article on Walker's life.