ENGLEWOOD – For Denver Broncos rookie DeMarcus Walker, the best moment of his summer, of his life actually, is a quick and easy recollection. It happened a few weeks ago, when he saw the tears of joy on the face of his mother, Cynthia, when presenting her with the keys to a new home.
Taking care of one or both parents is almost as much of a boyhood dream as it is to make the NFL, and the 22-year-old Walker has accomplished both in a surreal year that will never be forgotten.
“It was the best thing that I’ve ever done in my life,” said Walker, of buying a handsome new home in his home state of Florida, along with a new car. “That woman sacrificed so much for me. She took care of me for 22 years; It’s time to take care of her now.”
Walker, the Broncos’ second-round pick (No. 51 overall) from Florida State, signed a $5.1 million contract with Denver that included a signing bonus of about $1.8 million. It wasn’t always easy growing up in a tough neighborhood in his native Florida, but mom’s love and dedication saw his son through to a high-school diploma, then a degree from FSU.
“I’ve come from some struggles,” said Walker, a 6-foot-4, 280-pound defensive lineman. “But my mom always did what it took to keep a roof over our head and food on the table for our whole family.”
Walker, prior to coming to Denver, he’d never in his life spent more than a week outside of Florida. While home base will remain the Sunshine State, he said he is ready for what he believes will be a long career in Denver.
“I’m a winner,” Walker said. “I’m just here to win games, that’s all I’m here to do. To win a Super Bowl. But I still have a lot to learn, and a lot to adjust to. I’m just trying to learn, pick up the game and just play football.”
Walker said he has been made to feel welcome by a veteran defensive crew, which doesn’t always easy to a rookie in the NFL. Respect, friendship, camaraderie – it all has to be earned by rookies, but Walker said some of the veterans, particularly star linebacker Von Miller, have been gracious.
“With as much success as Von has had, the guy’s still humble,” Walker said. “Just two days ago, I Face-Timed him, just to joke around with him and I had a little conversation with him. That’s the kind of stuff that I like. People who are used to being around here, surrounding me with positive energy and love, that’s what I like and I really look up to those guys, especially Von.”
