Baltimore Ravens cornerback Tray Walker passed away this past Friday, March 18, 2016. The young 23-year-old was in a horrible dirt bike accident and sustained very serious head injuries, later passing away in a hospital in Miami, where he grew up and attended high school. His teammates in high school included Amari Cooper and Terry Bridgewater, other notable NFL players. His father died not too long ago in 2014 as well, so Tray dedicated his rookie season to him.
Walker was drafted by the Ravens just last year in the fourth round and made an appearance in eight games. Walker attended college at Texas Southern where he recorded 159 tackles and nine interceptions. He was also named to Second Team All- Southwestern Athletic Conference in 2014. He had a lot of potential as a rookie and his teammates grew very fond of him not only as a teammate but as a person in general.
Walker's Ravens teammates all had very kind words about him, especially quarterback Joe Flacco who said: “Tray was a young man who was full of energy and promise. This is very hard to wrap my head around, and I am devastated. As a parent, I cannot imagine what his family is going through right now. All of my thoughts are with them. My hope is that we can be a little bit of help by being a second family for them.” (baltimoreravens.com). Walker's teammates will remember Tray as a young man with a lot of potential, someone who's contagious smile always lit up the room, and someone they will really miss having around. Coach John Harbaugh said: “He was humble and loved everything about being part of the Ravens' team. He loved his teammates, the practice, and the preparation, and that showed every day. He was coachable, did his most to improve and worked to become the best. I’ll never forget that smile.” (Baltimore Sun).
The accident is still under investigation, but it is known that Tray Walker's bike collided with a large SUV. This is a very sad time for Baltimore, the Ravens organization, and especially Walker's family and close friends. He was a young man with a promising life ahead of him, and that was cut short. Wide receiver Steve Smith Sr. said, "It is times like this that make you hug your kids tighter. A mother lost her son today, and a family lost their brother, including us, his extended family. I will miss seeing him every day and seeing that bright smile he always wore." (Baltimore Sun)
Thank you #25, Tray Walker, for giving us a year to watch you play and grow as an NFL quarterback. May you rest in peace and never be forgotten.
Love, Baltimore
