September 27, 1998

Ewell Doak (Doak) Walker II

September 27, 1998
Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions Player (1950-1955)
2x NFL Champion
Pro Football Hall of Fame
Number "37" retired by the Lions
SMU Football Player (1945, 1947 - 1949)
3x All American
Heisman Trophy Winner
College Football Hall of Fame

Ewell Doak Walker II

Southern Methodist University Football, Baseball, Basketball Player (1945, 1947 – 1949)
Detroit Lions Player (1950 - 1955)

Doak Walker was born in Dallas, Texas and was a five-sport athlete at Highland Park High School where he helped lead his team to the state championship game. After high school he spent several months in the US Merchhant Marine until he was discharged in time to play five games for SMU. Walker missed 1946 due to military commitments but went back to SMU from 1947 – 1949. His three seasons were outstanding as he was named to the All-America team each season, won the Maxwell award as a sophomore and the Heisman Trophy as a junior, while also lettering on the SMU baseball and basketball teams. Walker was the number three overall selection in the 1949 NFL Draft by the Boston Yanks who eventually traded him to the Detroit Lions. Walker spent his entire six-year NFL career with the Lions, winning Rookie of the Year and helping the Lions win two NFL Championships. He was also named to the Pro-Bowl team five times and named All-Pro five times. When he retired after the 1955 season, he was the NFL’s third all-time leading scorer. Doak Walker had his number “37” retired by the Detroit Lions was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1986, was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1959 and was inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 1967. He passed away on September 27, 1998 at 71 years of age.

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