Baltimore Ravens Cornerback Tray Walker's NFL Family Lean on Faith After Fatal Bike Accident
Tray Walker's NFL family and friends are leaning on their faith in God after the 23-year-old Baltimore Ravens cornerback was unexpectedly killed when his dirt bike collided with an SUV in Miami, Florida, on March 17.
Walker was a rookie on the Ravens as a 4th round pick in the 2015 draft. Still, he managed to make an impact on the team's coach John Harbaugh.
"Tray was a young man with a good and kind heart. He was humble and loved everything about being part of the Ravens' team," the Coach Harbaugh said in a statement obtained by NFL.com. "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."
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Harbaugh looked to Jesus for peace when reflecting on the young player.
"I'll never forget that smile. He always seemed to be next to me during the national anthem; then we would give each other a big hug," he said. "May he rest in the Peace of Christ Jesus forever."
While Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti and general manager Ozzie Newsome also expressed their condolences and fond memories, others offered specific prayer for Walker's family.
"My heart is heavy as these words come out of my mouth. I pray for Tray's family and his loved ones," defensive backs coach Chris Hewitt said. "In football – both on the field and in the meeting room – you preach to your players to play every play as if it were their last. But to think that we are now going lay a player to rest is unbelievable."
Walker is a Texas Southern graduate whose head college coach Darrell Asberry recognized his God-given talent and predicted it would take him to the NFL.
"I was very pleased to watch him grow and mature as a young man. When I met him, I told him, 'Son, you have NFL written all over you, but it's going to take hard work,'" Asberry recalled. "God gave him a gift and they don't make many men like Tray Walker. It's just been a very difficult time for his family and everyone who knew him."
A number of Ravens players have been vocal about expressing their prayers and support for Walker's family, but safety Terrence Brooks is taking the news especially hard. Brooks took Walker under his wing as a big brother who grew up with similar life experiences.
"I was looking forward to taking that field with him this year, because we both kept up with each other's progress this offseason. I really felt he was going to have a great year," Brooks said. "But one thing I do know is that Tray will never leave my side. He will be watching over me every step of the way. I see just how precious life is, and I will fully dedicate my season to Tray."
