University of Tennessee Athletics
1970 Football Roster
Roster
Jackie Walker
- Position:
- Linebacker
- Height:
- 6-0
- Weight:
- 188
- Class:
- Junior
- Hometown:
- Knoxville, Tenn.
- High School:
- Fulton High School
Jackie Walker refined the role of linebacker at Tennessee, turning it into a hard-hitting, yet sleek position with his small body and skillful tactics. The first Black football All-American in Southeastern Conference history, Walker was a two-time All-America for the Vols his junior and senior years. In 1970, Tennessee's daunting defense collected 36 interceptions for a seemingly untouchable school record. Walker led the Vols with 82 tackles and 42 assists. He finished his career with 11 interceptions, more than anyone who wasn't a defensive back during his time. He returned those picks for 281 yards and a then-NCAA record five touchdowns. His 281 interception-return yards ranked fourth at the time on Tennessee's all-time chart behind three defensive backs—all his teammates. On Sept. 2, 2021, Walker was among four Black Tennessee football trailblazers who were honored with statues of their likeness dedicated outside of Gate 21 at Neyland Stadium.
Career Totals
- Games: 31
- Tackles: 258
- Tackles-For-Loss: 12
- Sacks: 2
- Interceptions: 11
- INT Return Yards: 281
- INT Return for Touchdowns: 5
- Forced Fumbles: 6
- Fumble Recoveries: 4
CAREER HONORS
- 1971 first-team All-America
- 1971 first-team All-SEC
- 1970 first-team All-America
- 1970 first-team All-SEC
1971 - SENIOR
- Selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the sixth round of the 1972 NFL Draft.
- Earned first-team All-America honors.
- Named first-team All-SEC by the UPI.
- Was elected as a team captain, making him the first Black captain on any SEC football team.
- Made 126 stops with three TFLs, three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.
- Picked off four passes, returning them for a career-high 112 yards and two TDs.
- Off the field, Walker played Sasha in the UT production of “Fiddler on the Roof” in 1971.
1970 - JUNIOR
- A first-team All-America selection (the first-ever Black football All-American from the SEC) and an AP and UPI first-team All-SEC honoree.
- Set a career-high with 132 tackles to go along with two sacks, nine TFLs, three caused fumbles and one fumble recovery.
- Intercepted a career-high five passes, returning them for 88 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
1969 - SOPHOMORE
- In his first full season of action, he played in 10 games for the Vols.
- Had two interceptions for a total of 81 return yards, including one return for a touchdown.
1968 - FRESHMAN
- Under NCAA rules at the time, freshman were not eligible for varsity competition.
- Walker developed as a member of Tennessee's 1968 freshman roster.
PERSONAL
- Full name is Jackie Eugene Walker
- Graduated from Knoxville's Fulton High School, where he was coached by Lon Herzbrun
- Helped lead Fulton to an undefeated season and a state championship in 1967
- Son of Violet Walker
- Jackie Walker passed away in 2002
