Kenny Walker

Born April 6, 1967 in Crane, Texas, Hewas the youngest of six children. When Kenny was 2 years old he contracted spinal meningitis which deprived him of his ability to hear. His family would go on to help him adjust to his new life, his two older brothers Darren and Gus wouldn't allow Kenny to have a self-pity party. "If I was pouting, or wanted sympanthy, they'd deck me" Walker told Tom Keyser of the Calgary Herald.

Kenny's parents would go on to seperate and his mother would move the children to Denver, Colorado. This is where Kenny a would attend a deaf program at the University of Denver. Kenny was a natural athlete and when he was in the 10th grade he would try out and make the school's football team. His position would be as a defensive end and split end. Given his natural talent to play sports, after graduating high school, Kenny was offered a scholorship to attend the University of Nebraska.

In the 1990's, Kenny would make his professional footbal debut. He would become the first deaf football player to play in the National Football league in nearly 20 years. Kenny would be a defensive lineman for the Denver Bronco's in 1991 and 1992. Kenny would pick up his plays by reading the lips of the other players. After playing with the Bronco's for two years, Kenny would go on to be the first deaf player for the Canadian Football League (CFL).