Tulane Athletics to permanently retire Devon Walker’s No. 18 in all sports

Jersey to be officially retired this fall during a Tulane Football game

NEW ORLEANS – Tulane University Ben Weiner Director of Athletics Chair Troy Dannen announced today that the institution would officially retire former Green Wave student-athlete Devon Walker’s No. 18 jersey from competition among all athletic teams.

Beginning at the start of the 2018-19 season no Tulane student-athlete will ever wear the No. 18 jersey again.

“Devon has shown incredible courage in the face of unspeakable adversity,” Dannen said. “He is truly an inspiration to everyone. I am thrilled we can honor his legacy in perpetuity.”

Tulane Athletics will hold the jersey retirement ceremony at a football game this fall. The department will announce the official jersey retirement date prior to the 2018 season.

Since suffering a career-ending spinal injury in the second game of his senior campaign in 2012, Walker has gone on to serve as an inspiration to his fellow teammates and local community.

Walker graduated from Tulane in 2014 with a degree in cell and molecular biology. He also has founded the Devon Walker Foundation, an organization that helps those with spinal cord injuries.

He is currently working toward his master’s degree in neuroscience at Tulane.

As a member of the Tulane football program, Walker was a four-year letterman. He finished his career with 58 tackles (43 solo, 15 assists), 2.0 tackles for loss, four pass break-ups and one forced fumble.

Following his injury, Walker received the Disney Spirit Award, an honor given annually by Disney Sports to college football’s most inspirational figures. Walker earned the award after he exhibited tremendous courage and perseverance following his spinal cord injury.