Kenneth Walker III has been the Seattle Seahawks‘ leading rusher in each of the last four years. That title means a bit more this year, though.
Walker has played an integral role in the team’s inspiring run to the top of the NFC West this season under second-year head coach Mike Macdonald. He’s on pace to rush for over 1,000 yards for the second time in his pro career, and the Seahawks are two wins away from clinching the NFC’s No. 1 seed.
Before the Seahawks take on the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, I spoke with Walker, courtesy of Oral-B, the official toothbrush of the NFL.
“The main thing I like about it is the 2-minute counter,” Walker said about Oral-B’s electronic toothbrush. “It tells me when I’m done brushing my teeth, and my old manual toothbrush didn’t do that.”
Walker, who the Seahawks took in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft out of Michigan State, also discussed Sam Darnold, his surprise dislike of BBQ and that two-point conversion that helped the Seahawks beat the Los Angeles Rams in Week 16.
The following interview with Walker has been lightly edited for clarity.
You rushed for 100 yards against the Rams in Week 16. That’s the first time you hit 100 yards since Week 2. What was the difference in the resurgence of the running game?
Walker: I feel like we executed well. We talked about getting the running game going all week, and this week (against the Rams), we made a few adjustments, and the offensive line did a great job.
You and Zach Charbonnet have made a nice 1-2 punch in the backfield for Seattle. What’s it like playing alongside Zach?
Walker: Yeah, Zach and I have been together for a minute. It’s been good to be able to feed off each other. We always talk about that at practice. We’re never really competing against each other, but the other team and whoever is across from us. I always support him, just like he supports me. It’s been great to have him in my corner.
Obviously, an odd 2-point play your team converted to tie the game late against the Rams. What was going through your mind when you watched Zach pick up the ball in the end zone, and your team was later awarded the conversion after replay review?
Walker: At first, I wasn’t even thinking about the whole situation. But we call it EAT drill, and if the ball is on the ground, we want to end up with the ball no matter what — defense, offense or special teams. I’m definitely going to be picking the ball up myself all the time.
Do you feel a win like that over the Rams could be a springboard for the rest of the season?
Walker: Yeah, definitely. I think it’s important to go through adversity. We were down by 16 points, and being able to see the team fight, come back and nobody flinched. We were able to showcase our heart through that game. And I think that’s important.
You mention never flinching. That’s something that Mike Macdonald talks about a lot. What’s it been like to play for him?
Walker: It’s been good. It’s just good to play for someone who really wants to win. And you can feel that energy. He really wants to win. He wants to put us in positions to win. He wants what’s best for the players and the organization. So, it’s been great to play for him.
Sam Darnold also made some big plays late against the Rams. How has he evolved during this season?
Walker: He’s been great since he’s come in. He’s a real funny, energetic person. But he’s also a leader. We went through some adversity in that game with a couple turnovers, but like I said, he never flinched. But he has that same mentality, not too high and not too low. He’s just mellow, so it’s great to have him. And we’re going to need him throughout this stretch.
He has a real dry sense of humor. How would you describe it?
Walker: He’s real sarcastic, and like you said, a real dry sense of humor. First, you think he’s serious, but the whole time, he’ll be joking. So, I had to catch on to that, just getting to know him. But now that we’ve got to know each other, I know exactly how he is.
Sam Darnold and Kenneth Walker have formed one of the NFC’s top QB-RB tandems in the NFC this year. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
I know you’re from Memphis, so what’s your favorite BBQ spot?
Walker: Honestly, bro, growing up I did not like BBQ.
Really?
Walker: I didn’t mind it, but we used to always go to cookouts. So, I was fine with the cookouts. But I would say my favorite restaurant is Ching’s Hot Wings. That would be go-to. Honey gold chicken wings are my favorite.
What was it like being on the sideline watching 44-year-old Philip Rivers play a few weeks ago? And could you play at 44?
Walker: First off, me at 44, I don’t think I’m going to be trying to play at 44 (laughs). But it was cool, because when I was younger, my pops (Kenneth Walker Jr.) used to talk about Philip Rivers. He was a fan of Philip Rivers, so being able to play against a legend was pretty cool to see. Growing up as a kid, you wouldn’t think that you would get a chance to play against someone like that.
Were you surprised at how well Rivers played?
Walker: Yes and no. I wasn’t really surprised because he’s been doing it for a minute, it’s just that to go from being out of the league [for five years] and are available again and do that’s loopy, however I assume he’s simply received it like that.
You’ve talked about nearly quitting soccer throughout your junior yr in highschool. How has that continued to be a motivating think about your profession?
Walker: Yeah, positively. First off, if I had stop, I wouldn’t have made it this far. Additionally, I discuss my pops quite a bit. He’s all the time in my nook, and that’s who helped me get by way of that state of affairs, my pops and my mother (Shaunteshia Brown). They simply advised me to not decide based mostly on emotion.
Me and my coach received into it, and I used to be mad or no matter, I used to be like, I’m just about achieved with soccer. However they instilled in me to not decide based mostly off emotion actually helped me. And I carry that with me to at the present time.
Do you continue to have a relationship with that coach?
Walker: Yeah, Coach [Andrew] Atkins (The previous defensive coordinator at Arlington Excessive College, the place Walker attended college). That’s one among my favourite coaches to at the present time. Even after that, that very same yr, I used to be getting recruited at Wake Forest and he took the day out to drive me to Wake Forest, and that’s a 10-hour drive from Memphis and again. So, that’s 20 hours.
So, he did all of that when my mother and father weren’t in a position to take me at the moment. That caught with me, and I respect him for that. And we positively nonetheless discuss.
Appears to be like like you will have a gymnasium at house and wish to work out. What does that imply for you?
Walker: Yeah, once more, going again to my dad, that’s who actually instilled that in me as a child. I most likely was 4 once I began understanding, and I labored out with my dad 24/7. There can be instances once I didn’t wish to work out, and he would make me. And I’m over right here crying, I had tears in my eyes whereas we have been understanding.
However it introduced me thus far in my life, and I thank him for it. As a child, I didn’t see it that approach. However as I received older, I do know now what he was doing for me. So yeah, meaning quite a bit to me. That’s why I put a gymnasium in my home as a result of I understand how necessary it’s to work exhausting to get to the place you wish to go.”
Kenneth Walker was a star at Michigan State earlier than changing into a standout with the Seahawks, almost successful the Heisman Trophy in 2021. (Photograph by Mike Mulholland/Getty Photographs)
So, you had a gymnasium in your home if you labored out as child?
Walker: Yeah, that entire home was like a gymnasium nearly. You go upstairs and to the left facet you bought ellipticals, treadmills and bikes. After which in my yard, we had like two smaller homes, and we had a wrestling mat and extra gymnasium tools again there. It was loopy.
You couldn’t get away from it?
Walker: No, you have been caught bro (laughs).
Did you wrestle rising up?
Walker: Yeah, I wrestled from fifth to eighth grade. I received state [at 155 pounds] my eighth-grade yr, then I ended wrestling to concentrate on soccer.
What was your go-to wrestling transfer?
Walker: I’d do an ankle decide. Seize him by the top after which drop to the bottom and get them by the ankle.
What’s your recreation match like?
Walker: I’ve been sporting double-breasted fits quite a bit. I like streetwear, too. However the double-breasted fits, I really feel like are only a clear look. I simply really feel like if you look good, you are feeling good and also you play good. That’s just about it.
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