Updates 

2/2/13 - WWL TV sports reporter Juan Kincaid speaks with Devon and his family about Devon's injury and the progress he's making in physical therapy.

Watch the video

12/17/12 - A message from Devon: On Thursday, Nov. 29, Devon celebrated his 22nd birthday along with some special friends. New Orleans Saints players and coaches visited Devon at his rehab facility and spent time talking and joking with No. 18. Drew Brees, Joe Vitt, Jonathan Vilma, Pierre Thomas, Roman Harper, Malcolm Jenkins, Marques Colston, Lance Moore, Will Smith and Zach Strief were among the visitors.

Read the full message and see the photos

11/14/12 - Augusto Martinez (B ’90), director of the Tulane Club chapter of Quito Ecuador, visited with Devon Walker during Homecoming weekend. Below is a note he wrote describing his visit.

"I wanted to share with you a great visit I had last week, with our Tulane football player and senior, Devon Walker, who got injured in the second game of the season. As some of you know, I had a similar injury, which I was blessed to fully recover from.

"When Devon had his injury, I wrote him a letter and I asked the Athletic Director if I could visit him before our Board meeting. The visit was amazing, we connected incredibly well from the first minute. I gave him a book from Ecuador, with lots of pictures of animals, plants and landscapes, since he is biology major, I assumed he must be interested in those things and he definitely was. I told him he must get well to go visit these places together.

"During my two hour visit, for about thirty minutes, we had a chance to be by ourselves and I told him he must confront adversity and every day be motivated and inspired, always have the right attitude, show courage, have faith and fight every day to be stronger, to be tougher, to be smarter and rise over the top, to recover from this injury. We talked about the things that worked for me when I was in the same situation: among other things, I mentioned meditation and the need to visualize in his mind his injury healing.

"According to ancient philosophy, we have two birthrights, one is to be happy and the other to be healthy. Sometimes the second one gets taken away from us and we have to work hard to regain it.

"In that hospital, I saw a man with so much courage and a positive attitude, it was a lot better than what I expected and I am happy to report he is improving slowly but surely. Momma Walker is always at his side, she is a rock, I also spoke with her, recommending she take good care of herself and sharing all the experiences my mother went through, when I was at the hospital.

"I knew in my heart, that this visit was the right thing to do, I thought it was going to be emotionally draining for me, but it was so uplifting, I was touched so profoundly in so many ways, that it is hard to describe; when I left the hospital, I felt it was a humbling experience, I was so inspired and I remember all the things I learned when I was in that situation and probably some of them, I might have forgotten over time.

"The next morning, before I took my plane back to South America, I talked to the football team, I told them about Devon in general terms and one of the things I mentioned, is that the true measure of a champion is not always in the scoreboard, it is in the amount of heart you put on the things you do, and how you honor what you do in life, giving your best effort and never giving up. Devon is a true Tulane Champion. -- All the best, Augusto Martinez"

10/17/12 - Devon Walker continues his recovery efforts at a comprehensive in-patient rehabilitation center, where he arrived on Sept. 18.  

We received this update from the Walker family today.  Meanwhile, the family continues to ask for privacy and does not wish to disclose the location of the rehab facility.

Statement from Tulane Senior Safety Devon Walker:
"Thank you everyone for your prayers and well-wishes.  This has been so hard on my family and friends.  I can't begin to tell you how grateful I am for your generosity and support.  I especially want to thank everyone who sent cards and letters.  I read each and every one.   They give me the inspiration to keep on pushing.  Your words of encouragement are helping me so much.  Thank you also to those who organize, attend and contribute in countless ways to the many fundraisers being held in my honor.  I am truly blessed. Please continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers. -- Love You All, Devon Walker #18"

Statement from the Walker Family
"Devon is in good spirits and getting stronger every day.  His days are filled with classes to educate him on his injury and the effect it has on his body, as well as therapy, therapy, and more therapy.  He went outside into the garden recently and felt the sun; that was the best therapy of all!  His spirits are high and he's moving full speed ahead.  Thanks to all of you who have reached out to inspire him with your personal stories of success after similar injuries.  Please continue to pray for God's guidance as his physicians and healthcare professionals work toward his recovery.  -- The Walker Family"

9/18/12 - Statement from Booker and Inez Walker, Parents of Tulane Senior Safety Devon Walker:
"We are pleased to have completed the transfer of Devon to a comprehensive in-patient rehabilitation center to continue his recovery. We want to express our appreciation and gratitude to Mr. Bill Warren and the wonderful doctors and staff of St. Francis Hospital in Tulsa, who provided immediate care for our son. We'll be forever grateful for their devotion to Devon’s well-being.

"We will now focus on the next phase of Devon's recovery and ask that all the prayers, well-wishes and support continue with him through his journey. We appreciate everyone's understanding of our request for privacy as we focus on his recovery."

9/17/12 - Devon remains in St. Francis Hospital in Tulsa after he was injured during the Tulsa-Tulane football game on Sept. 8.  He continues to recover from last week's injury. He is alert and actively participating in respiratory and other therapies that are part of his recovery. His physicians are planning to move Devon to another facility within the next 24-48 hours where he will continue to rehabilitate from his injury.

The Walker family has asked that we not disclose the name or location of the facility to which he will be moved.  They are extremely grateful for the many prayers, donations and words of support they have received. They ask for everyone's understanding and for privacy during Devon's rehabilitation.

9/14/12 - After an extensive therapy session, Devon was able to have some liquids today and some ice cream. This brought a big smile to his face. He also had time to enjoy some of the cards that have come in from Tulane and all over the country.

9/13/12 - Devon had his room rearranged today to change his view and scenery. He looks forward to the arrival of his sister tomorrow for a visit. He continues to receive tremendous support and his care team is amazing.

9/12/12 - Devon had a full day of therapy, with good periods of rest as he continues with his recovery. The staff of St. Francis continues to deliver outstanding care and the positive impact of community (Family, Tulane Family and Tulsa) is felt every moment.

9/11/12 - The news from St. Francis Hospital in Tulsa is that Devon continues his recovery with many members of his family at his side. He continues to be alert and responsive. The hospital’s medical staff is providing excellent care for Devon and is making every effort to ensure his family is as comfortable as possible. Devon and his family are receiving hundreds of messages from well-wishers from around the globe. His family is deeply appreciative of all the prayers and good thoughts being sent their way, and they ask that everyone continue to respect their wishes for privacy as they help their son in his recovery.

9/10/12 - Tulane Athletics Director Rick Dickson stepped to the press conference microphone in Tulsa, Okla., this afternoon (Sept. 10) with a heavy responsibility — talking to the news media about injured Tulane student-athlete Devon Walker, who had spinal surgery yesterday at St. Francis Hospital in Tulsa.

Doctors have said that it’s too early to draw conclusions about Devon’s progress. Dickson added that Devon “is alert and responsive.” He praised the work of the St. Francis medical professionals “in giving this young man the best care we could hope for. We are unbelievably appreciative of what’s been done here.”

Devon’s parents, Inez and Booker asked Tulane Athletics Director Rick Dickson to convey their family’s sincere thanks and appreciation for the amazing outpouring of prayers and support for Devon.

They asked Rick Dickson to read this statement on their behalf:

“We have been overwhelmed by the amount of concerned well wishes we have received from all over the world. Although we cannot respond individually to all, we thank everyone for the love and support shown to Devon and our family. The medical care that our son has received so far has been outstanding. We are also very grateful for the care and concern shown to us by those here at Tulsa University, in the City of Tulsa, at Tulane University and of course by everyone at home in New Orleans.

We appreciate you respecting our family’s request for privacy. We do ask that you continue to keep Devon in your prayers.”

9/9/12 - According to Tulane University's team physician Dr. Greg Stewart, Devon Walker underwent surgery this afternoon.  In a three hour surgery at St. Francis hospital in Tulsa, neurosurgeons stabilized his spine.  He is now in recovery and we anticipate Devon will remain in ICU for the next few days.  He is in stable condition and it will be several days before we can assess his condition post-surgery.


9/8/12 - Devon Walker sustained a cervical spine fracture during the Green Wave game in Tulsa, Okla. He is at St. Francis Hospital in Tulsa where he is in stable condition. Currently, he is in traction with a lot of swelling in his neck and he is undergoing treatment for the swelling. The current plan is for him to have surgery in the next one to two days. He is being treated by specialists. The Tulsa physicians did a great job taking care of Devon.