SAN JOSE, CALIF. – Denver defensive lineman Vance Walker, who rotates in at end in the Broncos' 3-4, is elated about getting ready to play in Super Bowl 50.
Walker, a former Georgia Tech standout who was drafted by the Falcons in the seventh round of the 2009 draft, played four seasons in Atlanta before signing with Oakland as a free agent. He played with the Chiefs in 2014 before landing with the Broncos.
“It’s great just being at the Super Bowl,” Walker said on Monday. “It’s certainly a thrill. It hadn’t hit me that we are in the Super Bowl. I knew we were playing, but it didn’t hit me until I got off the plane and saw all of those cameras. I have never been a part of anything like this.”
Walker journey as a late pick has been an improbable one.
“I’ve always been positive,” Walker said. “Last year was my toughest year, just being released like that. I’ve been signing one-year deals, so it wasn’t anything that wasn’t unplanned but nonetheless I’ve always been positive. Even when I left the Falcons. I know it wasn’t anything with my skill-set, but politics are politics.”
The Falcons elected to open the 2013 season with Peria Jerry and Corey Peters at defensive tackle and kept Travian Robertson on the roster.
They wanted Walker to return.
“But at the end of the day I had to try to become the best player that I could and what not,” Walker said. “It’s definitely been an uphill battle, but to be able to see the fruits of your labor pay off, it’s very rewarding.”
He harbors no ill will toward the Falcons.
“I loved the friendships that I made and I love the fans,” Walker said. “Even now, the Falcons fans still reach out to me. I still live in Atlanta so I’ll be fond of the Falcons fan. They were always nice to me. But everything happens for a reason.
“I can’t take anything away from them. The Falcons wanted me to come back after my fourth year, but I wanted to go on and be my own person. Be my own player. I wanted to grow. I didn’t want to keep being a backup. I love the Falcons. I had a great time when I was there. I have no regrets.”
Walker, who played seven snaps against New England in the AFC championship game, is enjoying the Super Bowl trip.
“Being with the Broncos has been a ride,” Walker said. “Just the coaching staff that they brought it. I really couldn’t foresee having the success like this with us having a new coach, a new defensive coordinator, but we really came together as a team and as a defense.”
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