- Wesley Walls
Infobox NFLretired
|caption=
position=Tight End
number=89, 85
birthdate=birth date and age|1966|3|26Batesville, Mississippi
debutyear=1989
finalyear=2003
draftyear=1989
draftround=2
draftpick=56
college=Mississippi
teams=
*San Francisco 49ers (1989-1993)
*New Orleans Saints (1994-1995)
*Carolina Panthers (1996-2002)
*Green Bay Packers (2003)
stat1label=Receptions
stat1value=450
stat2label=Receiving Yards
stat2value=5,291
stat3label=Touchdowns
stat3value=54
nfl=WAL531069
highlights=
* 5xPro Bowl selection (1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001)
* 4xAll-Pro selection (1996, 1997, 1999, 2001)
HOF=
CollegeHOF=Charles Wesley Walls (born
March 26 ,1966 inBatesville, Mississippi ) is a formerAmerican football tight end who played 14 seasons in theNational Football League .Early career
Walls played high school football in
Pontotoc, Mississippi . He spent his first three years as aquarterback atSouth Pontotoc High School . Before his senior year, he transferred toPontotoc High , the rival high school. Walls' transfer caused such an uproar in the area, the case went to court, and Walls' eligibility for baseball and basketball was denied. He switched to fullback his senior year, and made the all-state team.College career
Walls' ability at Pontotoc High earned him a scholarship to the
University of Mississippi . He actually playeddefensive end for three years, but became alinebacker in his senior year. In addition, he playedtight end . In a rare move under today's football system, Walls actually started both positions in a game againstMemphis State University . After realizing that playing both offense and defense would be too much, he became the team's permanent tight end. He was still utilized on third-down situations as a pass rusher, however. He earnedAll-America honors as a senior.Pro career
Walls was drafted in the second round (56th overall) by the
San Francisco 49ers in the1989 NFL Draft . Despite early success in his career, including catching a nine-yard pass in the 49ers 55-10 slaughter of theDenver Broncos inSuper Bowl XXIV , he was second on the depth chart behind All-ProBrent Jones . He spent the entire1992 NFL season and1993 NFL season oninjured reserve because of nagging shoulder injuries. In 1994, he signed as afree agent with theNew Orleans Saints . Walls spent two seasons with the Saints, setting the team record for tight end receptions in 1995 with 57. He then signed a deal with theCarolina Panthers to become their starting tight end. It was in Carolina that Walls finally broke out as a player. He made thePro Bowl five times: 1996-1999, and 2001 (he was injured during most of the2000 NFL season , presumably the reason he didn't make the team that year). While at Carolina, he was also the back-up punter toKen Walter . He signed with theGreen Bay Packers for the2003 NFL season , mostly backing upBubba Franks , and retired the following year. Walls finished his career with 450 catches for 5,291 yards and 54 touchdowns. Upon hisretirement , he was considered one of the premier tight ends in the game.External links
* [http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=57 Wesley Walls] at [http://www.espn.com ESPN.com]
* [http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/WallWe00.htm Career statistics at Pro Football Reference]
* [http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/events/1997/nflpreview/FEATURES/wesleywalls.html Sports Illustrated story on Wesley Walls]
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