Delanie Walker Family Tragedy

Feb 3, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; Baltimore Ravens cornerback Cary Williams (29) hangs on to San Francisco 49ers tight end Delanie Walker (46) for a tackle in the second quarter in Super Bowl XLVII at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

Monday February 4th, just a few hours after the San Francisco 49ers fell to the Baltimore Ravens 34-31 in Super Bowl XLVII, Delanie Walker received some terrible news. His Aunt and Uncle, Alice and Bryan Young of Pomona, California traveled to New Orleans to watch their nephew play in the big game. Walker threw a key block near the goal-line taking out Ed Reed, allowing teammate Frank Gore to rush into the end zone to score to trim away at Baltimore’s lead after the bizarre power-outage in the 2nd half of the game. San Francisco looked as if they were going to come from behind, down 22 points in the post-season finale with over a minute left and the ball on the 5 yard line. Kaepernick’s threw an incomplete pass to wide-receiver Michael Crabtree on 4th and goal, giving the ball back to the Ravens who take a safety and ended the game with a punt to Ted Ginn, Jr.

The purple confetti rained down onto the field, showering both the winners and losers of the game. Delanie Walker and his teammates walked to the locker room, did what they had to do (interviews, etc.) and exited the stadium. Early the next morning, Walker was contacted and delivered the news nobody ever hopes they get. At 5:30 a.m., Alice and Bryan Young were stopped on the shoulder of Interstate 10 in St. Charles Parish, when a drunk driver (identified as 26 year old Houston native Nechole Thomas) struck their car, taking the lives of Walkers relatives. The Houston native was arrested under suspicion of vehicular homicide, driving while intoxicated and reckless operation of a vehicle. Walker also invited his little cousin (Alice and Bryan Young’s son) DeAndre Williams who plays football in high school, but declined to focus on schoolwork and practice. Delanie Walker sent out a tweet yesterday morning saying:

"“I’m going to miss y’all but I know they are in a better place.” – via @DWalker46 on twitter. In which he posted a picture taken of himself, aunt and uncle on instagram."

On behalf of the NFL Spin Zone and Fansided staff, I would like to send condolences to Delanie Walker and his family.