Ravens' Walker Dies In Dirt Bike Accident

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Published on March 21 2016 6:31 am
Last Updated on March 21 2016 6:31 am

Baltimore Ravens cornerback Tray Walker died Friday, one day after being critically injured in a dirt bike accident in Liberty City, Florida. He was 23.

The Ravens announced the news after speaking with Walker's godmother. Walker's agent, Ron Butler, also confirmed his client's death to ESPN.

"Tray was a young man with a good and kind heart," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said in a statement. "He was humble and loved everything about being part of the Ravens' team. He loved his teammates, the practice and the preparation, and that showed every day. He was coachable, did his most to improve and worked to become the best. I'll never forget that smile. He always seemed to be next to me during the national anthem; then we would give each other a big hug. May he rest in the Peace of Christ Jesus forever."

Said receiver Steve Smith Sr.: "Times like this make you hug your kids tighter. A mother lost her son today, and a family lost their brother, including us, his extended family. Tray had a bright future ahead of him outside of football and was a guy who lit up the room with his personality. I will miss seeing him every day and seeing that bright smile he always wore. I pray that his family can find peace. Rest well, Tray."

The Ravens have sent three team officials to Miami to offer their support for the family, the team confirmed to ESPN on Saturday.


Sherman Takes Aim at Goodell

Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman has never had a problem voicing his opinion, and during a SportsCenter interview with ESPN's Jim Trotter on Sunday, he took aim at commissioner Roger Goodell.

Back in February, Goodell recommended a rule that would result in ejections for players who committed two personal fouls during the course of a game. Sherman ripped the idea behind the proposal.

"I think it's foolish," he said. "But it sounds like something somebody who's never played the game would say, something that they would suggest, because he doesn't understand. He's just a face. He's just a suit. He's never stepped foot on the field and understood how you can get a personal foul."

Sherman was recently elected to the NFLPA executive committee and has previously served as the Seahawks' union representative.

He was also asked why the rules governing what a catch is have generated so much controversy.

"Because you've got a bunch of suits doing it," Sherman said. "Like I said before, you don't have a bunch of guys ... let Jerry Rice and Michael Irvin talk about it for about 20, 30 minutes. Maybe Cris Carter. Randy Moss, let those guys have a roundtable discussion about what a catch should be and come up with a rule.

"I guarantee you it'd be more effective than the rule they have now because those are the pass-catchers. Those are some of the best pass-catchers we've had. I think it'd be more straightforward and to the point. You've got a bunch of guys who have never played. They've probably touched a football to hold it out or to shake somebody's hand, to take a picture, but they've never played the game."