:Tyson Walter
{{Short description|American football player (born 1978)}}
{{Use American English|date=March 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| image = Tyson Walter.jpg
| caption = Walter with the Packers in 2006
| number = 71, 72, 70
| position = Center
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 4
| weight_lbs = 303
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1978|3|17}}
| birth_place = Bainbridge, Ohio, U.S.
| high_school = Kenston (OH)
| college = Ohio State
| draftyear = 2002
| draftround = 6
| draftpick = 179
| teams = * Dallas Cowboys ({{NFL Year|2002}}–{{NFL Year|2004}})
- Houston Texans ({{NFL Year|2005}})
- Washington Redskins ({{NFL Year|2006}})
- Green Bay Packers ({{NFL Year|2006}}–{{NFL Year|2007}})
| highlights = * First-team All-Big Ten (2001)
| statlabel1 = Games played
| statvalue1 = 47
| statlabel2 = Games started
| statvalue2 = 9
| pfr = WaltTy20
}}
Tyson Barrett Walter (born March 17, 1978) is an American former professional football player who was a center n the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys, Washington Redskins, and Green Bay Packers. He played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes. He was also a member of the Houston Texans but did not play in any games.
Early life
Walter attended Kenston High School, where he was a two-way player at offensive and defensive tackle. As a senior, he helped his team finish second in the state playoffs, while earning All-Ohio honors.
He accepted a football scholarship from Ohio State University. As a true freshman, he appeared in the first two games as a backup offensive tackle, before being lost with a shoulder sprain and being granted a medical redshirt.
Walter was named the starter at left tackle as a redshirt freshman, replacing the graduated All-American Orlando Pace.{{cite news| url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/08/29/sports/next-generation-takes-first-steps-at-ohio-state.html | title=Next Generation Takes First Steps at Ohio State | work=The New York Times | date=29 August 1997 | access-date=February 19, 2023| last1=Moran | first1=Malcolm }}
In 1999, he was able to start in all games, despite missing most of the summer after undergoing back surgery. He missed the 2000 season due to a hip infection.{{cite web| url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1350&dat=20010826&id=6FxIAAAAIBAJ&sjid=wgMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6560,3375095 | title=Buckeyes want to earn some respect | access-date=February 19, 2023}}
After being granted an additional year of eligibility, he returned as a sixth-year senior to achieve a school record 49 starts (all at left tackle) and earn All-Big Ten honors.
Professional career
=Dallas Cowboys=
Walter was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the sixth round (179th overall) of the 2002 NFL draft.{{cite web| url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1980&dat=20020727&id=TXwiAAAAIBAJ&sjid=rq0FAAAAIBAJ&pg=4617,3894772 | title=Cowboys sign top four draft picks | access-date=February 19, 2023}} He was one of three Ohio State players selected by the Cowboys that year.{{Cite web |title=2002 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2002/draft.htm |access-date=February 19, 2023 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com}}
As a rookie, he made the team even though he was sidelined for most of training camp with a high left ankle sprain. He was declared inactive during the first 4 contests and started 8 games at center after Andre Gurode was moved to right guard.
The next year, Al Johnson was selected to replace him in the starting lineup and improve the center position. Even though Johnson was lost for the season with a knee injury, Matt Lehr was named the starter over Walter.
In 2004, he regained the starter position, but suffered a sprained left knee in the second quarter of the season opener against the Minnesota Vikings, opening the door for Johnson to start the rest of the season at center.
Walter remained a versatile backup and was used in four different positions along the offensive line. On September 3, 2005, he was waived to keep second-year player Ben Noll on the roster.
=Houston Texans=
On November 18, 2005, he signed with the Houston Texans. Although he was a part of the regular roster, he was declared inactive for the last 7 games of the season. He wasn't re-signed after the season.
=Washington Redskins=
On March 23, 2006, the Washington Redskins signed him as a free agent to be the backup center.{{cite web| url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1298&dat=20060325&id=UPMyAAAAIBAJ&sjid=rggGAAAAIBAJ&pg=3244,7610528 | title=Redskins sign two backup linemen | access-date=February 19, 2023}} He was released on October 24.
=Green Bay Packers=
On November 25, 2006, he signed as a free agent with the Green Bay Packers.{{cite web| url=http://www.espn.com/espn/wire?section=nfl&id=2675331 | title=Packers sign Walter, place Blackmon on injured reserve | access-date=February 19, 2023}} On September 1, 2007, he was placed on the injured reserve list and wasn't re-signed after the season.
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
{{Cowboys2002DraftPicks}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Walter, Tyson}}
Category:People from Bainbridge Township, Ohio
Category:Sportspeople from Geauga County, Ohio
Category:Players of American football from Ohio
Category:American football centers
Category:American football offensive tackles
Category:Ohio State Buckeyes football players
Category:Dallas Cowboys players
Category:Houston Texans players
Category:21st-century American sportsmen