Stan Walters
{{Short description|American football player (born 1948)}}
{{for|the New Zealand rugby league international|Stan Walters (rugby league)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{good article}}
{{Use American English|date=March 2023}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Stan Walters
| image =
| image_size =
| caption =
| number = 75
| position = Offensive tackle
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1948|5|27}}
| birth_place = Rutherford, New Jersey, U.S.
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 6
| weight_lbs = 275
| high_school = St. Mary (NJ)
| college = Syracuse
| draftyear = 1972
| draftround = 9
| draftpick = 210
| pastteams =
- Cincinnati Bengals ({{NFL Year|1972}}–{{NFL Year|1974}})
- Philadelphia Eagles ({{NFL Year|1975}}–{{NFL Year|1983}})
| highlights =
| statseason =
| statlabel1 = Games played
| statvalue1 = 153
| pfr = WaltSt00
}}
Stanley Peter Walters Jr. (born May 27, 1948) is an American former professional football player who was an offensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL). After playing college football for Syracuse Orange, he was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the ninth round of the 1972 NFL draft. He spent three years with the Bengals, starting at left tackle for the majority of his tenure, before he was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles in 1975. A two-time Pro Bowl selection with the Eagles, Walters started in 122 consecutive games at left tackle in his nine years with the team. Following his retirement, he was a radio color commentator for the Eagles from 1984 through 1997.
Early years
Walters grew up a New York Giants fan in Rutherford, New Jersey.{{cite news |author=Berkow, Ira |title=Eagles' tackle was Giant fan |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=nddOAAAAIBAJ&sjid=VhMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6699,5814880 |newspaper=Star-News |date=December 27, 1981 |access-date=2012-01-02|author-link=Ira Berkow }} His father worked as a machinist in Jersey City, New Jersey. Walters first attended Bordentown Military Institute in Bordentown, New Jersey, before transferring to St. Mary High School in Rutherford.{{cite news |title=Bengal Bodyguard |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1973/02/03/archives/new-jersey-sports-bengal-bodyguard.html |newspaper=The New York Times |date=February 3, 1973 |access-date=December 3, 2020}} He lettered in football and basketball in high school.{{cite news |author=Roberts, Jeff |title=Where are they now? Stan Walters |url=http://www.northjersey.com/sports/106500543_Walters__Rutherford_s__lucky_man_.html |work=The Record |date=November 1, 2010 |access-date=2012-01-04}}
College career
Walters was a two-year letterman in football for Syracuse University,{{cite web |title=Stanley Walters, Football, 1970-71 |url=http://www.suathletics.com/sports/2005/5/31/swalters.aspx |publisher=Syracuse University Athletics |access-date=2012-03-23}} and started at left guard in his senior season in 1971.{{cite news |title=Syracuse Shuns Turmoil, Seeks Lambert Trophy |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=jfojAAAAIBAJ&sjid=cGYEAAAAIBAJ&pg=7421,2815501 |newspaper=Sarasota Herald-Tribune |date=August 24, 1971 |access-date=2012-01-02}} He participated in the Senior Bowl in 1971.{{cite web |title=Senior Bowl |url=http://www.suathletics.com/sports/2008/2/8/seniorbowl.aspx |publisher=Syracuse University Athletics |access-date=2012-03-23}} He majored in history at Syracuse.{{cite news |author=Mulligan, Kevin |title=London Awaits; Analyst Walters Calls It A Career |url=http://articles.philly.com/1997-12-22/sports/25557174_1_reese-eagles-merrill |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160102120453/http://articles.philly.com/1997-12-22/sports/25557174_1_reese-eagles-merrill |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 2, 2016 |newspaper=Philadelphia Daily News |date=December 22, 1997 |access-date=2012-01-04}} He was selected to the Syracuse All-Century team in 1999.
Professional career
Walters was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the ninth round (210th overall) of the 1972 NFL draft.{{cite news |title=These 'Vagabonds' Are Surely Super |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=E_ghAAAAIBAJ&sjid=AaIFAAAAIBAJ&pg=4364,3611235 |newspaper=Reading Eagle |date=January 15, 1981 |access-date=2012-01-02}} He began the 1972 season on the team's taxi squad, and he was promoted to the starting roster midway through the season owing to an injury to starter Rufus Mayes. Walters started the remaining eight games of the season at left offensive tackle. An unknown illness in 1973 resulted in his losing 14 pounds in a 10-day span and missing a game against the Cleveland Browns on October 6.{{cite news |title=Ticket Holder's Request for TV Ban Is Denied |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=MNsjAAAAIBAJ&sjid=2igEAAAAIBAJ&pg=7322,2437491 |newspaper=The Milwaukee Journal |date=October 6, 1973 |access-date=2012-01-02 |archive-date=November 17, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117040113/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=MNsjAAAAIBAJ&sjid=2igEAAAAIBAJ&pg=7322,2437491 |url-status=dead }} He played in only four games that season.{{cite web |title=Stan Walters 1973 Game Logs |url=http://www.nfl.com/player/stanwalters/2528188/gamelogs?season=1973 |work=NFL.com |access-date=2012-01-04}} He returned as a starter in 1974 and played in all fourteen games.{{cite web |title=Stan Walters 1974 Game Logs |url=http://www.nfl.com/player/stanwalters/2528188/gamelogs?season=1974 |work=NFL.com |access-date=2012-01-04}}
The Bengals traded Walters and quarterback Wayne Clark to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for quarterback John Reaves and a 1976 second-round draft pick (which was used on guard Glenn Bujnoch){{cite book |title=Strong Arm Tactics |last=Maxymuk |first=John |year=2008 |publisher=McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers |location=Jefferson, North Carolina |isbn=978-0-7864-3277-6 |page=333 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ALSWIBwNvnwC |access-date=2012-01-02}} on July 3, 1975.{{cite news |title=Reaves Traded To Bengals |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=XhEjAAAAIBAJ&sjid=9s0FAAAAIBAJ&pg=5317,1507870 |newspaper=The Palm Beach Post |date=July 4, 1975 |access-date=2012-01-02 |archive-date=November 17, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117035236/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=XhEjAAAAIBAJ&sjid=9s0FAAAAIBAJ&pg=5317,1507870 |url-status=dead }} Walters considered a meeting with head coach Dick Vermeil before the 1976 season as the critical moment in his playing career.{{cite book |title=The Eagles Encyclopedia |last1=Didinger |first1=Ray |authorlink1=Ray Didinger |last2=Lyons |first2=Robert S. |year=2005 |publisher=Temple University |location=Philadelphia |isbn=1-59213-449-1 |page=90 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yV7lvstPuqgC |access-date=2012-01-05}} Vermeil, who had just been hired by the Eagles, told Walters that if he did not start playing better he would be released. Walters said, "It shook me up. It definitely made a difference." He started in every game from 1975 through 1982 at left tackle.{{cite web |title=Stan Walters |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WaltSt00.htm |publisher=pro-football-reference.com |access-date=2012-01-04}} Harvey Martin, a defensive end who played for the Dallas Cowboys and frequently played against Walters, called Walters the smartest offensive tackle in the league during his career.
Walters earned two consecutive Pro Bowl selections, in 1978 and 1979. In 1979, Walters blocked for running back Wilbert Montgomery, who rushed for a team-record 1,512 yards.{{cite news |title=Chicago at Philadelphia |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=AgEtAAAAIBAJ&sjid=zc0FAAAAIBAJ&pg=6976,2374282 |newspaper=The Palm Beach Post |date=December 22, 1979 |access-date=2012-01-02 |archive-date=November 17, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117032025/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=AgEtAAAAIBAJ&sjid=zc0FAAAAIBAJ&pg=6976,2374282 |url-status=dead }} In 1980 he did not allow any sacks{{cite book |title=The Blind Side |last=Lewis |first=Michael |author-link=Michael Lewis (author) |year=2006 |publisher=W. W. Norton & Company |location=New York City |isbn=978-0-393-06123-9 |pages=105–106 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RIPdMkiKipMC |access-date=2012-01-05}} as the team's largest player at {{convert|275|lb|kg}}.{{cite news |author=Hubbuch, Bart |title=Stronger and faster, NFL players also getting bigger |url=http://jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/091502/jag_10451902.html |newspaper=The Florida Times-Union |date=September 15, 2002 |access-date=2012-01-05}} He injured his back in the first half of the 1981 NFC Championship Game against the Dallas Cowboys, but took a painkiller shot to go back into the game to help the team rush for 263 yards and advance to the Super Bowl. Walters played in Super Bowl XV against the Oakland Raiders. The Eagles lost the game, 27–10. Walters was limited by a strained knee in the beginning of the 1981 season.
Walters re-signed with the Eagles before training camp in 1983. He played in the first preseason game against the Detroit Lions, but had to leave the game due to an injury. Three days later, on August 8, he announced his retirement from football, saying "After 12 years of playing in the NFL, I earned the right to go to my head coach and just say I've fought my battle. It's over."{{cite news |title=Walters Bids Farewell |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=GHxiAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Z3cNAAAAIBAJ&pg=3659,1455139 |newspaper=Observer-Reporter |date=August 9, 1983 |access-date=2012-01-02}} However, when his replacement, Dean Miraldi, suffered a sprained knee in the next preseason game, Walters ended his week-long retirement to re-join the Eagles on August 15.{{cite news |title=Walters ends retirement |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=vIE0AAAAIBAJ&sjid=AegFAAAAIBAJ&pg=1460,1495147 |newspaper=Gettysburg Times |date=August 16, 1983 |access-date=2012-01-02}} The contract offered to him included a clause that the organization would put up a barn next to his house.{{cite book |title=Merrill Reese: It's Gooooood! |last1=Reese |first1=Merrill |author-link=Merrill Reese |last2=Eckel |first2=Mark |year=1998 |publisher=Sports Publishing |location=Champaign, Illinois |isbn=1-58261-000-2 |page=3 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kLUG8ZeXaucC |access-date=2012-01-05}} He re-injured his knee against the St. Louis Cardinals on September 25 and had to leave the game.{{cite news |title=Eagles' Offense Missing in Action |url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=PI&s_site=philly&p_multi=PI&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB2963DCEC8DB1C&p_field_direct-0=document_id |newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer |date=September 26, 1983 |access-date=2012-01-02}} {{subscription required}} Before the November 20 game against the New York Giants, Walters was benched, along with four other starters, by head coach Marion Campbell in an attempt to rejuvenate the team with younger players after five straight losses.{{cite news |title=Eagles Make Changes |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=zihJAAAAIBAJ&sjid=iQYNAAAAIBAJ&pg=4512,3550060 |newspaper=The Hour |date=November 19, 1983 |access-date=2012-01-03}} He finished the season with ten starts in twelve games. He ended a streak of 122 consecutive starts at left tackle for the Eagles during the 1983 season.
In 1991, Walters was inducted in the Philadelphia Eagles Ring of Honor with fellow offensive tackle Jerry Sisemore.{{cite news |author=Caldwell, Dave |title=Kotite Clearing Path For Youth On Troubled Offensive Line |url=http://articles.philly.com/1991-10-30/sports/25813072_1_guards-antone-davis-eagles-coach-rich-kotite |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160101064015/http://articles.philly.com/1991-10-30/sports/25813072_1_guards-antone-davis-eagles-coach-rich-kotite |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 1, 2016 |work=The Philadelphia Inquirer |date=October 30, 1991 |access-date=2012-01-04}}
After football
After retiring from football again after the 1983 season,{{cite news |author=Rosenfeld, Ira |title=Redskins tabbed for another Super Bowl berth |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=qipfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=F08NAAAAIBAJ&pg=2535,1943655 |newspaper=Bangor Daily News |date=August 20, 1984 |access-date=2012-01-04}} Walters worked alongside Merrill Reese as a radio color commentator for the Eagles from 1984 to 1997 before he moved to Cobham, England when his wife, Kathy, got transferred in her job in the paper industry.{{cite news |author=Sheridan, Phil and Marcia C. Smith |title=Dunn's Night Is Painful From Start |url=http://articles.philly.com/1998-08-07/sports/25726067_1_jason-dunn-eagles-jets |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150922130108/http://articles.philly.com/1998-08-07/sports/25726067_1_jason-dunn-eagles-jets |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 22, 2015 |newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer |date=August 7, 1998 |access-date=2012-01-04}} The couple had previously lived in Alpharetta, Georgia. He and his wife lived in England for five years while Walters raised their two children. {{As of|November 2010}}, Walters resides in Atlanta, Georgia.
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Bengals1972DraftPicks}}
{{Eagles Honor Roll}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Walters, Stan}}
Category:Sportspeople from Rutherford, New Jersey
Category:Players of American football from Atlanta
Category:Players of American football from Bergen County, New Jersey
Category:American football offensive tackles
Category:Cincinnati Bengals players
Category:National Conference Pro Bowl players
Category:Philadelphia Eagles announcers
Category:Philadelphia Eagles players
Category:St. Mary High School (Rutherford, New Jersey) alumni