Ward Walsh
{{Short description|American football player (born 1947)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{good article}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Ward Walsh
| position = Running back
| number = 32, 26
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1948|11|21}}
| birth_place = Los Angeles County, California, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 0
| weight_lbs = 213
| high_school = Trinity (CA)
| college = Colorado (1967–1970)
| undraftedyear = 1971
| pastteams =
- Houston Oilers ({{NFL Year|1971|1972}})
- Green Bay Packers ({{NFL Year|1972|1973}})
| statlabel1 = Rushing attempts
| statvalue1 = 39
| statlabel2 = Rushing yards
| statvalue2 = 165
| statlabel3 = Receptions
| statvalue3 = 10
| statlabel4 = Receiving yards
| statvalue4 = 58
| statlabel5 = Touchdowns
| statvalue5 = 2
| statlabel6 = Kick returns
| statvalue6 = 1
}}
Ward Walsh (born November 21, 1948) is a former American football running back who played two seasons in the National Football League (NFL) for the Houston Oilers and Green Bay Packers. He made the Oilers as an undrafted free agent in 1971 and was released by the team in 1972. He then joined the Packers and played with them until being released in 1973.
Early life
Walsh was born on November 21, 1948, in Los Angeles County, California.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WalsWa00.htm|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|title=Ward Walsh Stats|access-date=2018-03-28|archive-date=2017-07-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170713015723/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WalsWa00.htm|url-status=live}} He attended Trinity High School in Weaverville, California; as a junior in 1965, he was named All-Superior California and All-Shasta Cascade League (SCL) after leading Trinity to the league title with 14 touchdowns at fullback, additionally being selected the league's player of the year.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sacramento-bee/133812862/|newspaper=The Sacramento Bee|via=Newspapers.com|date=December 5, 1965|page=91|title=Shasta-Cascade League|access-date=October 21, 2023|archive-date=October 25, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231025220507/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sacramento-bee/133812862/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sacramento-bee/133812985/|newspaper=The Sacramento Bee|via=Newspapers.com|date=September 11, 1966|page=126|title=Weed, Trinity Will Be Shasta-Cascade Powers|access-date=October 21, 2023|archive-date=October 25, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231025220527/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sacramento-bee/133812985/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}} He helped Trinity to another conference title as he ran for 1,404 yards and averaged 8.0 yards-per-carry as a senior, being named All-Superior California, the SCL player of the year and first-team All-Northern California while placing second in the conference with 150 points scored.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sacramento-bee-all-superior-californ/103602280/|newspaper=The Sacramento Bee|via=Newspapers.com|date=December 4, 1966|page=78|title=Backfield Aces Headline All-Sup Eleven|access-date=October 21, 2023|archive-date=October 25, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231025220527/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sacramento-bee-all-superior-californ/103602280/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-francisco-examiner-ward-walsh-19/103602176/|newspaper=The San Francisco Examiner|via=Newspapers.com|date=December 4, 1966|page=57|title=Stan Brown, Netto Pace NorCal Preps|author=Sprenger, Bob|access-date=October 21, 2023|archive-date=October 25, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231025220507/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-francisco-examiner-ward-walsh-19/103602176/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-francisco-examiner-all-norcal-fo/103539153/|newspaper=The San Francisco Examiner|via=Newspapers.com|date=December 18, 1966|page=53|title=Richmond Star Tops All-NorCal|author=Sprenger, Bob|access-date=October 21, 2023|archive-date=October 25, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231025220535/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-francisco-examiner-all-norcal-fo/103539153/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/record-searchlight/133813740/|newspaper=Record Searchlight|via=Newspapers.com|date=March 2, 1967|page=4|title=Flagg, Walsh chosen for L. A. Shrine game|access-date=October 21, 2023|archive-date=October 25, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231025220513/https://www.newspapers.com/article/record-searchlight/133813740/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}} He was also invited to the Shrine Football Classic, a goal he had set in fourth grade, and scored the game-winning touchdown in an upset by the North team over the South.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/record-searchlight/133813537/|newspaper=Record Searchlight|via=Newspapers.com|date=September 7, 1967|page=30|title=Two country boys make good in the big city|access-date=October 21, 2023|archive-date=October 25, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231025230518/https://www.newspapers.com/article/record-searchlight/133813537/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}}
College career
Walsh began attending the University of Colorado Boulder in 1967 and made his debut for their Buffalo football team the following year, recording 63 rushing yards in his first game.{{Cite web|url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/playerw/wals01200.html|website=Pro Football Archives|title=Ward Walsh Stats|access-date=2023-10-21|archive-date=2023-10-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231025220528/https://www.profootballarchives.com/playerw/wals01200.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sacramento-bee/133816438/|newspaper=The Sacramento Bee|via=Newspapers.com|date=September 25, 1968|page=81|title=Sideliners|author=Lavelle, Larry|access-date=October 21, 2023|archive-date=October 25, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231025221511/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sacramento-bee/133816438/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}} He finished his sophomore season—1968—with 103 carries for 384 yards (a 3.7 average) and five touchdowns along with 13 receptions for 136 yards and another touchdown. He was ninth in the Big Eight Conference in total touchdowns while helping the Buffaloes finish with a record of 4–6.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/ward-walsh-1.html?__hstc=223721476.819c05d944def9eab3c88c0eb4cb0689.1697386440947.1697854761452.1697895697270.37&__hssc=223721476.1.1697895697270&__hsfp=2673325787|website=Sports Reference|title=Ward Walsh College Stats|access-date=2023-10-21|archive-date=2023-10-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231025221513/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/ward-walsh-1.html?__hstc=223721476.819c05d944def9eab3c88c0eb4cb0689.1697386440947.1697854761452.1697895697270.37&__hssc=223721476.1.1697895697270&__hsfp=2673325787|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/colorado/1968.html|website=Sports Reference|title=1968 Colorado Buffaloes Stats|access-date=2023-10-21|archive-date=2023-04-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417141501/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/colorado/1968.html|url-status=live}} In 1969, he helped Colorado reach the Liberty Bowl with an 8–3 record, running 114 times for 502 yards (a 4.7 average) and catching seven passes for 67 yards but scoring no touchdowns.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/colorado/1969.html|website=Sports Reference|title=1969 Colorado Buffaloes Stats|access-date=2023-10-21|archive-date=2023-10-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231003021835/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/colorado/1969.html|url-status=live}} He improved in 1970 and was their leading rusher, carrying the ball 117 times for 679 yards (a 5.8 average) and three touchdowns while catching five passes for 25 yards and another touchdown, helping them return to the Liberty Bowl.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-memphis-press-scimitar/133817220/|newspaper=The Memphis Press-Scimitar|via=Newspapers.com|date=December 11, 1970|page=38|title=But Ward Walsh Stepped Right In|access-date=October 21, 2023|archive-date=October 25, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231025221515/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-memphis-press-scimitar/133817220/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}} He placed second in the conference in rushing average and sixth for rushing yards, ending his collegiate career with 1,565 rushing yards and 225 receiving yards along with 10 touchdowns.
Professional career
Walsh went unselected in the 1971 NFL draft but signed with the Houston Oilers as an undrafted free agent and made the final roster that year.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/record-searchlight/133817415/|newspaper=Record Searchlight|via=Newspapers.com|date=November 2, 1971|page=9|title=Hornets, Corsairs show what champs made of|author=Gatts, Art|access-date=October 21, 2023|archive-date=October 25, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231025222018/https://www.newspapers.com/article/record-searchlight/133817415/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}} He made his NFL debut in Week 2 of the season, against the Kansas City Chiefs, and went on to appear in 13 games that year, totaling 38 rushes for 129 yards and six receptions for 36 yards and a touchdown.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WalsWa00/gamelog/|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|title=Ward Walsh Career Game Log|access-date=2023-10-21|archive-date=2016-04-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160411214548/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WalsWa00/gamelog/|url-status=live}} He had his top game of the year against the Buffalo Bills in Week 13, running 11 times for 56 yards. He returned for the 1972 season and appeared in the opening six games, running for 36 yards on eight carries while totaling four catches for 22 yards, before being waived.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/green-bay-press-gazette/133817746/|newspaper=Green Bay Press-Gazette|via=Newspapers.com|date=December 9, 1972|page=13|title='Recycled' Packers Playing Key Roles|author=Remmel, Lee|access-date=October 21, 2023|archive-date=October 25, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231025222021/https://www.newspapers.com/article/green-bay-press-gazette/133817746/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}} He also scored a touchdown by blocking a punt and recovering it in the end zone.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-eagle/133817901/|newspaper=The Bryan-College Station Eagle|via=Newspapers.com|date=October 16, 1972|page=10|agency=Associated Press|title=Steelers Defeat Oilers|access-date=October 21, 2023|archive-date=October 25, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231025222022/https://www.newspapers.com/article/bryan-college-station-eagle/133817901/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}}
Walsh joined the Green Bay Packers following his stint with the Oilers, appearing in two games but recording no statistics. He was released by the Packers in August 1973.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/morning-sentinel/133817998/|newspaper=Morning Sentinel|via=Newspapers.com|date=August 15, 1973|page=11|title=Transactions|access-date=October 21, 2023|archive-date=October 25, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231025222021/https://www.newspapers.com/article/morning-sentinel/133817998/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}}
Personal life
Walsh had a son, David, who played quarterback and defensive end for Palos Verdes High School.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/133818200/|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|via=Newspapers.com|date=October 27, 1988|page=31, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/133818256/ 32]|title=Palos Verdes' David Walsh Is That Rare Two-Way Performer|author=Martin, Adam|access-date=October 21, 2023|archive-date=October 25, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231025222549/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/133818200/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Walsh, Ward}}
Category:People from Paradise, California
Category:Players of American football from Butte County, California
Category:Houston Oilers players
Category:Green Bay Packers players
Category:American football running backs