Ward Walsh

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 spent until 1972 with the team before being released. He then joined the Packers and played with them until being released in 1973.

Ward Walsh
No. 32, 26
Position:Running back
Personal information
Born: (1948-11-21) November 21, 1948
Los Angeles County, California
Height:6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:213 lb (97 kg)
Career information
High school:Trinity (CA)
College:Colorado (1967–1970)
Undrafted:1971
Career history
Career NFL statistics
Rushing attempts:39
Rushing yards:165
Receptions:10
Receiving yards:58
Touchdowns:2
Kick returns:1
Player stats at NFL.com

Early life

Walsh was born on November 21, 1948, in Los Angeles County, California.[1] 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.[2][3] 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.[4][5][6][7] 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.[8]

Professional 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.[9][10] 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, being ninth in the Big Eight Conference in total touchdowns while helping the Buffaloes finish with a record of 4–6.[11][12] 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.[11][13] 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.[11][14] 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.[11]

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.[15] 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.[1][16] He had his top game of the year against the Buffalo Bills in Week 13, running 11 times for 56 yards.[16] 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.[16][17] He also scored a touchdown by blocking a punt and recovering it in the end zone.[18]

Walsh joined the Green Bay Packers following his stint with the Oilers, appearing in two games but recording no statistics.[1][17] He was released by the Packers in August 1973.[19]

Personal life

Walsh had a son, David, who played quarterback and defensive end for Palos Verdes High School.[20]

References
  1. "Ward Walsh Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 2017-07-13. Retrieved 2018-03-28.
  2. "Shasta-Cascade League". The Sacramento Bee. December 5, 1965. p. 91. Archived from the original on October 25, 2023. Retrieved October 21, 2023 – via Newspapers.com. open access
  3. "Weed, Trinity Will Be Shasta-Cascade Powers". The Sacramento Bee. September 11, 1966. p. 126. Archived from the original on October 25, 2023. Retrieved October 21, 2023 – via Newspapers.com. open access
  4. "Backfield Aces Headline All-Sup Eleven". The Sacramento Bee. December 4, 1966. p. 78. Archived from the original on October 25, 2023. Retrieved October 21, 2023 – via Newspapers.com. open access
  5. Sprenger, Bob (December 4, 1966). "Stan Brown, Netto Pace NorCal Preps". The San Francisco Examiner. p. 57. Archived from the original on October 25, 2023. Retrieved October 21, 2023 – via Newspapers.com. open access
  6. Sprenger, Bob (December 18, 1966). "Richmond Star Tops All-NorCal". The San Francisco Examiner. p. 53. Archived from the original on October 25, 2023. Retrieved October 21, 2023 – via Newspapers.com. open access
  7. "Flagg, Walsh chosen for L. A. Shrine game". Record Searchlight. March 2, 1967. p. 4. Archived from the original on October 25, 2023. Retrieved October 21, 2023 – via Newspapers.com. open access
  8. "Two country boys make good in the big city". Record Searchlight. September 7, 1967. p. 30. Archived from the original on October 25, 2023. Retrieved October 21, 2023 – via Newspapers.com. open access
  9. "Ward Walsh Stats". Pro Football Archives. Archived from the original on 2023-10-25. Retrieved 2023-10-21.
  10. Lavelle, Larry (September 25, 1968). "Sideliners". The Sacramento Bee. p. 81. Archived from the original on October 25, 2023. Retrieved October 21, 2023 – via Newspapers.com. open access
  11. "Ward Walsh College Stats". Sports Reference. Archived from the original on 2023-10-25. Retrieved 2023-10-21.
  12. "1968 Colorado Buffaloes Stats". Sports Reference. Archived from the original on 2023-04-17. Retrieved 2023-10-21.
  13. "1969 Colorado Buffaloes Stats". Sports Reference. Archived from the original on 2023-10-03. Retrieved 2023-10-21.
  14. "But Ward Walsh Stepped Right In". The Memphis Press-Scimitar. December 11, 1970. p. 38. Archived from the original on October 25, 2023. Retrieved October 21, 2023 – via Newspapers.com. open access
  15. Gatts, Art (November 2, 1971). "Hornets, Corsairs show what champs made of". Record Searchlight. p. 9. Archived from the original on October 25, 2023. Retrieved October 21, 2023 – via Newspapers.com. open access
  16. "Ward Walsh Career Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 2016-04-11. Retrieved 2023-10-21.
  17. Remmel, Lee (December 9, 1972). "'Recycled' Packers Playing Key Roles". Green Bay Press-Gazette. p. 13. Archived from the original on October 25, 2023. Retrieved October 21, 2023 – via Newspapers.com. open access
  18. "Steelers Defeat Oilers". The Bryan-College Station Eagle. Associated Press. October 16, 1972. p. 10. Archived from the original on October 25, 2023. Retrieved October 21, 2023 – via Newspapers.com. open access
  19. "Transactions". Morning Sentinel. August 15, 1973. p. 11. Archived from the original on October 25, 2023. Retrieved October 21, 2023 – via Newspapers.com. open access
  20. Martin, Adam (October 27, 1988). "Palos Verdes' David Walsh Is That Rare Two-Way Performer". Los Angeles Times. p. 31, 32. Archived from the original on October 25, 2023. Retrieved October 21, 2023 – via Newspapers.com. open access
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