Getty Cam Newton #1 of the Carolina Panthers.
Atlanta Falcons second-year linebacker Mykal Walker is having himself quite the week.
On Wednesday, December 8, Walker welcomed his firstborn into the ––his son Kayden.
Congratulations to Mykal Walker on the birth of his son Kayden!
And then on Sunday, Walker snagged his first career interception and touchdown against the Carolina Panthers. He picked off Cam Newton‘s intended pass to Ameer Abdullah for a 66-yard touchdown to put the Falcons ahead 14-7 in the first half.
First career interception? A PICK SIX 😏
📺: FOX | @MykalWalker3
And not to mention that soon after the play Newton was benched.
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Walker Was a 2020 NFL Draft Pick
Atlanta initially selected the former Fresno State LB as their fourth-round pick at No. 119 in the 2020 NFL Draft, with hopes of adding more fire to their defensive.
Atlanta really needed to fill De’Vondre Campbell’s void at the time and they did that by adding Walker as the two aren’t far off of each other when it comes to their play.
Walker first began his collegiate career at Azusa Pacific where he was an all-conference performer in his second year posting 102 tackles, 11.5 for loss, and three sacks.
The Vacaville, California, native transferred to Fresno State in 2017 where he redshirted. It didn’t take long to step up as a Bulldog and when he did, he tallied 87 tackles (14 for loss), 4.5 sacks, one interception, six pass breakups, two blocked kicks and two forced fumbles through 14 starts. He finished his 2019 season with a first-team all-conference performance once again after recording 96 stops, a team-high nine for loss, 2.5 sacks and four pass breakups through 12 starts.
During his rookie NFL year, Walker tallied 40 total tackles (26 solo), one tackle for loss, two quarterback hits, one pass defended, one forced fumble and six special teams tackles in 16 games with six starts.
And so far this season, Walker has recorded 23 tackles on the season (9 solo), one pass defended, an interception and one touchdown.
What Walker Said After the Falcons’ Victory
The Falcons went on to win 29-21 on the road and boosted their odds at a playoff spot.
Atlanta team reporter Tori McElhaney was present at the post-game press conference where Walker talked about his pick-six, mentioning that he grew up a huge Cam Newton fan.
Mykal Walker said getting a pick-six was a big moment for him. Talked about Cam Newton being his fav player growing up.
Walker also noted that the defense’s job was to prove themselves after they let Carolina run all over them on October 31 and rack up over 200 rushing yards. This time, the Panthers notched just 91.
“We took it personally,” Walker told the media.
“We took it personally.”
Mykal Walker said the run defense felt as though it had something to prove after their last meeting with Carolina. Held the Panthers to 91 rushing yards today.
Walker was not the only one with an interception in Sunday’s win. Cornerback A.J. Terrell also recorded an interception vs. the Panthers, his first one of the season.
However, his pick was not as emotional as Walkers and he made that clear.
“That’s a real blessing from God right there, to happen in the same week,” Terrell said after the game.
AJ Terrell said he went right up to Mykal Walker after his pick-six and told him that was for Walker’s five-day-old son.
“That’s a real blessing from God right there, to happen in the same week.”
Next up for the Falcons is a trip to San Francisco to take on the 49er, who also won their Week 14 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals in overtime, 26-23.
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