A Super dream come true
By By Carver Rayburn / staff writer
Jan. 23, 2003
Meridian native Kenyatta Walker had two dreams when he was playing football for then head coach Mac Barnes at Meridian High.
One dream was that if he ever made it big financially in life, he would give back to the community. The other dream was to play in the Super Bowl, the biggest game of them all.
After Tampa Bay's 27-10 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, the second dream came true.
Walker's first dream, The Kenyatta Walker Foundation, became a reality last summer. This Sunday, dream two will become a reality.
The ex-Florida Gator will be playing against a team that hosts players almost twice his age such as Oakland receivers Jerry Rice and Tim Brown.
Walker does not think that being able to play in the Super Bowl has really sunk in yet.
When Sunday comes around the second year offensive lineman will have a chance to lead his team in an upset win over his favorite player's team from his childhood. Win or lose, Walker will have accomplished something that a lot of NFL players never do, playing in a Super Bowl.
Walker will be the second Meridian native representing Mississippi in the Super Bowl in as many years. Last year, Dexter McCleon, a defensive back for the St. Louis Rams, had his chance.
Now, it is Kenyatta Walker's shot.
As for his first dream, Walker teamed up with his mother, Carolyn Brantley, and financial advisor Kimberly Sharp of Jackson to form a charity known simply as, The Kenyatta Walker Foundation.
The organization was formed shortly after Walker was drafted by the Tampa Buccaneers in the 2001 NFL draft. The Foundation donates money to the Boys and Girls Club of Meridian as well as helping low-income families in the Meridian area.
The NFL right tackle said that he felt obligated to give back to his community.
The foundation raised over $50,000 last year for low-income families. The main source of income comes from an annual golf tournament held in late June. Carolyn Brantley, executive director of the Kenyatta Walker Foundation, said that she expects the golf tournament to be even bigger and better this year.
When Walker moved to Tampa Bay to play for the Bucs, he heard about a local charity called Foster Angels that raised money to buy toys for underprivileged children at Christmas. The charity was robbed of $15,000 and was struggling to re-raise the funds in order to complete their mission.
Yatta Claus will have his chance to go two for two when it comes to dreams on Sunday against the Raiders in San Diego. If Tampa Bay wins the Super Bowl, Walker could be three for three on dreams coming true and batting 1.000 come Sunday evening.
