Alvin Skip Walker

Let’s begin with your name Alvin Skip Walker.  It has stood the test of time for Ottawa football fans.  Is there a story there?

My real name is Alvin Ray Walker. My nickname is “Skip”. My story of how I got it is this: my dad was a military man and called us by names like Captain, Chief, Skipper etc. The name Skip was used frequently for me. When Texas A&M Coach Emory Bellard recruited me and came to the house, he heard my folks calling me Skip so when I got to university, Coach Bellard called me Skip from day one. In fact, the name on the back of my jersey was “S. Walker”. The rest is history.

Safe to assume you did not grow up hoping to play in the CFL.  What were the circumstances behind your becoming an Ottawa Rough Rider?

After being cut by the Oilers, I still knew I could play. The Montreal Alouettes had a try-out camp in Houston and I jumped at the chance to play again. Montreal signed me, released me, then Saskatchewan signed me the next season, 1980. During pre-season, I was traded back to Montreal and thus began my very memorable career in Canada.

You shared the backfield with David Overstreet and David Green in Montreal. How did it feel to be the undisputed #1 back in Ottawa?

I was fortunate to run behind the best offensive line in the country. I still have a picture of them hanging in my “man cave”. I had just set the single game playoff record against Hamilton and was chosen as the MVP of the game (he ran for a CFL playoff record 253 yards). I told them that I would not accept it alone…my “O” line deserves all the credit. We all were in a “zone” that day. It was a great day for me, Tim Hook, Val Belcher, Larry Tittley, Kevin Powell and Rudy Phillips! 

You weren’t just another running back in Ottawa. You were a fan favorite for one and all. What was that connection like for you?

Ottawa fans are the best. I remember going out early pre-games and talking with the young boys & girls, signing autographs and taking pictures with them. It was special.

 

What was the adjustment to life without football like and where did that new chapter lead you?

I tried out with the Green Bay Packers in 1985 and I did not make the team. I retired and taught high school biology for 13 years. Then I began working with a friend, Hoover Alexander in the restaurant industry in 1999. I am currently the manager of Hoover’s Cooking in Austin, TX. I am married to Kimberly James Walker. Between us we have seven kids, and four grandkids with a fifth one due to arrive in October.

You can put together your own CFL team! Do you remain connected to former teammates?

I do. I am still connected with Texas A&M football. I keep in touch with Rick Sowieta, Jonathan Sutton, Rudy Phillips and occasionally J.C. Watts. I wear my Red Blacks t-shirts proudly here in Texas.