PJ Walker

BIOGRAPHY

Phillip “P.J.” Walker Jr., an acclaimed American professional football quarterback, was born on February 26, 1995, in Elizabeth, New Jersey. Raised by parents Tamicha Drake and Philip Walker Sr., the young athlete’s love for football began at Elizabeth High School. He honed his skills through his teenage years, achieving a remarkable passing percentage of 63.5% during his junior year. Walker’s undeniable talent and knack for the sport led to Temple University’s head coach, Matt Rhule, offering him an athletic scholarship.

Embarking on his collegiate career, Walker played an integral role for the Temple Owls team from 2013 to 2016. Initially, he served as a backup for Connor Reilly but eventually earned the starting spot during a game against Cincinnati during week six of the season and underwent a meteoric rise. He scored his first collegiate win on the seventh week against Army, with a significant score of 33-14.

Despite a relatively subdued sophomore season, Walker returned triumphant in his junior and senior years, shattering several school records and leading the team to their first conference title in nearly half a century. Furthermore, Walker etched his name into the annals of the Temple Owls’ historiography by becoming the leader in wins by a starting quarterback, passing yards, passing touchdowns, completions, attempts, total yards, and total touchdowns.

In 2017, Walker went professionally when he was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Indianapolis Colts. His tenure was composed of a series of releases and re-signings for the subsequent two years. However, October 2019 saw him being drafted for the newly-formed XFL for the 2020 season, in which he led his team with a stunning 5-0 record, leading the league in passing touchdowns and yards.

The COVID-19 pandemic brought an abrupt halt to the 2020 XFL season, leaving Walker to join the ranks of athletes worldwide who faced uncertainty during the global health crisis. Notwithstanding this interruption, Walker signed a two-year contract worth up to $1.5 million with the Carolina Panthers, reuniting with former coach Matt Rhule.

While his displays were inconsistent, Walker made his first NFL start against the Detroit Lions and managed an admirable performance. Following a season with the Bears in 2023, Walker made a brief stop with the Cleveland Browns before being picked by the Seattle Seahawks the following year.

Despite a couple of shuffling between teams, Walker landed with the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League in October 2024. Throughout his career, regardless of the upheavals and uncertainty the sport carries, Walker has consistently showcased his expertise in the quarterback position. He remains a shining example of talent, hard work, and resilience in the face of adversity.