NASHVILLE – Delanie Walker made a victory lap on Tuesday.
On the day the former Titans tight end announced his retirement from the NFL, Walker made one last stroll through Nissan Stadium, and he soaked it all in.
Before his press conference even started, Walker walked through the crowd of reporters who turned out on Tuesday and shook every hand, thanking each one of them for coming.
After hearing tributes from Titans General Manager Jon Robinson and Vice President of Broadcasting Mike Keith, Walker spent the next 20 minutes reminiscing on a career he enjoyed so much, recalling teammates, coaches and his favorites moments during his 14-year career.
Walker, wearing custom-made shoes that were a gift from former teammate Marcus Mariota, then made the rounds at his old stomping grounds.
He stopped by the locker room, where his jersey, shoulder pads and helmet hung in his old locker, a mocked up gameday look.
He then strolled down the tunnel and made his way onto the field, where he watched a video tribute from his former teammates, thanking Walker for his efforts and contributions as a teammate, and a friend. Former teammate and current Titans defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons stood beside him, along with family and friends.
It ended with a photo, and these words on the stadium's massive video boards: "Thank You Delanie Walker."
Walker smiled and did his best to keep from breaking down in tears.
It was all part of an eventful day for one of the greatest players in Titans history.
"I have been trying not to cry – I'm not the one to cry," Walker said at the start of his press conference. "I am going to sit here and tell you how I feel, and I want to start off by thanking the Adams family, the Titans organization, for giving me the opportunity to come here in 2013.
"… I know no one knew who I was when I came here, and they probably thought: Why did we get this guy? But the guys that were here, the coaches, the staff, they believed in me and said: It's all up to you. You have a chance to be great and take it and run with it. I looked at that as an opportunity. I knew what I could do in this league, and I just needed the opportunity to have that chance to show it, and the Titans gave me that opportunity. And that's why I am here to retire (a Titan), because I feel like my best years in football started here, here in Tennessee. … I am so thankful to have this opportunity to retire as a Titan."
Walker made the most of his opportunity, and his career.
Tuesday's retirement capped his a 14-year NFL career. After his first seven seasons (2006-12) with the San Francisco 49ers, he signed with the Titans and spent the final seven years (2013-19) in Tennessee.
With the Titans, Walker became one of the most prolific tight ends in the NFL.
In 14 seasons, Walker recorded 504 receptions for 5,888 yards and 36 touchdowns in 183 games. During his Titans career, Walker was a three-time Pro Bowl selection (2015, '16, '17), a four-time captain and twice (2013, 2015) selected as a team's Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year nominee.
"The first seven years went fast," Walker said if his days with the 49ers. "But playing my last seven years, it felt like forever, because I loved where I was at, I loved the guys that were in the locker room, and I didn't want it to end."
Check out more videos and highlights from Walker's memorable day below:
