View source for Skip Walker

{{good article}}
{{Short description|American gridiron football player (1954–2022)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Use American English|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox CFL biography
| name = Skip Walker
| image = Alvin Walker.webp
| alt = 
| caption = 
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1954|09|11}}
| birth_place = [[Houston]], [[Texas]], U.S.
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2022|04|13|1954|09|11}}
| death_place = 
| team = 
| number = 32, 33
| status = 
| position1 = Running back
| height_ft = 5
| height_in = 9
| weight_lb = 191
| high_school = [[Del Valle High School (Travis County, Texas)|Del Valle (TX)]]
| college = [[Texas A&M University|Texas A&M]]
| NFLDraftedYear = 1976
| NFLDraftedRound = 11
| NFLDraftedPick = 311
| NFLDraftedTeam = [[Houston Oilers]]
| playing_years1 = 1976
| playing_team1 = [[Houston Oilers]]*
| playing_years2 = 1978
| playing_team2 = [[Toronto Argonauts]]*
| playing_years3 = 1979
| playing_team3 = [[Montreal Alouettes]]*
| playing_years4 = 1979–1980
| playing_team4 = [[Saskatchewan Roughriders]]*
| playing_years5 = 1980–1981
| playing_team5 = Montreal Alouettes
| playing_years6 = 1982–1984
| playing_team6 = [[Ottawa Rough Riders]]
| playing_years7 = 1985
| playing_team7 = [[Green Bay Packers]]*
| career_footnotes = <nowiki/>*Offseason and/or practice squad member only
| career_highlights = 
* 2× CFL rushing yards leader (1982–1983)
* All-[[Southwest Conference|SWC]] (1972)
* Second-team All-SWC ([[1973 All-Southwest Conference football team|1973]])
| CFLAllStar = [[1982 CFL season|1982]], [[1983 CFL season|1983]]
| CFLEastAllStar = [[1982 CFL season|1980]], [[1982 CFL season|1982]], [[1983 CFL season|1983]]
}}
'''Alvin Ray''' "'''Skip'''" '''Walker''' (September 11, 1954 – April 13, 2022) was an American professional [[gridiron football|football]] [[running back]] who played five seasons in the [[Canadian Football League]] (CFL) for the [[Montreal Alouettes]] and [[Ottawa Rough Riders]], including two seasons where he led the CFL in rushing yards in 1982 and 1983. He was named a CFL All Star in 1982 and 1983, and a CFL East All-Star in 1980, 1982 and 1983. He played [[college football]] at [[Texas A&M Aggies football|Texas A&M]] and was selected in the 11th round of the [[1976 NFL draft]] by the [[Houston Oilers]]. He also spent time with the [[Toronto Argonauts]], [[Saskatchewan Roughriders]], and [[Green Bay Packers]].

==Early life and education==
Walker was born on September 11, 1954, in [[Houston, Texas]].<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/playerw/walk07650.html|website=Pro Football Archives|title=Skip Walker Stats}}</ref> He attended [[Del Valle High School (Travis County, Texas)|Del Valle High School]] in [[Travis County, Texas]], where he competed in football, track, and basketball. His coach Tom Walker described him as "the best athlete I've ever coached."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99755954/the-austin-american/|newspaper=[[The Austin American]]|date=March 30, 1972|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|page=43|author=Rice, Tom|title="Skipper"—"The Best Ever"}} {{Open Access}}</ref> In football, Walker averaged over 100 yards per game.<ref name="auto6">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99756132/austin-american-statesman/|newspaper=[[Austin American-Statesman]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=February 14, 1972|page=26|title=Cards' Star Alvin Walker Picks Aggies}} {{Open Access}}</ref>

Walker committed to [[Texas A&M University]] in February 1972.<ref name="auto6"/> As a [[freshman]], Walker started in eight games for the [[Texas A&M Aggies football|Texas A&M football team]], and placed third in rushing with 78 carries for 311 yards and three [[touchdown]]s.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99755740/the-austin-american/|newspaper=[[The Austin American]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=December 14, 1972|page=74|title=Hardeman Rambles In Ghostly Fashion|author=Rice, Tom}} {{Open Access}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99756275/the-austin-american/|newspaper=[[The Austin American]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=July 22, 1973|page=56|title=A&M 'Kiddie Korps' Awaits Season|author=Breazeale, George}} {{Open Access}}</ref> In a 45–10 win over [[SMU Mustangs football|SMU]] as a [[sophomore]], Walker ran for 181 yards and scored two touchdowns.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99756538/the-brownsville-herald/|newspaper=[[The Brownsville Herald]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|agency=[[United Press International]]|title=Aggies Crunch SMU By 45-10|date=November 11, 1973|page=17}} {{Open Access}}</ref> He finished the year with 98 rushes, 618 rushing yards and 8 touchdowns, as well as 10 receptions for 233 yards;<ref name="STATS"/> he was named all-conference by the ''[[Fort Worth Star-Telegram]]''.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99756741/fort-worth-star-telegram/|newspaper=[[Fort Worth Star-Telegram]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=December 2, 1973|page=37|title=8 Raiders on SWC Star Squad|author=Truly, Pat}} {{Open Access}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99756862/the-eagle/|newspaper=[[The Bryan-College Station Eagle|The Eagle]]|title='The Aggies Will Be Back' In 1974|date=December 1, 1973|page=11|author=Donnelly, Barry}} {{Open Access}}</ref>

In the third game of his [[Junior (education year)|junior]] year, Walker scored three touchdowns and ran for 53 yards in a win over [[Washington Huskies football|Washington]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99757117/the-spokesman-review/|title=Husky Rally Not Enough|newspaper=[[The Spokesman-Review]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=September 29, 1974|page=39|agency=[[Associated Press]]}} {{Open Access}}</ref> Two weeks later, against [[Texas Tech Red Raiders football|Texas Tech]], he compiled 181 rushing yards on 21 carries and scored three touchdowns in the second quarter alone.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99757312/brownwood-bulletin/|newspaper=[[Brownwood Bulletin]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=October 13, 1974|page=15|title=Aggies thrash Tech, 28-7|agency=[[Associated Press]]}} {{Open Access}}</ref> By week six, he had become the conference's leading rusher, with teammate [[Bubba Bean]] in second place.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99758217/clovis-news-journal/|newspaper=[[Clovis News-Journal]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=October 20, 1974|page=29|title=Aggies Cut Down TCU 17-0|agency=[[United Press International]]}} {{Open Access}}</ref> He finished the season with 98 rushing attempts for 550 yards and 8 touchdowns. He also recorded 2 receptions for 73 yards and 1 touchdown.<ref name="STATS"/> He was named honorable mention All-[[Southwest Conference]] (SWC) by [[United Press International]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99758416/longview-news-journal/|newspaper=[[Longview News-Journal]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|agency=[[United Press International]]|title=Beaird Paces All-SWC|date=December 1, 1974|page=13}} {{Open Access}}</ref>

As a [[Senior (education)|senior]], Walker helped Texas A&M start off 10–0 and finish as conference co-champions with a record of 10–2.<ref name="auto2">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99758731/the-galveston-daily-news/|newspaper=[[The Galveston Daily News]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=April 27, 1980|page=36|title=TC coach bound for Canadian grid|author=Arnett, Paul}} {{Open Access}}</ref> He ended the season with 97 rushing attempts for 399 yards and four touchdowns, while also recording 6 receptions for 171 yards and 1 touchdown. He finished his college career with 371 rushing attempts for 1,878 yards and 23 touchdowns while also recording 24 receptions for 523 yards and 2 touchdowns.<ref name="STATS">{{Cite web | url = https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/skip-walker-1.html | title = Skip Walker Stats | access-date = December 13, 2023 | website = Sports-Reference.com }}</ref>

Walker was nicknamed "Skip." "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," he said.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ottawaredblacks.com/2014/09/04/cfl-ottawa-alumnis-5th-quarter-alvin-skip-walker/|website=[[Ottawa Redblacks]]|title=CFL Ottawa Alumni's 5th Quarter Profile: Alvin 'Skip' Walker|date=September 4, 2014|author=Evraire, Ken}}</ref>

==Professional career==
After graduating, Walker was selected in the 11th round (311th overall) of the [[1976 NFL draft]] by the [[Houston Oilers]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99758867/the-post-crescent/|newspaper=[[The Post-Crescent]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|agency=[[Associated Press]]|title=National Football League Draft|date=April 10, 1976|page=11}} {{Open Access}}</ref> His contract with the Oilers was negotiated by his father, as he did not hire an agent.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99759009/corpus-christi-times/|newspaper=[[Corpus Christi Times]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=June 17, 1976|page=19|title=No agent for Skip Walker|agency=[[Associated Press]]}} {{Open Access}}</ref> He was released in training camp.<ref>{{cite news |last=McRae |first=Earl |title=Ex-Ottawa star still has Skip in his step |work=Ottawa Sun |date=October 5, 2010 |url=http://www.ottawasun.com/sports/football/2010/10/04/15578666.html |access-date=January 1, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 6, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101006070351/http://www.ottawasun.com/sports/football/2010/10/04/15578666.html }}</ref> While a free agent, Walker was a football coach and teacher at Levi Fry Junior High School in [[Texas City, Texas]], while continuing to work out.<ref name="auto2"/>

In 1978, Walker briefly had a stint with the [[Toronto Argonauts]] of the [[Canadian Football League]] (CFL), but did not make the final roster.<ref name="auto8">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99759613/the-gazette/|newspaper=[[Montreal Gazette|The Gazette]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=July 5, 1980|page=75|title=Perseverance finally pays off for Alouettes' speedy Walker|author=Zurkowsky, Herb}} {{Open Access}}</ref>

In 1979, Walker was signed by the [[Montreal Alouettes]] of the CFL, but was released on the final day before the regular season began. He was picked up on waivers by the [[Saskatchewan Roughriders]] but was not activated and later released.<ref name="auto2"/> In 1980, he was re-signed by the Roughriders.<ref name="auto2"/> In June, he was traded back to Montreal by Saskatchewan, where he made the final roster.<ref name="auto8"/> In the second game of the season, Walker averaged 18.8 yards per rush with five carries for 94 yards and made eight catches for 86 yards in a loss to the [[Calgary Stampeders]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99760283/the-ottawa-journal/|newspaper=[[The Ottawa Journal]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|page=20|date=July 17, 1980|title=Als refuse to panic despite sloppy start|author=Abbott, Scott}} {{Open Access}}</ref> In week four against his former team, the Saskatchewan Roughriders, Walker recorded 22 rushes for 96 yards and scored his team's only touchdown in the 18–10 win.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99760566/star-phoenix/|newspaper=[[Star-Phoenix]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=August 7, 1980|page=13|title=CFL trade inspires Walker|author=Ferguson, Derek}} {{Open Access}}</ref> On October 12, in a win over the [[Ottawa Rough Riders]], he scored two touchdowns and ran for 85 yards on 15 carries.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99760840/the-ottawa-citizen/|newspaper=[[The Ottawa Citizen]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=October 14, 1980|page=31|title=Loss to Larks leaves Rider coach incensed|author=Casey, Tom}} {{Open Access}}</ref> In the Eastern Semi-Final playoff game against Ottawa, Walker scored the game-winning touchdown in the fourth quarter and also scored on a 73-yard touchdown run.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99761101/edmonton-journal/|newspaper=[[Edmonton Journal]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|agency=[[The Canadian Press]]|title=Riders' last gasp gassed|date=November 10, 1980|page=20}} {{Open Access}}</ref> The Alouettes lost in the Eastern Finals to the [[Hamilton Tiger-Cats]], and Walker finished the year with 114 rushes for 692 yards and nine touchdowns.<ref name="auto7">{{Cite web|url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/1980cflmtl.html|website=Pro Football Archives|title=1980 Montreal Alouettes (CFL)}}</ref> He also recorded 34 receptions for 511 yards and one touchdown, and made 17 kickoff returns for 434 yards.<ref name="auto7"/> He was named to the 1980 CFL East All-Star team.<ref name="ALLSTAR">{{Cite web | url =https://www.statscrew.com/football/stats/p-walkeski001 | website = StatsCrew.com | title = Skip Walker | access-date = December 13, 2023 }}</ref>

Overall, in {{CFL Year|1981}}, Walker had a very limited role due to the signing of [[David Overstreet]], who became starter and was given most of the carries. Walker recorded just 54 rushing yards on the year, scoring no touchdowns. Receiving, he made 11 catches for 116 yards with a long of 32. He also returned four kickoffs for 77 yards.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/1981cflmtl.html|website=Pro Football Archives|title=1981 Montreal Alouettes (CFL)}}</ref>

On July 3, {{CFL Year|1982}}, Walker was acquired by the [[Ottawa Rough Riders]] in a trade.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99767217/the-ottawa-citizen/|newspaper=[[The Ottawa Citizen]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=July 5, 1982|page=26|title=Simmons out as Riders name roster|author=Casey, Tom}} {{Open Access}}</ref> He played his first game with Ottawa on July 17 against the [[Hamilton Tiger-Cats]], after being ruled out for the first game of the year.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99767414/the-ottawa-citizen/|newspaper=[[The Ottawa Citizen]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|page=19|date=July 10, 1982|title=Brancato decides to go with new receiver|author=Casey, Tom}} {{Open Access}}</ref> He was described as the "only really lively offensive performer" in the 14–20 loss to Hamilton, gaining 90 yards and scoring on an 18-yard pass play.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99767650/north-bay-nugget/|newspaper=[[North Bay Nugget]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|author=Coleman, Jim|date=July 19, 1982|page=16|title=Cats don't look as strong after two so-so CFL games}} {{Open Access}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Tiger-Cats shade Rough Riders|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99767777/north-bay-nugget/|newspaper=[[North Bay Nugget]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=July 19, 1982|page=16}} {{Open Access}}</ref> In the following week against the [[Montreal Concordes]], Walker caught three passes for 112 yards in a 55–5 win, scoring on a 96-yard touchdown pass, the longest offensive play of his career.<ref name="auto1"/><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99768086/the-gazette/|newspaper=[[Montreal Gazette|The Gazette]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=July 30, 1982|page=12|title=Rookie Issac sets passing record as Riders thrash Concordes 55-5|author=Bacon, Dick}} {{Open Access}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99768247/the-windsor-star/|newspaper=[[The Windsor Star]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|agency=[[The Canadian Press]]|page=23|date=July 30, 1982|title=Riders blow out Concordes, 55-5}} {{Open Access}}</ref> By the third game of the season, he had made 34 carries and gained 194 rushing yards, 200 receiving yards, and scored four touchdowns.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99769044/the-ottawa-citizen/|newspaper=[[The Ottawa Citizen]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=August 10, 1982|page=15|author=MacCabe, Eddie|author-link=Eddie MacCabe|title=Finally, Walker is in right place at right time}} {{Open Access}}</ref> By the end of week eight, he had the CFL lead in rushing yards with 401.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99791723/edmonton-journal/|newspaper=[[Edmonton Journal]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=September 2, 1982|page=51|title=Eskimos let Cole slip away|author=Turchansky, Ray}} {{Open Access}}</ref> In a loss to the [[Edmonton Eskimos]] in week nine, Walker recorded 15 rushes for 105 yards and was described as Ottawa's "lone bright spot."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99791963/the-sault-star/|newspaper=[[The Sault Star]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|agency=[[The Canadian Press]]|title=Take that, CBC Journal}} {{Open Access}}</ref> Walker scored two touchdowns and made 97 yards rushing, 128 yards receiving in a win over the Saskatchewan Roughriders on September 24.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99792278/calgary-herald/|newspaper=[[Calgary Herald]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=September 25, 1984|page=34|title=Skip Walker finds his own football spotlight|agency=[[The Canadian Press]]}} {{Open Access}}</ref> By week 11, he led the CFL in touchdowns with 11, placed second in the league in rushing and made 23 pass receptions for 417 yards.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99792461/the-ottawa-citizen/|author=Casey, Tom|newspaper=[[The Ottawa Citizen]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=September 29, 1982|page=29|title=Rider star Walker seeking $85,000 in new pay deal}} {{Open Access}}</ref> In a win over the Calgary Stampeders on October 23, Walker ran 27 times for 203 yards and scored four touchdowns, becoming the first CFL player of the season to achieve 1,000 rushing yards.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99792860/the-ottawa-citizen/|newspaper=[[The Ottawa Citizen]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|author=Casey, Tom|title=Riders run Stamps into ground|date=October 25, 1982|page=29}} {{Open Access}}</ref> He scored two touchdowns and ran for 113 yards in a 34–32 win the following week against the Montreal Concordes, clinching a playoff spot for Ottawa while eliminating the Concordes.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99793004/edmonton-journal/|newspaper=[[Edmonton Journal]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=November 1, 982|page=43|title=Skip savors revenge|agency=[[The Canadian Press]]}} {{Open Access}}</ref> Walker finished the regular season as the league's leading rusher and touchdown scorer, earning a spot on the CFL All-Star team and CFL East All-Star team.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99793164/the-ottawa-citizen/|newspaper=[[The Ottawa Citizen]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|page=39|date=November 4, 1982|title=Kicker Gerry Organ happiest of them all as seven Riders named to All-Star team|author=Casey, Tom}} {{Open Access}}</ref><ref name="ALLSTAR"/> In the Eastern Semi-Final playoff game against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, he "ran like no running back in Canadian Football League playoff history," gaining 253 rushing yards (the highest playoff total and third-highest ever) on 30 carries and scoring one touchdown in a 30–20 win.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99793313/the-ottawa-citizen/|newspaper=[[The Ottawa Citizen]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=November 15, 1982|page=25|title=Rip-roaring Riders tame Ticats as Walker runs into record book|author=Casey, Tom}} {{Open Access}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99793488/the-ottawa-citizen/|newspaper=[[The Ottawa Citizen]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|page=25|date=November 15, 1982|author=MacCabe, Eddie|author-link=Eddie MacCabe|title=Starkey sparks minor miracle}} {{Open Access}}</ref> Despite him running for 87 yards and scoring a touchdown in the Eastern Final playoff game against the [[Toronto Argonauts]], the Rough Riders lost 7–44.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99793573/the-ottawa-citizen/|newspaper=[[The Ottawa Citizen]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=November 22, 1982|page=29|title=Riders Overwhelmed: 'It would have taken a miracle'|author=Casey, Tom}} {{Open Access}}</ref> He finished the season with 210 rushing attempts for 1,141 yards and 13 touchdowns, while making 28 catches for 536 yards and five touchdowns. He also returned 13 kickoffs for 288 yards.<ref name="auto1"/>

In January 1983, Walker signed a four-year contract extension with the Rough Riders.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99796071/star-phoenix/|newspaper=[[Star-Phoenix]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=January 26, 1983|page=52|title=Ottawa signs Walker|agency=[[The Canadian Press]]}} {{Open Access}}</ref> He recorded 111 rushing yards on 15 carries and scored two touchdowns in the first game of the season, a 26–25 win over the [[Winnipeg Blue Bombers]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99796365/star-phoenix/|newspaper=[[Star-Phoenix]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=July 9, 1983|page=18|title=Ottawa's Watts shows old form|agency=[[The Canadian Press]]}} {{Open Access}}</ref> Trailing 9–13 in week three against the Calgary Stampeders, Ottawa coach [[George Brancato]] called up Walker for a trick play at the Stampeders' 24 yard line.<ref name="auto5">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99799311/calgary-herald/|newspaper=[[Calgary Herald]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=July 22, 1983|page=58|author=Maki, Allan|title=Walker should stick to running}} {{Open Access}}</ref> Rather than run the ball, Walker received the hand-off and attempted to pass.<ref name="auto5"/> However, Calgary realized the trick play and put him under heavy pressure, leading him to throw an interception to [[defensive back]] [[Terry Irvin]].<ref name="auto">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99799703/calgary-herald/|newspaper=[[Calgary Herald]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=July 22, 1983|page=59|title=And now a message from Terry|author=Simmons, Steve}} {{Open Access}}</ref> The Stampeders scored on their next drive and Ottawa was not able to come back, eventually losing 16–27.<ref name="auto5"/> He finished the game with 182 rushing yards, nearly 100 more than the total of the two Calgary starters at running back.<ref name="auto"/> In a week six loss to the Toronto Argonauts, Walker was "smothered by aggressive Toronto defenders almost every time he was given the ball" and had negative-one yards rushing, although he did score one touchdown.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99800266/nanaimo-daily-news/|newspaper=[[Nanaimo Daily News]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=August 20, 1983|page=11|title=Argos roll over Rough Riders|agency=[[The Canadian Press]]}} {{Open Access}}</ref> After a five-game losing streak, the Rough Riders recorded their second win of the season the following week, 17–14 against the Edmonton Eskimos, with Walker recording 94 rushing yards and 27 receiving yards.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99800505/the-ottawa-citizen/|author=Casey, Tom|newspaper=[[The Ottawa Citizen]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=August 27, 1983|page=65|title=Riders leave Eskimo fans howling at Moon}} {{Open Access}}</ref>

By the end of the Rough Riders' seventh game, Walker had the league lead in rushing yards with 587, had five of the team's 11 touchdowns, and had made 14 catches for 157 yards.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99800958/whitehorse-daily-star/|newspaper=[[Whitehorse Daily Star]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=September 2, 1983|page=26|title=Opposing coaches worried about Watts|agency=[[The Canadian Press]]}} {{Open Access}}</ref> In their eighth game, a 49–19 win over the [[BC Lions]], Walker made 11 rushes and gained 167 yards, a 15-yard average.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99801183/nanaimo-daily-news/|newspaper=[[Nanaimo Daily News]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=September 3, 1983|page=11|title=Lions blown away by Rough Riders|agency=[[The Canadian Press]]}} {{Open Access}}</ref> In the first half alone of the next game, a loss by one point to the Saskatchewan Roughriders, he made 91 yards.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99801334/the-leader-post/|newspaper=[[The Leader-Post]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=September 10, 1983|page=23|title=Another One!|author=Hughes, Bob}} {{Open Access}}</ref> He scored one touchdown and gained 106 rushing yards in a win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the following game.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99801520/the-kingston-whig-standard/|newspaper=[[The Kingston Whig-Herald]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|agency=[[The Canadian Press]]|title=Riley chases referee|date=September 26, 1983|page=10}} {{Open Access}}</ref> One week later, Walker surpassed 1,000 yards rushing in a win over the Saskatchewan Roughriders.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99801923/calgary-herald/|newspaper=[[Calgary Herald]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=October 4, 1983|page=4|title=Hard man to stop}} {{Open Access}}</ref> After going down 11–21 versus the Calgary Stampeders, Walker returned a kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown in one of the longest plays of his career.<ref name="auto4">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99802032/red-deer-advocate/|newspaper=[[Red Deer Advocate]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=October 11, 1983|page=28|title=Two games for price of one|agency=[[The Canadian Press]]}} {{Open Access}}</ref> He also ran for 108 yards in the game, a 29–24 win.<ref name="auto4"/> For his performance, he was named CFL Offensive Star of the Week.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99802308/the-ottawa-citizen/|newspaper=[[The Ottawa Citizen]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=October 14, 1983|page=24|title=Walker runs away with star award|agency=[[The Canadian Press]]}} {{Open Access}}</ref> On October 23, in a 20–19 win over Toronto, Walker ran for 145 yards and scored two touchdowns, including the game-winner with seconds left to play.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99808682/the-ottawa-citizen/|newspaper=[[The Ottawa Citizen]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=October 24, 1983|page=33|author=Casey, Tom|title=Riders work last-minute magic on Argos}} {{Open Access}}</ref> He finished the season with 1,431 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns, leading the league and being named to the CFL All-Star team and CFL East All-Star team.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99809101/star-phoenix/|newspaper=[[Star-Phoenix]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=November 8, 1983|page=24|title=Statistical Story}} {{Open Access}}</ref><ref name="ALLSTAR"/> Walker also made 28 receptions for 317 yards and 19 kickoff returns for 489 yards.<ref name="auto1"/> His 1,431 rushing yards were an Ottawa record that stood until 1991, when it was broken by [[Reggie Barnes (running back)|Reggie Barnes]] in an 18-game season (the season Walker played in was 16 games).<ref name="auto3">{{Cite web|url=https://3downnation.com/2022/04/13/two-time-cfl-all-star-rb-alvin-skip-walker-passes-away-at-67/|website=3 Down Nation|title=Two-time CFL all-star RB Alvin 'Skip' Walker passes away at 67|date=April 13, 2022}}</ref> Ottawa was [[Upset (competition)|upset]] in the Eastern Semi-Final playoff game against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, 31–33, with Walker running for 118 yards on 11 rushes in the game.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99809553/alberni-valley-times/|newspaper=[[Alberni Valley Times]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=November 14, 1983|page=8|title=Winnipeg, Hamilton reach division finals|agency=[[The Canadian Press]]}} {{Open Access}}</ref>

Walker missed the first game of the {{CFL Year|1984}} season due to an ankle injury.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99810254/red-deer-advocate/|newspaper=[[Red Deer Advocate]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=July 7, 1984|page=22|title=Former buddies to renew acquaintances|agency=[[The Canadian Press]]}} {{Open Access}}</ref> He came back for their game with the Calgary Stampeders, but only gained 53 yards on 20 carries.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99810202/the-leader-post/|newspaper=[[The Leader-Post]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=July 13, 1984|page=41|title=Saturday's Game}} {{Open Access}}</ref> In a week four win over the Montreal Concordes, Walker suffered a broken ankle that kept him out for most of the season.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99810497/the-ottawa-citizen/|newspaper=[[The Ottawa Citizen]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=July 23, 1984|title=Coming of age for the Riders|page=31|author=MacCabe, Eddie|author-link=Eddie MacCabe}} {{Open Access}}</ref> [[Tim McCray]], his replacement, performed so well that the Rough Riders didn't activate Walker until a while after he was healthy, although the rest of the team did not perform well, winning none of their first seven games after his injury.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99810857/the-leader-post/|newspaper=[[The Leader-Post]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=September 29, 1984|page=43|title=McCray has come on|author=Drinnan, Greg}} {{Open Access}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99811117/the-ottawa-citizen/|newspaper=[[The Ottawa Citizen]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=September 20, 1984|page=43|title=Rough Riders will have to learn without Walker, for now|author=Elliott, Bob}} {{Open Access}}</ref> When finally activated, he had a very limited role, with McCray having taken the starting position.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99811427/calgary-herald/|newspaper=[[Calgary Herald]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=October 14, 1983|page=33|author=Wood, Larry|title=Serving up a sporting feast}} {{Open Access}}</ref> Walker finished the season with just 256 rushing yards on 69 carries, scoring only one touchdown as the Rough Riders finished 4–12 and missed the playoffs.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/1984cflott.html|website=Pro Football Archives|title=1984 Ottawa Rough Riders (CFL)}}</ref>

Walker was waived by the Rough Riders in May 1985.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99811692/the-ottawa-citizen/|newspaper=[[The Ottawa Citizen]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=May 15, 1985|page=79, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99811716/the-ottawa-citizen/ 80]|title=Phillips, Walker don't fit in Riders' plans, waived through CFL|author=Casey, Tom}} {{Open Access}}</ref> He ended his CFL career with 648 rushing attempts, 3,574 rushing yards and 33 touchdowns. He also recorded 114 receptions for 1,625 yards and 7 touchdowns. As a kick returner, he returned 53 kicks for 1,288 return yards and 1 touchdown.<ref name="auto1"/> He was later signed by the [[Green Bay Packers]] in the National Football League but was released in late July.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99811922/wisconsin-state-journal/|newspaper=[[Wisconsin State Journal]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=July 30, 1985|page=16|title=Football}} {{Open Access}}</ref> He subsequently retired.<ref name="auto3"/>

==Later life and death==
After retiring from football, Walker returned to [[Austin, Texas]], where he became a coach at [[Northeast High School (Austin, Texas)|Reagan High School and Murchison Middle School]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99812180/austin-american-statesman/|newspaper=[[Austin American-Statesman]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=October 1, 1987|page=40|title=Del Valle football great is back for homecoming}} {{Open Access}}</ref> Walker died of cancer on April 13, 2022, at the age of 67.<ref name="auto3"/><ref name="kbtx-obit">{{cite news |title=Former Texas A&M running back Skip Walker passes away |url=https://www.kbtx.com/2022/04/15/former-texas-am-running-back-skip-walker-passes-away/ |access-date=April 16, 2022 |agency=Texas A&M Sports Information |publisher=[[KBTX-TV]] |date=April 15, 2022 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tributearchive.com/obituaries/24583063/alvin-ray-skip-walker/austin/texas/king-tears-mortuary-inc|title=Alvin Ray (Skip) Walker Obituary|website=Tribute Archive}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{Houston Oilers 1976 draft navbox}}
{{CFL rushing yardage leaders}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Walker, Skip}}
[[Category:1954 births]]
[[Category:2022 deaths]]
[[Category:Businesspeople from Texas]]
[[Category:Canadian football running backs]]
[[Category:Texas A&M Aggies football players]]
[[Category:Montreal Alouettes players]]
[[Category:Ottawa Rough Riders players]]
[[Category:Players of American football from Houston]]
[[Category:Players of Canadian football from Houston]]
[[Category:Schoolteachers from Texas]]
[[Category:American football running backs]]
[[Category:Houston Oilers players]]
[[Category:Toronto Argonauts players]]
[[Category:Saskatchewan Roughriders players]]
[[Category:Green Bay Packers players]]
[[Category:Deaths from cancer in Texas]]
[[Category:High school football coaches in Texas]]