Shane Scott Walton (born October 9, 1979) is an American former professional football player who was a safety for one season with the St. Louis Rams of the National Football League (NFL) in 2003. He played college football and soccer at the University of Notre Dame, earning unanimous All-American honors with their Fighting Irish football team. The St. Louis Rams selected him in the fifth round of the 2003 NFL draft.

Shane Walton
No. 38
Position:Safety
Personal information
Born: (1979-10-09) October 9, 1979 (age 45)
San Diego, California, U.S.
Height:5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight:195 lb (88 kg)
Career information
High school:The Bishop's School (San Diego)
College:Notre Dame
NFL draft:2003 / round: 5 / pick: 170
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Early life

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Walton was born in San Diego, California. He attended The Bishop's School in La Jolla, California, and played for the school's soccer team. His team won under-16, under-17 and under-19 national titles while playing for the La Jolla Nomads.[2]

College career

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Walton attended the University of Notre Dame, and played for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team from 1999 to 2002. He originally attended Notre Dame on a soccer scholarship and was named Big East Freshman of the Year after leading the soccer team in scoring in 1998. He walked on to the Irish football team as a sophomore, and was recognized as a unanimous first-team All-American as a senior in 2002.[3] Walton finished the year with 68 tackles (46 solo), seven interceptions (two returned for touchdowns) and seven pass breakups.[4]

Professional career

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Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press Wonderlic
5 ft 10+58 in
(1.79 m)
184 lb
(83 kg)
4.67 s 1.63 s 2.72 s 4.29 s 7.05 s 31 in
(0.79 m)
9 ft 1 in
(2.77 m)
11 reps 34
Broad jump from Tennessee Pro Day, all others from NFL Combine.[5]

St. Louis Rams

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The St. Louis Rams selected Walton in the fifth round (170th pick overall) of the 2003 NFL draft.[6] He played in four games for the Rams in 2003 before being placed on injured reserve on October 9, 2003. He was waived on June 17, 2004.[7]

Pittsburgh Steelers

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Walton was signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers on June 28, 2004. He was waived on August 23, 2004.[7]

Indianapolis Colts

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Walton signed with the Indianapolis Colts on August 24, 2004. He was waived by the Colts on August 27, 2004.[7]

Life after football

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Walton currently works as a behavioral analyst with F.I.T. and coaches at his alma mater, The Bishop's School. Walton heads the Shane Walton Foundation that funds tutors for children attempting to become eligible for private schools in San Diego. He continues playing adult soccer for the Nomads and other teams in the San Diego area.

References

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  1. ^ "Shane Walton". StatsCrew. Retrieved September 2, 2024.
  2. ^ Vecsey, George (September 20, 2002). "Sports of the Times; Notre Dame's Gain is Now Soccer's Loss". The New York Times.
  3. ^ 2011 NCAA Football Records Book, Award Winners, National Collegiate Athletic Association, Indianapolis, Indiana, p. 11 (2011). Retrieved June 23, 2012.
  4. ^ "Notre Dame Athletics | the Fighting Irish".
  5. ^ Shane Walton, Pro Scout Draft.com
  6. ^ "2003 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
  7. ^ a b c "Shane Walton". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
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