Everson Walls

Star power was instilled in Everson Walls even before he became a standout on the gridirons of L. V. Berkner High School (Richardson), Grambling State (Louisiana) and later as a major league player with the Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants and the Cleveland Browns. Growing up in north Dallas just miles from the “old” Dallas Cowboys training facility, Walls’ parents instilled a lasting sense of respect for not only himself but also others.

Walls parlayed this guiding principle onto the football field and became a star at L. V. Berkner High School where he played football for one year–his senior year–and led the division in interceptions. After graduating high school in 1977 and due to his impressive record on field, Walls was offered and accepted a football scholarship to Grambling State where he excelled in all positions in the secondary.
Giving credit to Coach Eddie Robinson whom Walls says helped him mature as a human being, Walls racked up a list of accomplishments while at Grambling. He was selected for the Kodak 1AA All-America team; the Black College All America team; and in his senior year in college, he led the nation in interceptions.

At the end of his college career, Walls and 125 other rookies attended the Cowboys training camp as free agents. He made the squad in 1981 and donned the blue starred jersey #24. His eight years with the Cowboys are littered with accolades and accomplishments. In his rookie year, he broke the single season record with 11 interceptions. He was named to the Pro Bowl team in ’81, ’82, ’83 and ’85 and in ’81, ’82 and ’85, he led the NFL in interceptions. In 1986, he was the youngest player named to the Cowboy 25th Year Anniversary Team, and in 1987 he was named Cowboys Man of the Year.
Walls continued his career with the New York Giants in 1990 and was the leading pass defender with six interceptions on the Giants Super Bowl team that year. In 1992, he signed and started with the Cleveland Browns.

After retirement from football in 1993, Walls was named to the All-Time Cowboy Team. He was appointed to the NFL All Decade Team for the 1980s, and in 1998 he was elected to the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame.

Walls has exhibited star power off the field as well. He serves as a TV personality and commentator for various networks in Dallas and is involved in real estate development in the greater Dallas area. Giving back to the community that supported him is very important to Walls as he donates his time to various charitable organizations and events. In 2009, Walls wrote the book A Gift for Ron that exhibited the character filled journey that allowed him the mental and physical capacity to donate his kidney to save the life of ex-teammate Ron Springs.

Walls is a dedicated husband, who is married to Shreill Walls, and the father of two adult children, Cameron Collins Walls and Charis Shreill Walls.