Kenneth Walker III delivered one of the finest performances of his career on the biggest stage — with his father watching an NFL game in person for the first time.
The Seattle Seahawks star running back rushed for 135 yards and earned Super Bowl LX MVP honors in Seattle’s 29–13 victory over the New England Patriots on Sunday night. For Walker, the moment carried special meaning, as his father attended his first-ever NFL game.
After the win, Walker expressed deep gratitude for his father’s presence and the unwavering support he has provided throughout his life — especially during one of Walker’s darkest moments.
“When the doctor told me I couldn’t play anymore, I really thought football was over,” Walker said after the game. “That’s all I’d ever known. It was a shocking moment. My dad was with me through that entire process. He stayed with me in the hospital along with my mom. That made me grateful every single day — to be able to put the pads on, play this game, and still be alive.”
Ahead of his senior year of high school in 2018, Walker was diagnosed with blood clots in both lungs. Doctors advised him to stop playing football while he was placed on blood thinners and required to take injections twice a day for three months. During his recovery, Walker’s father worked out with him in non-contact drills to help him stay in shape.
What once seemed impossible has now become reality. Walker is just the eighth running back in NFL history to win Super Bowl MVP.
“If I had told my younger self that I’d win a Super Bowl MVP, I wouldn’t have believed it,” Walker said. “It’s surreal. None of this happens without the guys in the locker room.”
Sunday’s performance capped off a dominant postseason for Walker. After rushing for 1,027 yards during the regular season at 4.6 yards per carry, he totaled 313 rushing yards, averaged 4.8 yards per carry, and scored three touchdowns in the playoffs. His expanded role came after fellow Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet tore his ACL in Seattle’s divisional-round win over the San Francisco 49ers.
Despite his success, Walker kept Charbonnet close to his heart.
“When someone like that gets hurt, it’s tough,” Walker said. “I wrote his number on my wrist. I wanted to show it if I scored, but I didn’t get into the end zone. He supported me through everything.”
Walker also reflected on how much it meant to share the moment with his father, who typically avoids large crowds.
“My dad comes to Seattle all the time, but he usually doesn’t go into the stadium because he doesn’t like crowds,” Walker said. “This was his first NFL game — and we won the Super Bowl. That means everything to me. I know he’s truly proud.”