Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis (far left), Saints Head Coach Sean Payton (center) and Tulane Head Football Coach Curtis Johnson (far right) gathered to surprise Devon Walker (center, seated) after his graduation May 17.

Walker accomplished his goal on May 17 as he walked at Tulane’s graduation at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. While celebrating among his peers, little did Walker know he would later sign with the New Orleans Saints to continue his football career in the Superdome.

“When Devon got hurt, his football career was just starting to take off after three years of hard work,” Saints head coach

Sean Payton

said in a statement. “Despite the devastating injury he suffered, Devon refuses to let that define him. He is an outstanding young man, who is not only an inspiration to his coaches and teammates at Tulane, but to all of us. Devon’s character, determination,

intelligence

and work ethic are everything that we look for in a New Orleans Saint when we sign a player. This is the least we can do to recognize Devon and these attributes that we want all of our players to have.”

Walker said he was under the impression he would celebrate his graduation eating oysters, but Tulane head coach Curtis Johnson, along with family and friends, took him to Saints headquarters, where Walker signed his contract to become a member of the Saints.

“For me, this is one of my dreams come true,” Walker said. “I’ve been a Saint since before I was walking. Just to be a part of the team and be around the players is more than I could have hoped for.”