Jay Walker (politician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jay Walker
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Member of the Maryland House of Delegates from the 26th district |
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In office January 10, 2007 – January 11, 2023 Serving with Veronica L. Turner, Kris Valderrama
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Preceded by | Darryl A. Kelley |
Succeeded by | Jamila Woods |
Personal details | |
Born |
Jewel Jacobia Walker
January 24, 1972 Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
Political party | Democratic |
Spouse | Monique Anderson-Walker |
Children | 3 |
Residences | Fort Washington, Maryland, U.S. |
Education | Howard University (BA) |
Football career |
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No. 6 | |
Position: | Quarterback |
Personal information | |
Height: | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) |
Weight: | 229 lb (104 kg) |
Career information | |
High school: | University (Los Angeles, California) |
College: | Long Beach State Howard |
NFL Draft: | 1994 / Round: 7 / Pick: 198 |
Career history | |
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Jay Walker (born January 24, 1972) is an American who has had several important careers. He was a professional football player, a politician, and is now a businessman. He played as a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL).
Jay Walker also served as a member of the Maryland House of Delegates. This is a group of elected officials who make laws for the state of Maryland. Today, he is the CEO and president of Walker Financial Services. He also works as a college football analyst for ESPN, sharing his knowledge about the sport.
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Early Life and Education
Jay Walker was born in California on January 24, 1972. He went to University High School in Los Angeles.
After high school, he attended Howard University. There, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science. This means he studied how governments work and how people make decisions in society.
Jay Walker's Career
Playing Football
Jay Walker was a talented athlete who played quarterback in both college and professional football. Before football, he even tried professional baseball for a short time.
After high school, the Major League Baseball team, the California Angels, drafted him. He spent one year as a pitcher in the minor leagues. However, he soon decided to focus on college football instead.
College Football Journey
Walker first attended Long Beach State for college football. But he transferred to another school when Long Beach State stopped offering football as a sport.
He then joined the Howard Bison football team. While playing for the Bison, he set impressive records. He had the most pass completions and passing yards in a single season. He also set a record for the most pass completions in one game, with 38. His amazing passing skills earned him the nickname "Sky Walker."
In both 1993 and 1994, he was chosen for the All-MEAC (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) teams. In 1994, he was named the Offensive Player of the Year. That year, the Bison team had a perfect regular season. They won the MEAC championship and were recognized as the best black college football team in the nation. The team also made it to the NCAA Division I-AA playoffs for the first time and ranked among the top ten teams nationally. In 2005, Jay Walker was honored by being voted into the Howard University Athletics Hall of Fame.
Professional Football Experience
After college, Jay Walker pursued a professional career in the National Football League (NFL). In the 1994 NFL draft, the New England Patriots selected him in the seventh round. He joined a team that included famous quarterbacks like Drew Bledsoe.
In 1995, Walker played for the Barcelona Dragons in the World League of American Football. During a game, he got injured because his team had very few running backs, which meant he had to throw the ball on almost every play. After this injury, he left the Patriots.
However, he returned to the NFL with the Minnesota Vikings. He played as a backup quarterback for two years. During his NFL career, he attempted two passes, and both were completed!
Serving in Politics
Jay Walker also dedicated time to public service. He was a member of the Maryland House of Delegates. He served in this role from January 10, 2007, until January 11, 2023.
As a delegate, he was part of the House Ways and Means Committee. This committee handles important issues like taxes and government spending. He was also a member of the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland. This group works to address the needs of African American communities in the state.
In 2007, Walker sponsored House Bill 30. This bill helped create the Maryland Educational Fund, which supports education in the state. In March 2022, Jay Walker announced that he would not run for re-election for any political office.
Personal Life
Jay Walker is married to Monique Anderson-Walker. She is also a former politician. In 2022, she ran for lieutenant governor of Maryland.
Jay Walker lives in Fort Washington, Maryland. He and his wife have three children.