WALKER’S
REWARD

Topics: Communication; Eternal Life; Glory; Honor; Rewards

References: Hebrews 12:25–29; 2 Peter 1:11

Kenny Walker, born deaf, felt like an outsider. As Walker matured, however, he compensated for his deafness with physical strength. His large frame, extensive knowledge of football, and intense focus attracted the attention first of his high school football coaches and then of college coaches.

When Walker’s high school coach asked him where he wanted to play college football, he signed N for Nebraska. Nebraska’s coaches immediately recruited him and made arrangements to have an interpreter present at every game.

At Nebraska, Walker made All-American and was named Big Eight Conference “Defensive Player of the Year.” But the crowning moment of his college football career came during his final home game. Traditionally, senior players were introduced alphabetically and ran onto the field, welcomed by a cheering crowd. But because Walker was deaf, the university found a unique way to honor the player. The Omaha World Herald explained to fans how to sign an ovation by standing, holding their hands above their heads, spreading their fingers, then waving their hands from side to side.

When Walker stood in the stadium tunnel, he felt the vibration of the cheering crowd as each senior ran out on the field. But when he ran onto the field, he felt no vibrations. Puzzled, he looked around the stadium to see over seventy-five thousand fans standing for him, waving their hands in a way that only a deaf person would recognize as applause.

Likewise, we who know Christ as Savior will be welcomed into glory. As 2 Peter 1:11 reads, “You will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

—John G. Hubbell, “Kenny Walker Listens with His Heart,” Reader’s Digest (October 1993)