NBA

Kenneth Walker III becomes the 1st running back to win the Super Bowl MVP in 28 years

ballervisions 2026年2月9日

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Kenneth Walker III runs into free agency with the Super Bowl MVP.

Walker overcame a spectacular late game in one of the biggest games in the world to help the Seattle Seahawks beat the New England Patriots 29-13 on Sunday night in the championship game.

While the defense carried Seattle for most of the postseason, Walker again became the engine of the offense by rushing for 135 yards and adding 26 carries for his third straight 100-yard game from scrimmage in the postseason. He became the first running back since Terrell Davis 28 years ago to win the Super Bowl MVP.

“If I could tell myself when I was a kid right now, I wouldn’t have thought that I would be the one to win the MVP,” said Walker. “It’s a critical time and it doesn’t happen without the guys in the dressing room.”

Walker stepped up his game after fellow cornerback Zach Charbonnet went down with a season-ending knee injury and it couldn’t have come at a more important time for the Seahawks or a better time for Walker.

The 25-year-old running back is in the final year of his rookie contract and is set to become a free agent in 2026. Because of his playoff run, Walker will be in line for a big payday.

Walker gained 413 yards from scrimmage in three wins for Seattle the following season. He became the first player to top 100 yards from scrimmage in every Super Bowl playoff game since Terrell Davis did it in back-to-back seasons in 1997-98 for the Broncos.

“It means a lot,” Walker said. “It means a lot to me and I know it means a lot to my teammates. We went through a lot of difficulties all season long. To be able to make it this far is a blessing, with real noise. As a team we know the only important thing that is talked about in the organization. So we don’t really pay attention to all the outside noise. We fought all season and won the Super Bowl.”

What made it even more fun was that his father was there to watch him for the first time in the NFL. Walker said his father comes to Seattle a lot but doesn’t go to the games because of the crowds.

But Walker said his agent convinced his father to come on Sunday and he was able to see his son shine.

“I didn’t think you would come,” Walker said. “They ended up messing with him and everything. He got out of his comfort zone.”

While fantasy football owners and Walker were sometimes frustrated that he didn’t carry much of the offense, especially in the red zone, during the regular season, the workload with Charbonnet meant that Walker was still young in the playoffs when he was at his best.

Walker averaged just under 15 touches from scrimmage per game during the regular season when he posted his first 1,000-yard rushing season since his rookie year.

But he averaged 25 touches per game in the playoffs while showing he can be a bully back.

“When Charbs went down, everybody was rooting for him because he’s part of this team,” receiver Cooper Kupp said. “For (Walker) to be able to carry the burden and step up to the next level, I’m proud of him.”

Walker got off to a quick start with a 10-yard run on the opening kickoff and had a 55-yard run for a field goal later in the first half, the most of any player on a single drive in a Super Bowl in 20 years.

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