Erik Walden is a former American football linebacker who played in the National Football League (NFL) for nearly a decade. He was born on August 21, 1985, in Dublin, Georgia, and attended Dublin High School, where he played football as a defensive end and tight end. After graduating in 2003, Walden enrolled at Middle Georgia College, where he continued to play football and earned All-American honors.
In 2006, Walden transferred to the University of Middle Tennessee, where he played for two seasons as a defensive end. He finished his college career with 162 tackles, 22 sacks, and four forced fumbles. Despite his impressive college stats, Walden went undrafted in the 2008 NFL Draft.
Walden signed with the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent but was released before the start of the regular season. He then signed with the Kansas City Chiefs' practice squad but was released again after just a few weeks. In November 2008, Walden signed with the Miami Dolphins, where he played in four games and recorded two tackles.
In 2009, Walden signed with the Green Bay Packers, where he played for four seasons. He played in 50 games for the Packers, starting in 26 of them. During his time in Green Bay, Walden recorded 146 tackles, 12 sacks, and three forced fumbles. He also played a key role in the Packers' Super Bowl XLV victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, recording two tackles and a sack in the game.
After his time in Green Bay, Walden signed with the Indianapolis Colts in 2013. He played in 48 games for the Colts, starting in 33 of them. During his time in Indianapolis, Walden recorded 124 tackles, 11 sacks, and three forced fumbles.
In 2016, Walden signed with the Tennessee Titans, where he played in all 16 games and recorded 36 tackles and 11 sacks. He became a free agent after the season and did not sign with another team.
Throughout his NFL career, Walden was known for his versatility and ability to play multiple positions on defense. He was also known for his toughness and work ethic, which earned him the respect of his teammates and coaches.
In conclusion, Erik Walden had a successful NFL career that spanned nearly a decade. He played for four different teams and recorded 267 tackles, 34 sacks, and nine forced fumbles. Despite going undrafted, Walden proved himself to be a valuable player and a key contributor to his teams' success.
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