MIAMI, FL – Tragedy struck his family and friends as well as the entire Baltimore Ravens organization, as they all lost Tray Walker not too long ago.
Walker was struck by an SUV riding on his motorcycle in Miami, FL on March 17th, losing his fight with severe head trauma few days later in the hospital.
About a week later, hundreds gathered in his hometown on Miami, crowding into the 93rd Street Community Baptist Church to pay respects and celebrate the life of Walker.
The Ravens owner Steve Biscotti charted a flight down from Baltimore to the funeral, to which many players and coaches attended. Notables included Pro Bowl wide receiver Steve Smith and head coach John Harbaugh, who gave a speech during the ceremony, telling light-hearted stories about Walker, including his struggled with adjusting to the frigid Maryland winter and his sheer dedication to learning the playbook and the NFL game after joining the team.
Harbaugh noted the thing he would remember the most about Walker was his personality. According to his coach, he found that when the team was lined up on the sideline for the Star-Spangled Banner before games, Walker would be right behind him, potentially trying to get a little TV screen time.
“The thing I loved the most about this guy, this young man, was that Tray Walker smile,” Harbaugh said. “That smile could light up a room.”
The Ravens showed their respect on social media as well, posting this photo of outside the team’s practice facility, where the flags now fly half mast:
For Tray. May you always look down on us from above.#RIPTrayWalkerpic.twitter.com/pvvl5Lm9QK
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) March 26, 2016
Harbaugh concluded the speech with”Tray Walker, we love you, and we’re going to miss you.”