Titans’ Delanie Walker doesn’t learn names of rookies

Delanie Walker is one of the veteran leaders on the Tennessee Titans but he’s not about to play nice with the incoming group of rookies on the team.

Delanie Walker is one of the be better success stories in the NFL after he stuck around for 10 years after he was a sixth-round pick out of Central Missouri State.

He probably didn’t think he’d be in the NFL a decade later, but here he is and he even signed a nice extension in the offseason. He’s one of the veteran leaders on the Tennessee Titans and one of the more underrated tight ends in the NFL.

Just don’t try talking to him if you’re a rookie in the NFL because Walker isn’t going to give you proper respect until you’ve earned your place on the team.

“I don’t get to know anybody until they make the team,” Walker said, via The Tennesseean. “I talk to them, but they might not be here. There ain’t too much I need to learn from them till they make the team. That’s everybody. Anyone that’s a rookie.

“You’ve got to earn the right. These rookies come in nowadays, stuff’s given to them. I’m not going to be your friend until you make the team.”

No, this is not rookie hazing or bullying, and I don’t think this is uncommon in the least. It may be a little extreme by not learning the names of the rookies, but I understand not making deep connections with someone who may be gone in a week.

On the other hand, it is a little petty, right?

Just be the bigger man and learn the names of guys like Jack Conklin, Kevin Dodd, Derrick Henry and the other top draft picks who you’ll be going to battle with this year.

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