Wayne Walker, a 15-year NFL veteran and former longtime sports director for KPIX-TV in San Francisco, died Friday at the age of 80 after fighting Parkinson’s disease, the station announced.
Walker led the sports department at KPIX, the local CBS affiliate, from 1974 to 1994 before returning to his home town of Boise, Idaho, where he lived until his death.
After playing college football at the University of Idaho, Walker was drafted by the Detroit Lions and went on to play 200 games with the franchise. He played as both a linebacker and placekicker, and was a three-time Pro Bowler. He finished his career with 345 points, which is ninth all-time in Lions history.
After finishing his playing career, Walker took over as sports director at KPIX. He also served as a commentator on 49ers radio broadcasts for 20 years, and did additional radio broadcasts of Oakland A’s games. Walker also did regional broadcasts of NFL games on CBS, including 49ers games.
He was widely respected by players and fans alike for his past experience as an NFL player that gave him extra credibility on his broadcasts.
Walker announced he was battling Parkinson’s disease in 2015 and cited the multiple concussions he suffered in his NFL career as a reason for the disease. He is survived by his wife wife Sylvia, sons Steve and Doug, daughter Kathy and eight grandchildren.
