Running back Kenneth Walker III made Super Bowl LX a memorable event as he led the Seattle Seahawks to a 29-13 triumph over the New England Patriots at Levi’s Stadium on Sunday night. The victory was made even more special because Walker’s father, Kenneth Walker Jr., attended an NFL game for the first time and witnessed his son earn the Super Bowl MVP award.
Walker III, who carried the Seahawks’ offense, expressed the significance of his father’s presence.
“My dad, he comes out to Seattle a lot to watch games, but he never goes to the game because he doesn’t like crowds,”
Walker said after the game.
“So this is his first NFL game, and we won a Super Bowl. It means a lot to me, and I know he’s proud of me for real.”
Kenneth Walker III
First-Time Attendance at an NFL Game Brings Family Together
Walker Jr.’s attendance was encouraged by the player’s agent, David Cantor, who convinced him to be at the game. Walker Jr. wasn’t alone; he sat alongside his wife, Walker III’s mother, and his younger son, sharing in the excitement of the historic night. For this milestone event, Walker Jr. was even mic’d up, capturing the raw family pride and emotion as his son dominated on the field.
Kenneth Walker III’s Dominant Performance Leads Seahawks
In his fourth NFL season after joining from Michigan State University, Walker III took on a crucial role due to the absence of his backfield partner Zach Charbonnet, who was sidelined by an ACL injury. Walker III responded with a remarkable display, rushing for 135 yards on 27 carries and adding 26 receiving yards on two catches. He energized Seattle’s offense early by breaking off runs of 30, 29, and 10 yards during the first two scoring drives, consistently moving the chains that helped build the Seahawks’ lead.
Walker III’s stellar postseason performance built momentum that culminated at the Super Bowl. In the Divisional Round against the San Francisco 49ers, he racked up 116 yards and three touchdowns, and in the NFC Championship Game versus the Los Angeles Rams, he contributed 62 yards and another touchdown. His regular season had already shown his promise with a total of 1,027 rushing yards.
Impact on the Team’s Super Bowl Victory
Kenneth Walker III became the first running back to earn Super Bowl MVP honors since Terrell Davis with the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXXII. Despite the Seahawks’ passing attack, led by quarterback Sam Darnold, struggling against a tough Patriots defense and limited involvement from wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Walker secured control of the game through his ground efforts.
Seattle’s defense also played a key role by forcing three turnovers from New England quarterback Drake Maye. A pivotal moment came late in the fourth quarter when linebacker Uchenna Nwosu returned an interception 45 yards for a touchdown. Though a potential Walker touchdown was nullified by a holding penalty, his impact on the game remained unquestioned as his ability to escape tackles and consistently gain yardage kept the Seahawks in scoring position throughout.
Significance and What Lies Ahead for Walker
Kenneth Walker III’s breakthrough performance in the Super Bowl not only guaranteed Seattle’s championship but also announced his arrival among the NFL’s elite backs. Having carried the Seahawks’ rushing attack to new heights in the absence of Charbonnet, Walker’s achievements will likely elevate his role within the team moving forward. His father’s first in-person experience watching his son’s success only deepens the narrative of perseverance, family commitment, and the promise of more to come for the Seahawks and their star running back.
Kenneth Walker III had his dad in the stands for the first time in his NFL career tonight.
He got to watch his son win Super Bowl MVP while in attendance 👏 pic.twitter.com/0FmzuED68H
— ESPN (@espn) February 9, 2026
