Allen Park — Lions defensive tackle Tyrunn Walker didn’t become a household name during his three seasons with the Saints. Even teammates didn’t refer to him by his name.
Everyone called him Clyde.
Saints defensive line coach Bill Johnson, described as a “country fella” by Walker, couldn’t pronounce Walker’s first name, so at one point during the offseason his rookie year, the coach decided to call him Clyde.
And the name stuck.
“I was an undrafted rookie,” he said. “I don’t care what you call me as long as you pay me.”
Looking back, Walker admitted the name irked him, and he’s not pleased Lions receiver Lance Moore and safety Isa Abdul-Quddus, who were with the Saints in Walker’s first two years, still call him Clyde.