Super Bowl LX MVP Kenneth Walker III could hit free agency after reports say the Seahawks won’t use the franchise tag, fueling renewed interest in his background and NFL rise.
Kenneth Walker III’s rise to national prominence reached a defining moment when he earned Super Bowl LX MVP honors with the Seattle Seahawks in 2026. The performance elevated him from rising star to household name and placed him firmly among the league’s most impactful offensive players.
As an American professional football running back for Seattle, Walker has steadily built a reputation for explosive play and postseason poise. However, in the wake of his championship breakthrough, public interest has expanded beyond the field.
Since the Super Bowl, interest in Walker has stretched well beyond football. Many supporters want to know more about his background, where he’s from, his ethnicity, and the family that raised him. The spotlight on the Seahawks running back has led to growing questions about the people and experiences that shaped him long before he reached the NFL.
His production on the field speaks for itself. Still, his path from Tennessee to the top of professional football adds another layer to his story. For many, understanding his roots and upbringing helps explain the drive and discipline that now define his game.
Kenneth Walker III Ethnicity, Nationality, and Ethnic Background
When people ask where Kenneth Walker III is from, the answer begins in Arlington, Tennessee. His birthplace, Arlington, is a small city southeast of Memphis in Shelby County.
Arlington is the kind of place where high school sports matter, and that environment helped shape Walker early on. He began making a name for himself on local fields, separating from other players with his quick acceleration and physical running style.
Walker III is American. He was born on October 20, 2000, and grew up in Tennessee, where he attended Arlington High School. After graduating, he started his college career at Wake Forest before transferring to Michigan State. At Michigan State, he broke out on a national level and earned the Doak Walker Award, given to the top running back in college football.
As for Kenneth Walker III’s race and background, he is African American. His journey reflects a long tradition of Black excellence in the NFL. He is the son of Kenneth Walker Jr. and Shaunteshia Brown, who both played important roles in shaping his character and discipline, even after separating during his childhood.
Raised in a large Memphis-area family with six siblings, Walker grew up in a household that valued faith, resilience, and hard work. Those early lessons, combined with strong parental support, laid the foundation for his rise from a small Tennessee town to college football stardom and eventually the professional stage.
Seattle Seahawks Unlikely to Use Franchise Tag on Kenneth Walker III
Fresh off his Super Bowl LX MVP performance, Kenneth Walker III may still be headed toward free agency. According to ESPN reports, the Seattle Seahawks are unlikely to place either the franchise tag or transition tag on their star running back this offseason.
Walker rushed for 135 yards in Seattle’s 29–13 win over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX. He became the first running back to earn Super Bowl MVP honors since Terrell Davis did so with the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXXII. Despite that historic showing, league sources say Seattle is prioritizing other key free agents and could focus on extending wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba instead.
If tagged, Walker would earn roughly $14–14.5 million on a one-year deal. The transition tag would cost around $11.7 million. However, Super Bowl-related salary cap pressures reportedly make that move unlikely.
Walker, 25, just completed his four-year rookie contract. During the 2025 regular season, he ran for 1,027 yards and five touchdowns. In the playoffs, he elevated his game, totaling 417 scrimmage yards. Over four seasons, he has posted 3,555 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns in 58 games.
For now, the Super Bowl MVP appears set to test the open market unless a late extension changes the picture.
AI Overview
This article covers the latest update on Kenneth Walker III’s contract situation following his Super Bowl LX MVP performance, as reports indicate the Seattle Seahawks are unlikely to use the franchise tag on the star running back. It also provides background details on his birthplace in Arlington, Tennessee, his American nationality, African-American ethnicity, and the family support system that shaped his early life and football journey.
Additional Information
- In his lone season at Michigan State, Walker won both the Walter Camp Player of the Year and Doak Walker Award. He also finished sixth in Heisman Trophy voting and earned Consensus All-American honors.
- In Super Bowl LX, Walker rushed for 135 yards, the highest total in a Super Bowl since Terrell Davis in Super Bowl XXXII. His performance powered Seattle to a 29–13 victory.
- After teammate Zach Charbonnet suffered an ACL injury in the Divisional Round, Walker’s workload increased significantly. He responded with 116 rushing yards and three touchdowns against the 49ers.
- Beyond rushing, Walker has consistently contributed as a receiver, including 31 catches for 282 yards during the 2025 season, adding versatility to Seattle’s offense.
- Kenneth Walker III’s father, Kenneth Walker Jr avoided large NFL crowds for years, but attended his son’s Super Bowl LX game in person, marking the first time he watched him play in an NFL stadium.
