Follow Pierre Walters on Instagram and Facebook -Â
Fighting has always been in the blood of former Eastern Illinois defensive end Pierre Walters. Whether it's been fighting for a roster spot on a football team, fighting for the young men and women he councils, or fighting professionally in the MMA, Walters has always been up to the challenge.
As a young athlete coming out of Westchester Saint Joseph High School in the Chicago suburbs; a school known more for its basketball prowess than football success, Walters was able to earn a chance to play football at the Division I level with an offer from Eastern Illinois.
As he was fighting for time on the field that would eventually lead to a professional shot in the National Football League, he was well aware of the opportunities being offered to him at EIU and the doors those would open down the road.
"While at EIU I was exposed to everything I was seeking. An elite Football / Athletics program and a strong Social Sciences Department," said Walters. "I've always had an interest in helping people and communities. The sociology professors at EIU helped sustain my interest with their interactive class setting."
Following two All-American seasons in 2007 and 2008 as a defensive end for the Panthers, Walters signed as a free agent with the Kansas City Chiefs and was on the practice squad and active roster for three seasons appearing in three games after moving to an outside linebacker position in the Chiefs 3-4 defensive scheme.
Walters NFL time came to a close in 2011 and he played one season in the Arena Football League with his home town team the Chicago Blitz. After retiring from football in 2012 he put his EIU degree to work giving back to his community with a job with Pillars Community Health and Social Services Agency.
"I enjoy being a support for young men & women and their families. I choose to work for Pillars because it is one of the first non-profit agencies in Illinois to integrate primary medical and dental care with mental health and social services. It was the perfect company to start with in order to utilize my Sociology degree."
As a member of three FCS playoff teams and a player that ranks fourth all-time at EIU in career tackles for loss, one of Walters favorite memories as a Panthers player was a team success and big play by a teammate.
"I have dozens of memories from EIU football but beating Jacksonville State on the road in 2007 to win the OVC Championship is my most vivid. We cleared the sidelines and rushed the field when defensive end Michael Torres intercepted the ball for a 40-yard touchdown to ice the game. That was an instant classic."
Not as fond in the memory bank are the grueling days of being a student-athlete and the hard work and sacrifice that is put in, day-in, day out.
"I don't miss anything about being a student-athlete. Those were tough years I'm glad are in the past. I'm grateful for those years because they created the foundation for my professional life."
Another foundation that helped build Walters into the person he is today was the support of coaches along the way. He has many role models but a few have stood out for him.
"A lot of former coaches and teammates inspire me today. They are successful men with babies. Coach Roc Bellantoni, a former EIU assistant coach now at the University of Buffalo, always inspired me as a player and still inspires me to this day. I know many former EIU players who feel the same way."
Wanting to pass along some of the lessons learned in football and life to the next generation of young men, Walters started coaching at his former high school in 2012 as an assistant coach. In 2016 Walters helped the program post a 7-3 record and make the IHSA Class 2A State playoffs. Both the winning record and state playoff appearance were the first in school history, things Walters takes pride in.
"I started coaching upon retiring from football in 2012 in order to stay close to the game. I'm proud to pass down knowledge about the game of football and to have the ability to share my experiences with high school players. Watching my players grow into young men and graduation is rewarding."
While helping others in the community and watching a group of players he coached succeed, something still tugged at Walters to want to compete.
Enter Mixed Martial Arts.
"In a nutshell, I decided to fight because I'm not done as a professional athlete."
Walters began his MMA career as an amateur and racked up several awards before making his professional debut. He holds a pair of Amateur Championships – Amateur TFC Light Weight Champion and Amateur More MMA Light Heavyweight Champion. He won his professional debut and will return to cage again late this fall after taking some time off following the recent passing of his mother. When he does return to action he is an up-and-coming professional prospect in yet another sport. He is the No. 2 ranked Pro Light Heavyweight in Illinois, ranked Top 50 Pro LHW in the Midwest and a 'Gauntlet MMA' 2018 Top US Light Heavyweight Prospect.
"I love testing myself in the most pure form of competition – mixed martial arts fighting. The freedom of the sport is my favorite."
Sport: Football
Graduation Year: 2008
Major: Sociology
Â
