Delaware free safety counts himself blessed

NEWARK, Del. - Anthony Walters can only shake his head in gratitude.

The Delaware free safety has experienced the sort of unconditional love and guidance over the years that he'll never forget.

Walters believes that support - more so than his tireless work ethic - has helped him become arguably the most versatile Blue Hen.

He had his older brother, Will Walters, who never let him settle for giving anything less than 100 percent.

He had his mother, Lisa Bloxom, who always kept a watchful eye on him and demanded that he'd become well-spoken and college educated.

And he had his stepfather, Deitrick Bloxom, who was always making sacrifices to be at his side.

"Without my dad, none of this would have been possible. I really believe that," Walters said last week at Delaware Stadium.

The fifth-year senior from West Philadelphia is on pace to get a degree in hotel, restaurant and institutional management in the spring. He'll become the first college graduate in his family.

"And between my brother, my mom and my dad, my immediate family has always been there," he said. "So when I'm playing, I definitely think I represent my whole family."

Since redshirting in 2006, Walters has started in 37 games. The 6-foot-1, 195-pounder has stood out at cornerback and strong safety through his first three seasons.

As a result, Walters, who turns 22 on Sept. 19, is Delaware's active career leader in tackles (183), solo tackles (129), interceptions (nine) and pass breakups (23).

He ranks fourth all-time in forced fumbles (four) at Delaware.

"He's a very intelligent football player," Blue Hens strong safety Anthony Bratton said. "He's been able to learn all of the positions easily."

Looking to utilize his ball-hawking skills, Delaware moved the 2009 first-team all-Colonial Athletic Association cornerback to free safety this summer.

"I like it. Free safety is more fun," Walters said. "You are always busy. You are always around the ball. At corner, if they are not throwing your way, you are kind of just hanging out."

Walters added that just being a four-year starter is gratifying enough.

"Where I grew up [59th Street and Cobbs Creek], not a lot of people made it out of there from the people I know," Walters said.

"You had drug dealers driving around in new cars," Will Walters said. "So guys didn't feel as though going to school was going to get them [money and fame] instead of being patient."

As a way to keep her sons out of trouble, Lisa Bloxom did not permit them to hang out in the neighborhood.