Kenneth Walker III Dominates 49ers, Then Schools Tom Brady
Kenneth Walker III delivered a masterclass performance against the San Francisco 49ers on January 17. The Seattle Seahawks running back did more than just advance his team in the NFC Divisional Round. He also gave Tom Brady a memorable reality check during a live television interview.
The Viral Exchange That Captured Football Fans
Tom Brady attempted his friendly Michigan recruiting angle during Walker's postgame interview. The legendary quarterback smiled while telling the young star, "I know as a Michigan State guy, we could have used you at Michigan all those years."
Walker did not play along with the diplomatic approach. Instead, he delivered the perfect two-word response that resonated across social media immediately. "Go green," he replied simply, referencing his Michigan State allegiance.
Brady fired back with the only comeback available in that moment, saying "Go blue" in defense of his Michigan roots. The exchange traveled faster than game highlights across sports media platforms.
A Performance That Earned The Moment
Walker's response carried weight because he had just completed one of the weekend's most impressive performances. His statistics told the story of complete dominance:
- 19 carries for 116 rushing yards
- Three rushing touchdowns
- Three receptions for 29 additional yards
That production earned him Brady's LFG Player of the Game recognition. More importantly, it established Walker as the best player on the field that night. When you carry an offense with three touchdowns and nearly 150 total yards, you earn the right to speak your mind.
Michigan State Identity Runs Deep
This was not random trash talk from Walker. The running back has consistently made his Michigan State identity part of his NFL personality. He represents his alma mater whenever the opportunity presents itself.
Walker's Spartan legacy began quickly after his January 2021 commitment. He broke off a long touchdown on his very first play for Michigan State. His college career peaked with several notable achievements:
- Winning the prestigious Doak Walker Award
- Helping Michigan State reach an 11-win season
- Scoring five touchdowns in a comeback victory over Michigan
That five-touchdown performance against Michigan cemented his "Spartan legend" status. Michigan State fans still reference that game first when discussing Walker's college career, even though he spent only one season in East Lansing.
Why This Exchange Resonated With Fans
The beauty of Walker's response lies in its simplicity and timing. Brady's "we could have used you" line functioned as both a compliment and an invitation. Walker declined the invitation without directly saying no. He used the two words that mean rejection in that particular rivalry context.
Even in another clip from the same postgame setting, Walker maintained consistent energy. He wrapped the exchange by telling Brady, "I appreciate you, brother," before adding "go green" once more for good measure.
Brady laughed off the exchange on air, but Walker ultimately got the last word. This reflects how Michigan-Michigan State moments typically conclude when the Spartan enjoys the better night.
The entire interaction worked because Walker earned his moment through performance before speaking a single word. His dominant showing against the 49ers gave him the platform to represent his college allegiance proudly. When you torch an NFL defense for three touchdowns, you can afford to keep your answers simple and let your play do most of the talking.
