The agent for Tray Walker, the Baltimore Ravens cornerback who died Friday from injuries sustained in a dirt bike accident, is asking NFL players to be cautious and consider the risks of their off-field actions.
“It’s so unfortunate to see this happen to a lot of these guys,” Ron Butler told USA TODAY Sports. “It’s these bikes. The guys get into these accidents. There was no chance of him surviving. I didn’t even know he owned a bike.”
Walker, 23, collided with an SUV while atop a dirt bike in North Miami on Thursday night. He died from head and other injuries on Friday.
Walker’s Honda dirt bike didn’t have a headlamp and he was wearing dark clothing at the time of the accident, the Miami-Dade police said in a statement on Friday. Police said the investigation into the accident is ongoing.
Hours before news of Walker’s death was confirmed, Ravens coach John Harbaugh wrote an open letter to the team and pleaded for players to “turn away from unnecessary and risky behavior.”
“I am asking you to consider what is at stake in your life,” Harbaugh wrote. “Consider what your thoughts, actions and choices mean to those around you. Live your life fully and with purpose.”
Butler agreed with Harbaugh’s sentiments.
“I think what Coach Harbaugh wrote was very accurate,” Butler said. “A decision you make can only take two seconds to go wrong. I think he hit it right on the head with that statement. I don’t disagree one bit.”
