Sculptureworks, Inc.

Blair Buswell
"Doak Walker" Monument
Bronze, 9' H

Part of the permanent collection of Southern Methodist University.

doak walker monument
The "Doak Walker" Monument is located in the Doak Walker Plaza at the northeast corner of Gerald J. Ford Stadium on the campus of SMU. Photograph by Elizabeth Loggins.
The "Doak Walker" Monument on the campus of SMU. Photograph by Elizabeth Loggins.

doak walker monument
The "Doak Walker" Monument on the campus of SMU. Photograph by Elizabeth Loggins.
The "Doak Walker" Monument on the campus of SMU. Photograph by Elizabeth Loggins.

doak walker monument
Detail of the "Doak Walker" Monument. Photograph by Elizabeth Loggins.
The "Doak Walker" Monument on the campus of SMU. Photograph by Larry Chenault.

SMU running back Doak Walker epitomized leadership, sportsmanship, and academic and athletic achievement during his collegiate football career in the late 1940s. doak walker monument
Sculptor Blair Buswell stands next to the completed clay version of the 9' H "Doak Walker" Monument.

The finished clay version of the "Doak Walker" Monument in Sculptor Blair Buswell's studio. doak walker monument
The finished clay version of the "Doak Walker" Monument in Sculptor Blair Buswell's studio.

The finished clay version of the "Doak Walker" Monument in Sculptor Blair Buswell's studio. doak walker monument
The finished clay version of the "Doak Walker" Monument in Sculptor Blair Buswell's studio.

Blair Buswell's 9' tall "Doak Walker" Monument depicts the elusive Doak darting away from the defender.

SMU running back Ewell "Doak" Walker epitomized leadership, sportsmanship, and academic and athletic achievement during his collegiate football career in the late 1940s. The versatile Walker, who also punted, returned punts and kickoffs, and kicked extra points, earned All-America honors in 1947, 1948 and 1949. In 1948, Walker won the Heisman Trophy. His jersey number 37 was the sole number in the history of SMU athletics to be retired.

"The Doaker" was a national phenomenon, gracing the covers of numerous national magazines. After completing college, he went on to play for the Detroit Lions, where he was the league-scoring champion with 128 points during his rookie season in 1950. During his six years with the Lions, he led the team to NFL Championships in 1952 and 1953 and was named All-Pro four times. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1959 and the NFL Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1986. On September 27, 1998, 50 years to the day after appearing on the cover of Life Magazine, Walker passed away due to complications from a skiing accident.

Sculptor Blair Buswell also created the "Doak Walker Award" and "Doak Walker Legends Award", which are awarded annually as an honor and tribute to the memory of Doak Walker.

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