A Road Seldom Traveled : Cobras’ Walton Changes Lanes From Wall Street to Arena Football

Most professional football players do not take pay cuts once the season starts. But for lineman Wesley Walton of the Los Angeles Cobras, playing in the Arena Football League has meant just that.

Earlier this year, Walton decided to leave his job as a financial analyst for Shearson Lehman Hutton on Wall Street, to play Arena Football.

“I have definitely taken a pay cut,” said Walton, as he prepared for today’s game against the New York Knights at the Sports Arena. The Cobras can clinch a playoff berth with a victory. “I figure that Wall Street will always be there, but I won’t be 24 and able to play football forever.”

At 6 feet and 250 pounds, Walton must have looked very imposing to his floor manager at Shearson Lehman Hutton, when he approached with the idea of playing Arena Football.

“He gave me permission with flying colors,” said Walton, who graduated with a BA in economics from Lehigh University. “He told me that if he had the chance, he would be ball boy for the (New York) Knicks.

“A lot of people go for security and do not take risks, but then there are those who go and have fun by taking on challenges.

“I will never regret my decision because I am having a lot of fun playing Arena Football. I’ve made friends that I will have for the rest of my life.”

Challenges are nothing new to Walton. In the summer of 1986, he spent three months in Antarctica as a general field assistant with the U.S. Antarctic Research Program.

“I was able to see places many people will never see in their lifetime; like parts of New Zealand, Hawaii, and of course, Antarctica,” Walton said. “It was a great experience, and the timing was right.”

Walton says that his experiences in the business world have helped him with his football career.

“I am conditioned to deliver results. I am used to getting up in the morning, working all day and getting the job done. I have been able to bring a professional attitude into my football career, and that has given me an advantage.

“When the coaches want something done, I know they just want results and no questions asked. Some other players have problems with that, I don’t.”

Walton, who took a leave of absence from his Wall Street job to play last season for the defunct Washington Commandos, has had to adjust to more than just playing offense and defense but also to different positions. Walton may play five positions a game.

“It is real difficult going both ways because I’m (an offensive and defensive) lineman, fullback and linebacker,” Walton said. “Last season, the adjustment on offense was tough because I had played only nose guard in college. This season, the only problems have been in playing so many positions.

Walton, who went to high school in New Jersey, is confident that the league will continue to grow.

“I feel better about the league this year than last because now every team is privately owned. Last season, the league controlled all of the teams. But now the owners make a big difference, because every team has its own identity.

“I am almost sure that the league will survive,” Walton said. “Every time I hear reference to the league, it is always a positive reaction. For example, when I used to attend USFL games and they would announce that season tickets are still on sale, the fans would laugh and boo. But throughout this league, all you get is positive feedback from the fans.”

“The fans are great, they do take notice of what you do on the field. Last week in New England, their fans were getting on me about plays I had made earlier. For example, if I made a good block or if I held, they would yell, ‘Hey 46, you held last time,’ or ‘lucky block.’ The fans know you are there.”

However, Walton has noticed the recent decline in Arena Football attendances.

“One reason for the decline could be attributed to the length of the season (12 games) compared to last season (6). The jump in the number of games may have been too big of a step for the league.”

Walton, who left Shearson Lehman Hutton this season without a guarantee to return, is not looking beyond the Arena Bowl on July 30.

“Tonight’s game is the biggest of the season for us because a win will put us into the playoffs. That is what we wanted at the start of the season. I know that I will go back and get a job on Wall Street when I am done playing, but for now I am playing for the Cobras with the goal of reaching the Arena Bowl.”

Cobra Notes

The Cobras are in fourth place with a 4-5 record. The Knights are in last at 1-8. The Knights won the season opener April 30 at the Sports Arena, 60-52, and the Cobras won, 36-22, at Madison Square Garden June 6. The Cobras signed former Atlanta Falcons kicker Nick Mike-Mayer, placing kicker Marty Zendejas on the taxi squad. ESPN will televise today’s game, which will not be shown within a 35-mile radius of the Sports Arena. Kickoff is at 5:30 p.m.