Rutgers Home Opener Honors Local Teen, 14, Who Had Brain Surgery

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ — At the Rutgers' season opening home football game Sept. 4 against Temple, a North Brunswick teen boy was honored.

Anthony Walker, 14, was saluted for his bravery and strength after he acquired an infection that required emergency brain surgery.

Walker was named the Shining Knight of the Game, which Rutgers won 61-14.

After experiencing headaches in early June, Walker went to Saint Barnabas Medical Center, an RWJBarnabas Health facility. There, the medical team identified that fluid from an infection had traveled to his brain, and he required immediate emergency surgery to relieve the pressure.

After having a piece of his skull removed, Anthony remained in the hospital for two weeks. He also had to miss his 8th grade graduation.

Once discharged, he received treatment throughout the summer.

A standout quarterback for his Pop Warner and AAU teams, Anthony had aspirations of playing high school football this season; he's a freshman at North Brunswick High School.

But he now has a second surgery scheduled in late September to insert a plate in his head. This means he must sit out this season and focus on his recovery.

He said he still plans to support his North Brunswick teammates as their No. 1 fan.

As he was honored as a Shining Knight of the Game, Anthony was surrounded by his parents, step-mom and dad, and his closest friends. He was also met in the south end zone by the Scarlet Knight mascot for a special Knighting ceremony. Alongside the Scarlet Knight, Anthony was saluted and promptly raising a sword in triumph to a rousing ovation from Scarlet Nation.

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