Kings Park Teacher and Former New York Jet Visits Farmingdale

With anticipation stirring for the AFC Championship game, New York Jets fans got the opportunity to meet a legendary team player and stock up on a new Jets wine at Saturday.

The wine tasting was to promote Jets Uncorked, the team's new signature wine. Former wide receiver and New York Jets MVP attended the tasting, where he greeted fans and spoke about the wine.

"I love the wine, I'm partial to it because I had a place in Napa Valley," Walker said. "I was very surprised, it's a very good wine and I'm glad to be able to share it with the fans."

A California native, Walker played with the New York team from 1978-1989, and was chosen for the Pro-Bowl in 1978 and 1982. "I had a four touchdown game against the Miami Dolphins," Walker said of his most memorable career moment. "I caught one touchdown with no time left which was very exciting, one of the best catches I've made. I was able to catch the winning touchdown for the overtime."

Walker moved to Dix Hills at the start of his NFL career and still resides in his first Long Island home. The football star has made the transition from a professional athlete to an elementary physical education teacher and currently works in the Kings Park school district.

"Education has always been a big factor in my life," he said. "I was a good student, and I try to instill that in athletes. Some athletes limit themselves by not doing well in school."

"I had to have something else to fall back on, which I do now," Walker added. "Injuries are a big factor."

Fans from all over Long Island visited Stew Leonard's on Saturday to meet an all-time great and try out the new Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.

"Our daughters went to pre-school together when he was still playing," said Terry, a Jets fan from Deer Park. "I just remember how kind he was; he always took time, a very nice person to know."

Chris Link, a lifelong Farmingdale resident, brought his son Chris to meet Walker at Saturday's event. The duo was dressed in green and white with high hopes for yesterday's game against the Steelers. Link was impressed with the team's signature drink. "I'm really not much of a wine drinker but it's very good," he said during the tasting.

Sarah Hollis, a Stew Leonard's employee from Connecticut, said the staff was excited to have Walker as a guest, and went on to explain how humble and friendly the former Jet was to everyone at the store, especially the fans.

"I enjoy the true fans, and when I played it was always for the fans," Walker said. "The fans that are there whether you win or lose, that's what I like the most."

Although the Jets were unable to capture the title and earn a trip to Superbowl XLV, Walker never doubted his team.

"I'm very proud this season, I like that they've had success and they've been through a lot," he said."Throughout all of it, they believe in themselves. Whether they lose or win the game, I'm very proud of the team."