Jarace Walker hits the anvil before kickoff of Colts-Rams (Video)
The Pacers' 2023 top pick had the honor of firing up the Indy crowd on Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Two days before his first official practice as a member of the Indiana Pacers, 2023 lottery pick Jarace Walker had the honor of taking part in a pre-game tradition to fire up the Indianapolis Colts crowd.
He was invited to strike the anvil.
Up in the corner of Lucas Oil Stadium prior to Colts vs LA Rams, the 20-year old was introduced to the crowd before he picked up the hammer and pounded away three times.
Walker wore a custom Colts jersey with his last name and number on the back. (Remember, he is No. 5 after giving Obi Toppin No. 1.)
Each of his teammates had on a jersey as well, excluding Tyrese Haliburton, who chose to wear a throwback Colts Starter jacket instead.
Other Pacers players have been on anvil duties before Walker — like Victor Oladipo, Myles Turner and Haliburton.
This is the second straight week Walker has attended the Colts game. He was born in Baltimore so he’s a Ravens fan, and he was in the stands for the Colts’ overtime win in Baltimore one week ago.
Nine of the core 15-man roster were in attendance, according to a photo shared by the team: Walker, Haliburton, Turner, Bennedict Mathurin, Andrew Nembhard, T.J. McConnell, Daniel Theis, Jalen Smith and Ben Sheppard.
Kendall Brown and Isaiah Wong also were there with the group.
It says a lot that so many players chose to go to the game on what is their final off day of the offseason. Work begins tomorrow. (And much of that group is back after participating in a brief mini-camp in Nashville this past week.)
Before the game, Mathurin met Colts 2023 first-round pick Anthony Richardson and they exchanged jerseys. Richardson was born in Miami so I assume he’s a Heat fan whereas Mathurin was born in Montreal and grew up playing hockey.
(Shout-out to multiple friends at the game for sharing their videos with me.)
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