Eric Sorenson
It’s mid-week, just after 6:00AM as darkness slowly gives way to dawn in downtown Phoenix.
Bram Walden stands alone; eyes focused, arms crossed in the back of Brophy College Prep’s south end zone practice field.
10 yards in front of him the Broncos mostly young offensive line is at work, pads popping against BCP’s defensive front.
These are familiar sights and sounds for Walden, not long ago one of Arizona’s most skilled and decorated high school offensive linemen, who played at both Oregon and Arizona State before injuries forced his to retire from college football last season.
Growing Up Fast, Built to Last
Life rarely follows a script.
For Walden, his family script was flipped the summer before his senior year at Saguaro High when his mother, Brenda, passed.
As the four-star Oregon commit processed the loss, he also gained a greater perspective and foundation for the life he wanted to live honoring her.
“I like to tell people, it’s probably one of the best, worst things that’s ever happened to me,” Walden said to the “Zone Read.” “It was the worst because losing my mom, that’s obviously something that you can’t prepare for at any age.
“But, in a way, it was one of the best things that happened to me because it allowed me grow and become the man that I needed to become.”
Losing a parent is a tough mental hurdle for a child of any age.
Walden, through self-reflection and several deep conversations with his Saguaro offensive line coach and mentor, Mark Martinez, started down a path of life-long conviction to be the best version of himself.
“Facing that adversity allowed me to grow spiritually and mentally and walk down those avenues of life,” Walden explained. “I’m a man of faith so I put my trust in God and leaned into Him to help me get through that.
“I learned a lot of people love me and prayed for me. I’m going to be able to take what learned into my life and teach that to my kids and my family…[life] is something that I don’t take for granted.”
Martinez, the first person Walden called after Brenda’s passing, has seen the maturation first-hand.
“Bram’s unique life experiences have made him grow up so much quicker than many young men his age,” Martinez said to the “Zone Read.” “His resiliency is impressive and I’m proud of the man he is.
@bramwalden42 Happy Birthday to my guy. May you have a Blessed Day. Love you man pic.twitter.com/k59dpxXuxi
— Mark Martinez (@CoachMMartinez) January 21, 2022
“Bram’s faith and his relationship with God is at the center of his life.”
No Football Remorse
As I’ve scripted endless times in this space, the game can give, and the game can take away.
At Saguaro, Walden, a tireless and detailed worker, was able to navigate around the season-long bumps and bruises, often simply playing through the pain for Martinez and his fellow offensive linemen.
When Bram Walden gets his hands on you, bad things happen. pic.twitter.com/ol62fZqmBS
— ArizonaVarsity.com 🔥PREPS🔥 (@AZHSFB) June 9, 2019
His college career was mostly cut short by injuries. After redshirting in 2021, he appeared in two games with the Ducks in ’22 before transferring to ASU and appearing in games the last two seasons, starting five.
Walden graduated last December with a degree in Liberal Studies, then retired, despite having an additional year of eligibility this season.
“I don’t have any regrets,” said Walden. “Going to Oregon, I’m happy I experienced that. I met a lot of great people and they’re a great program. Then, having the opportunity to come home.
Word on the streets is my man @bramwalden42 is killing up in Eugene 🦆 pic.twitter.com/opoILsqeLn
— Jason Mohns 🔱 🏈 (@CoachMohns) April 13, 2021
“Injuries are something that I can’t control. I gave football everything I had every day. Didn’t matter if I was hurt or fully healthy, I had the same mindset every time I came in.
“[But] it was time for me to move into my next chapter.”
Coach Walden
“When I got done [playing], honestly,” Walden said without hesitation. “I thought I was done.”
Until he realized his time in the game had a few more chapters to script.
During one of Walden’s daily phone conversations with Martinez, the idea of coaching came up.
It started with Martinez, one of the most well-respected offensive line coaches in Arizona, asking if he’d like to help train some players last spring.
After more discussions, he was eventually offered a staff position to work under Martinez on varsity.
Walden jumped at the chance.
“It’s been a great opportunity for me, giving back to the kids,” he explained. “Teaching them some things and pouring back into them. They want to learn, and they have a good mindset coming in.
“It’s been awesome.”
Martinez agrees the fit, for several reasons, has been beneficial to everyone.
“As a recent college athlete, he has a unique perspective that enables him to share with our line,” he noted. “His athleticism kicks in as he jumps in during drills to demonstrate proper form and technique.
“Even in discussions with coaches, he’s not hesitant to add his voice to the conversation.”
Brophy head coach Jason Jewell, a former standout offensive linemen himself, has enjoyed having Walden on the staff, as well.
“He’s got a lot of energy,” Jewell said. “He’s sharp…the kids have a lot of respect for that. If he wanted to pursue this [full-time] down the road, he’d be a good coach.”
Focused on the Future
Walden leaves BCP practices just a bit early most mornings because, well, the 22-year-old is now part of the work force and professional life calls.
He’s currently working as an account executive at InXpress in Scottsdale and already has a few big-picture thoughts of his business career path moving forward.
“It’s been pretty awesome,” Walden said about transitioning from P4 athlete to the corporate world. “I still have the same drive, the same competitiveness [I did as a player].
“I wake up at 4AM to be [at practice], and work until 5:00. I love it. I like to stay busy.”
For Martinez, his time with Walden has flown by.
“It’s been really something special to see him transition from the student I met many years ago to now,” said Martinez. “The whole situation is a bit surreal.
“I look forward to many more years of watching Bram’s success.”
