Anthony Walker Jr.’s request was certainly not a small one.
The Miami Dolphins linebacker wanted to give personalized high school jerseys to the entire team.
When Walker went to Anthony Castro, the founder and CEO of All Stars Miami, a company which customizes high school jerseys, Castro just requested Walker give him the 53-man active roster.
But Walker didn’t want jerseys for just the active roster. He wanted them for everyone on the practice squad, and he wanted them for coaches.
“You sure?” Walker remembered Castro asking.
“Absolutely."
On Dec. 14, when Walker presented replica jerseys to each of his teammates for Christmas, the reaction in the locker room was exactly what he and Castro had hoped for — but the national reception was even more overwhelming.
The video, which the Dolphins posted to their social media channels, has been shared around the country and shown to millions, with unanimous praise.
“He really deserves the love that he's getting,” Castro said. “He really went above and beyond.”
But this was never supposed to be a holiday gift.
Walker, a 29-year-old Miami native, signed with the Dolphins this past offseason. His home, though, is in Dallas. With little time to go back to Texas and bring his entire wardrobe to Miami before the season began, Walker decided he would wear high school jerseys of Miami legends to all home games.
“The guys that have helped me,” Walker said, “that have really shown me the way.”
Walker contacted Castro to purchase the jerseys. The two met in September, and immediately an idea sparked.
Since starting All Stars Miami two years ago, Castro had always wanted to build out the entire Dolphins roster as a special project. He even pitched the idea to the Dolphins’ team barbers in January.
He just needed a player willing to execute the idea.
’Tis the season for NFL players giving each other expensive gifts.
— cllct (@cllctMedia) December 24, 2024
Dolphins LB @__AWalkJr wanted to do something special — and his thoughtful gesture for the ENTIRE ROSTER forged “teammates for life." pic.twitter.com/e6UQrlzOgD
“I know the impact,” Castro said. “I know it. ... Whoever does it, whoever's down for it, man, they're gonna have teammates for life with this.”
For Walker, there was zero hesitation. And he wanted more than just the active roster, which would take time.
Initially, this gift was supposed to come in October, and not centered around the holidays. But the roster kept changing. Players were added, cut and traded; and the turnaround time for each jersey was two to three weeks, so any time there was a roster change, the deadline was pushed back.
And to Walker, it didn't matter if you were on another team now. Even Tim Boyle, who is currently a backup quarterback for the Giants and was cut by Miami on Oct. 4, received his Xavier (Conn.) High School jersey.
But why was this idea so beloved by teammates and national media, especially in a world where some players are given trucks and Rolex watches?
“The one word I keep seeing people use, and a lot of my teammates kept saying was just how thoughtful it was,” Walker said. “You know, not just the 'go and splurge' and spend some money, but really put some thought and effort into it.
“We all make a good amount of money. We could all go get pretty much anything that we had that we wanted. But when you can really take your time and do something really, really thoughtful for the guys, I think that that kind of trend transforms it a little bit.”
For some, it’s about their own personal collections as well.
Tight end Jonnu Smith, who Walker said had the best reaction, attended West Port High School in Ocala, Fla., a city about five hours north of Miami.
Smith, who set team records in receptions and receiving yards for a tight end this season, owned all four of his NFL jerseys and his Florida International jersey, but didn’t own his high school jersey, Walker said.
“Most high schools don't have their last name on the back,” Castro added. “I'm putting your name on the back of the jersey, too.”
In the holiday spirit ???? pic.twitter.com/9HyaX3JOIf
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) December 14, 2024
The gesture also brought players back to their high school days, which for some, are invaluable. High school football in Florida is almost mythical, with countless natives who became NFL legends, including Ray Lewis, Deion Sanders and Emmitt Smith.
Walker, himself, was a standout at Monsignor Edward Pace High School, where his father coaches, and Walker now works as an assistant coach, following his move back to the area.
Each jersey, like each player’s path, is distinctive.
“It's just a piece of you, something that can't be taken away,” Walker said. “The name, the number, the high school. All of our journeys have been very unique. Some guys are five-star recruits. Some guys (are) no star, JUCO, however, they got here. But we're all in the same spot. ...
"(We all) put in a lot of work to be here and to have that moment, to just go back and, you know, reflect on all the hard work and all the blessings that you've had along the way. The journey is very special.”
“For that moment, you went back to high school,” Castro added. “Back to where it all started.”
Matt Liberman is a reporter and video producer for cllct.