Darnell Dockett returned to Paint Branch for the Panthers' first game against Seneca Valley this season and was named the honorary captain.
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By Ryan Mink
rmink@digitalsports.com

When Paint Branch junior varsity football coach Bryan Walker sits down to watch the Super Bowl this Sunday, he’ll have rooting interests on both sides.

But that doesn’t mean he’s torn.

Walker coached Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Darnell Dockett for three years at Paint Branch, contributing to the development of one of the best defensive linemen in the NFL.

But even stronger than that connection is his loyalty to his hometown Steelers.

“I hope Darnell does well,” Walker said with a laugh, “but my allegiances are with the city of Pittsburgh.”

The 6-foot-5, 260-pound lineman will surely do his best to ruin Walker’s night, just as he ruined many running backs’ nights in high school.

Dockett was named the Gatorade Defensive Player of the Year his senior year at Paint Branch and Walker said he never had a doubt that Dockett would land in the NFL someday.

“He was a kid with all the talent in the world,” Walker said. “He was a kid that could dominate whenever he decided to dominate.”

After leaving Paint Branch, Dockett went on to play at Florida State, where he made the transition to defensive tackle from defensive end and earned ACC Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2003.

In 2004, the Cardinals drafted Dockett in the third round. Just three years later, he was named a Pro Bowl alternate and now is largely credited for turning around Arizona’s defense.

Other than his raw athleticism, which Walker described as “unprecedented,” one thing that still sticks out to Walker was Dockett’s love of the game.

“He was a competitor,” Walker said. “He always enjoyed playing the game of football. There was never a time when he didn’t want to be on the football field.”

Dockett came back to visit his former high school when Paint Branch’s football team squared off against Seneca Valley for the first time this season on Sept. 26.

He addressed the Panthers in the locker room before the game, was named an honorary captain and was even open to fans and Seneca Valley players after the game.

“He could not have been more open to our athletes and our fans,” said Paint Branch Athletic Director Jeff Sullivan, who will be rooting for the Cardinals on Sunday. “He was just very supportive. We’d like to get him involved here at Paint Branch.”