The NFL Playoffs have featured some impressive performances by former Michigan State players.
We’ve seen several Spartans in the postseason, but one performance stood out above the rest, and it helped lead his team to the conference championship against the winner of Bears vs. Rams. Kenneth Walker III had one of the most impressive games of any running back in the playoffs thus far, totaling nearly 150 yards and three touchdowns in the divisional round against the 49ers.
The former Michigan State running back had 19 carries for 116 yards and three touchdowns along with three receptions for 29 yards. He was the best player on the field on Saturday night.
Which is why he was named Tom Brady’s LFG Player of the Game.
During his post-game interview with the Michigan legend, he made sure to slip in a troll, hitting Brady with a “go green”. The Hall of Fame quarterback’s reaction was priceless.
"I appreciate you, brother, go green!" @Seahawks RB and @MSU_Football alum @Kenneth_Walker9 had some fun with @TomBrady after being named his #LFG Player of the Game! pic.twitter.com/OVnzei6MxR
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) January 18, 2026
The “I appreciate you, brother” followed up with a “go green” caught everyone off guard. Brady wasn’t expecting it, obviously, but he took it like a pro, laughing it off.
Brady did kind of ask for it, telling K9 that the Wolverines could’ve used him back in his college days, and Walker hit him with a “nah” and then trolled him with the “go green”. This is one of the many reasons that Walker is a Spartan legend — he has embraced the rivalry.
Kenneth Walker III, Spartan legend
Starting with his commitment in January of 2021, Walker had a different vibe around him. His teammates were hyping him up during spring ball, coaches were raving about him, and he quickly soared up the depth chart as the RB1 by Week 1 against Northwestern.
Walker then broke off a long touchdown run in his first play as a Spartan, and the rest was history. He won the Doak Walker Award, led Michigan State to an 11-win season, and he had a five-touchdown performance in a come-from-behind win over Michigan. That cemented his legacy as a Spartan legend. He should never have to pay for another drink or another meal in East Lansing again.
Even though he was in East Lansing for just one season, he made it his home and still makes sure to represent Michigan State in the NFL, shouting the Spartans out whenever he can.
It’s been fun to watch his NFL journey, so he deserved a game like the one he had against the 49ers.