SAN FRANCISCO – Delanie Walker made an appearance at Super Bowl LX Radio Row here this week.
On Sunday, he'll be making an appearance on televisions across the world.
The former Titans tight end will be among current and former NFL tight ends featured in a commercial for Novartis designed to encourage men to get screened for prostate cancer with an easy blood test.
"You see me in it?," Walker said with a smile. "I thought it went great. Everyone I've talked to that's seen it say they think it went great, too."
Football fans can judge for themselves on Sunday.
The ad stars current NFL tight ends George Kittle (San Francisco 49ers) and Colby Parkinson (Los Angeles Rams), as well as retired tight ends Rob Gronkowski (Patriots, Buccaneers), Greg Olsen (Panthers), Tony Gonzalez (Falcons), Vernon Davis (San Francisco 49ers) and Walker.
Coach Bruce Arians, diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2007, is also in the ad.
The group of players is shown relaxing, doing yoga, lounging in a pool, and painting.
Walker appears in a hammock in the commercial, which was filmed in Los Angeles.
"We just really want to stop the stigma on what people think of a cancer screening," said Walker, who recorded 504 receptions for 5,888 yards and 36 touchdowns in 183 NFL game. During his Titans career (2013-2019), he was named to the Pro Bowl in 2015, 2016, and 2017, and he was selected a captain four times.
"Guys my age, 40 and up, when you think about prostate cancer they think of rectal exams. With this campaign, we are just trying to get people to understand it is as easy as a blood test, and that is where the campaign, "Relax, it's a blood test' comes from."
Walker laughed when asked about the other name for the campaign: "Relax your tight end."
"Obviously having that Super Bowl spot, you want to have some sense of humor but also get your message across," Walker said. "Having the tight ends just made sense, because when you think about prostate cancer, it begins with the tight ends.
"If we can get more people talking about it, being more health conscious in 2026, I feel like we've done our job."
The campaign hits close to home for Walker – his father-in-law died from prostate cancer.
"So, I am thankful to be a part of it and get the message out," Walker said. "If he had caught it earlier, maybe we could have prevented it from happening. But that's the message, to try and catch in early. If you can catch it early, you can prevent it from taking your life."
On the football front, Walker said he pays close attention to the Titans.
He thinks the team got it right with the hiring of Robert Saleh as head coach.
"A lot of changes, but I am excited, though," Walker said. "You know how it goes, it's hard work for coaches, it's hard work for GMs. I know they feel like they found the right guy, and I feel like they found the right guy. I think he has that same mentality as Mike Vrabel – I hate to bring him up, but at the end of the day, this is where we're at, you know what I mean? You let one coach go, and you try and make it work with the next one.
"I think coach Saleh is going to bring that same relentless attitude, that physicality, and really turn the team around. Because I think we have playmakers, we have the highest salary cap, and we can bring more players in. I am excited for the Titans right now."
