University of North Texas Athletics

Once called "a 5-foot-10, 240-pound stick of dynamite" by Texas Football magazine, Walter Chapman was a quick, powerful nose tackle who was a four-year starter for the Mean Green before, ultimately, earning All-America honors.

Chapman was named the Missouri Valley Conference's freshman defensive player of the year in 1973 and first team All-MVC as a sophomore in 1974. Following North Texas’s departure from the MVC, Chapman was named to the National Independents All-Star first team in 1975. During that season, Chapman wreaked havoc against Houston, registering 14 tackles, nine for loss, and six assists in a 28-0 victory at Texas Stadium. For his performance, he was named Lineman of the Week by the Associated Press and Defensive Player of the Week by Sports Illustrated.

After a season-ending knee injury in 1976, Chapman came back for a stellar senior season in 1977, helping the Mean Green to a 10-1 season that ended with the team ranked No. 16 in the nation by United Press International (UPI).

Chapman closed out his playing career by earning third-team All-America honors from Football News and honorable mention All-America from the AP. Prior to Chapman's senior season, Mean Green head coach Hayden Fry called the Grand Prairie native, "the finest defensive lineman I've ever seen."

After graduation, Chapman played with the Shreveport Steamers, then coached at Carter-Riverside High School and A. Maceo Smith High School. Walter Chapman passed away in 1996.

In 2013, Chapman was named to the North Texas All-Century football team.