Herschel has ‘no doubt’ he could play in NFL (but won’t)
Doesn't everybody have abs like Herschel Walker at the age of 48?
So of all the possible ways the Falcons can improve themselves this offseason, would signing a 48-year-old running back fit into the equation?
Yes, Herschel Walker says he could still play football. Yes, he says if he ever attempted a comeback in the NFL, it would be in Atlanta. But before you add one plus one and get 37 — like some in cyberspace are doing — the answer is no: He is not pursuing a return to football.
I bring this up because a headline on an AOL/Fanhouse story Monday read: “Herschel Walker, 48, Ponders NFL Comeback.” It might as well have read, “Elvis spotted at Smyrna Waffle House.” When I informed Walker of the headline, he laughed.
However, the former Georgia and NFL star, turned MMA fighter, didn’t laugh about his potential to still perform at a high level.
“I was asked [on a conference call earlier Monday] if I thought I could still play football, and my answer is yes,” Walker said by phone. “There’s no doubt in my mind. I couldn’t play every snap, but most running backs today don’t play every snap. I joked that when I turned 50, maybe I’ll comeback and be the George Foreman of the NFL. If I played for anybody, it would be for Atlanta, since that’s my home team.”
But is this something Walker actually is entertaining?
“No, it was just a question a reporter asked,” he said. “I haven’t had any thought about it. I’ve been into MMA now for a little over a year and I’m enjoying it. I’m watching [football] games but I haven’t had any thought about playing again.”
I’ll say this for Walker: While Evander Holyfield (also 48) is hurting his legacy by continuing to box, Walker hasn’t embarrassed himself in any of his ventures. He’s 1-0 in MMA and fights again Saturday night. As you can see by the picture, he’s also in pretty good shape. He says he weighs 219 to 220 pounds
“I’m in better shape now than when I played,” he said.
Walker lives in Dallas but he still maintains a home in the Atlanta area, his parents live in south Georgia and he owns a food services company in Savannah. While I had him on the phone, I figured I might as well ask him about a few other subjects:
♦On the recent struggles at Georgia: “One of the things that’s happened is we’ve been losing so many kids coming out of high school to out of state college. They’re not going to the University of Georgia, and I’ve been sort of hurt by it. I’ve talked to coach [Mark] Richt and I’ve spoken to Greg McGarity and I’ve told them I’d like to get involved and help them in any way I can. But I’m not sure what the NCAA would allow me to do.”
♦ On the NCAA: “Sometimes I just don’t understand what they’re doing. They let the kids at Ohio State play [in the Sugar Bowl] and suspend them next year [for selling merchandise] but they suspend A.J. Green for four games right away. They let Cam Newton play and he wins the Heisman and Auburn wins the national championship but they say they’re still investigating. That should be behind them by now. It’s not fair for me to judge what Cam Newton knew or didn’t know, but to me the NCAA should’ve dealt with it and moved on. They shouldn’t be able to go back now and do something. It seems like sometimes the NCAA says, ‘We’re just too busy now.’ They need swift justice.”
♦ On his next career: “I wouldn’t mind getting into a front office in the NFL. Maybe something in personnel, because I know talent and I know the business side of it. Maybe even be a commentator. It’s something I’ve turned down for a long time.”
♦ On the Falcons: “I thought they were going to the Super Bowl. That’s what I was telling everybody. I was shocked when they lost to Green Bay the way they did.”
By the looks of this picture from his last bout, I would put Walker on defense.
Embedding code to Herschel Walker's first MMA bout has been pulled off of YouTube for copyright but this picture tells a thousand words (and punches).
By Jeff Schultz
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155 comments Add your comment
441North
January 25th, 2011
7:42 am
P. Bull Terrier, very well said.
Trojan
January 25th, 2011
7:55 am
Never doubt the man from Wrightsville GA.
wardenerd
January 25th, 2011
7:56 am
typical UGA mentality. Herschel Alzado tried it and he was juiced. You are too old to take the hits and trust me you wouls see how much you have lost. Stay home and count your money before you are completly addled.
wardenerd
January 25th, 2011
7:59 am
Herschel should go back to UGA and use his last year of eligibility. He is still a freshman although he did “go” for three years. He could pick up that freshman English class he missed and he could channel Jan Kemp for a tutor.
Macclenny_dawg
January 25th, 2011
8:04 am
Since Hershal said is he willing to help I think he should be our strength and conditioning coach!!!
YANKEEGATOR
January 25th, 2011
8:06 am
HW playing today please when u think of HoF running backs it’s not HW. In college he ran cats over when he got to the real football he ran softer than tissue.
righteous
January 25th, 2011
8:22 am
Herschel could play and be effective 4 the falcons. Hell, my grandma could make the first string. The falcons are wussies. losers. football disasters.
Superbowl predict: The pack is back. Greenbay 37 losers 34
A defensive/offensive spectacular, this superbowl will go down as one of the greats. The right teams are in it and make sure the wife delivers plenty of sandwiches and brewskis. After the game, you and your homies can go celebrate at the irish pub whiles the wife cleans up and gits the brats ready for bed. Then, when youze guys stumble home all liquored up, you can just tumble into bed, lights out, and play spin the empty beer bottle wid the ball and chain.
Aw, it’s gonna be great.
and teach your wife how to high five down low, please?
Gary
January 25th, 2011
8:30 am
His own arrogance is gonna get him hurt one day, he’s 50 and you cant reverse mother nature. Maybe slow it down a bit but it’s not reversable.
Lowcountry Bulldawgs
January 25th, 2011
8:45 am
I would bet Walker at 48 has a better 40 time than the “Burner”.
dawgster
January 25th, 2011
8:49 am
I would love to see Herschel on staff at UGA, but i don’t think it would be S&C…As far as i know, he doesn’t do that much with weights or at least he didn’t…Always had a unique workout routine which consisted of approx 2000 situps and pushups a day…I remember him asking in the 9th or 10th grade to a coach what he could do to get stronger and was told, pushups…Obvisously he has done other things to maintain his body in the condition it is in…I know at one time he slept about 3-4 hrs a day and ate pretty much hamburgers or junk type food, but i believe that was during his college days…He is a unique individual, and would be a huge asset to our team in some manner…I think the problem right now is that he stays so busy with his training and taking care of his business interests that he may not have the time, but it sounds like he is open to helping in some manner…go dawgs
Phildo
January 25th, 2011
9:02 am
Give me a break! Yet another formerly great athlete still desperately seeking the limelight, even if he just has to talk about what will not and cannot happen, and which Herschel would it be? These guys just can’t gracefully slip away from the limelight. I’ll say one thing though, the guy is still in good shape and good for him for that, rather than ballooning up like a pregnant moose as so many of them do.
Hal
January 25th, 2011
9:04 am
Every time I see Hershel I just don’t think kids today realize what a great player he was. I remember a Pepper Rodgers quote when he was the Head Coach for the Memphis Showboats and Hershel was playing for the New Jersey Generals who had just beaten them. At the post game interview Rodgers said ” We knew Hershel was tough. We took the defense down to the train yard and practiced on locomotives… we couldn’t stop them either.”
papadawg
January 25th, 2011
9:09 am
Man did I need a good laugh this morning.Sorry HW but your NFL days are way behind you.
Pitiful Dogs
January 25th, 2011
9:13 am
This entire article is a joke, right? The tip-off is when Herschel said he might be a “commentator”….that is one funny line. Have you ever heard this guy talk? What he says barely qualifies as English. Or maybe one of those personalities can actually talk.
anotherdawg
January 25th, 2011
9:18 am
Conditioning would not be a problem, especially if he was not used on every down. But, no way would he have the speed of 25 – 30 years ago. The body does not heal as fast either. But, there’s no doubt that if anyone alive could do it, it would be Herschel. Also, for those who think Herschel did not have a successful pro career, please google his stats. Running backs only have so many great years; many of his were in the USFL, but he was still great in the NFL. Walker rushed for 5,562 yards in his USFL career.[9] His combined rushing numbers for the USFL and the NFL (13,787 yards) would place him 5th All-Time on the NFL’s career rushing list.[10]
In 12 NFL seasons, Walker gained 8,225 rushing yards, 4,859 receiving yards, and 5,084 kickoff-return yards.[11] This gave him 18,168 total combined net yards, ranking him second among the NFL’s all-time leaders in total yardage at the time of his retirement; as of the start of the 2007 NFL season, ten years after his retirement, he still ranks eighth.[12] He also scored 84 touchdowns: 61 rushing, 21 receiving and two kick off returns for touchdowns.[11] Walker is the only other player besides Derrick Mason to have 10,000+ yards from scrimmage and 5,000+ return yards (all of which were on kickoff returns). He is the only player to gain 4,000 yards three different ways: rushing, receiving, and kickoff returns. He is one of six players (Jim Brown, Lenny Moore, Marcus Allen, Marshall Faulk, and Thurman Thomas) to exceed 60 touchdowns rushing and 20 touchdowns receiving. Another NFL record he possesses is that he is the only player with a 90+ yard reception, 90+ yard run, and a 90+ yard kickoff return all in the same season (1994). He is also the only player to record an 84+ yard touchdown run and an 84+ yard touchdown reception, in the same game (December 14, 1986). That same day, he had 100 yards rushing and 100 yards receiving. Walker is currently ranked eighth all time in all-purpose yards with 18,168, despite spending his first three seasons in the USFL. He was the most dominant college football player I have ever seen play, and if he had come back for his senior season, there’s no telling how many records he would hold. Never had any problems with his behavior either. He was the ultimate team player, and still is, for that matter.
RxDawg
January 25th, 2011
9:23 am
Bo does Hippo …. hehe
UGA crybabies
January 25th, 2011
9:26 am
It’s very sad that UGA fans and ex-football players can’t let 1980 go. Mr. Walker was terrible in the NFL and if he went back today he’d get his legs/back/arms broken after two plays.
UGA crybabies
January 25th, 2011
9:28 am
“ALBURN SUX——LOOSERS, CHEATERS, BONAFID FOOLS!!”
That line pretty much proves why UGA leads the nation in students who have to take remedial English.
UGA crybabies
January 25th, 2011
9:29 am
“Maybe you sad, pathetic, envious dawgie fans should take a lesson from the best and classiest player in your school’s history with regard to Auburn.”
Nah, that would require humility on UGA fans part.
UGA crybabies
January 25th, 2011
9:32 am
RxDawg
I’ve noticed your snide little remarks about Auburn and Auburn players many times. What’s really interesting is the fact that you judge Auburn players without saying a word about your own schools problem with players going to jail.
If you are a pharmacist, like your handle states, I really do hope I never have to pick up a prescription from Kroger, Walgreens or wherever it is you work. The last thing I want is to get a prescription filled from a UGA grad. Seriously.
Reeves
January 25th, 2011
9:33 am
Crybabie, maybe you should look in the mirror when it comes to sad and pathetic. How old are you anyway? Ten?
joe
January 25th, 2011
9:35 am
As a long snapper, or holder on PAT’s maybe…48-y.o. legs don’t stand a chance against 22 year old DE’s and LB’s…chalk it up to another exaggerated UGA claim…akin to national championship predictions.
Volvo Dad
January 25th, 2011
9:37 am
If I were mr Blanks, I would sign him
Dr. Phil
January 25th, 2011
9:41 am
Herschel’s best season anywhere was his freshman year at UGA. He seemed to hold back a little after that.
Headley Lamar
January 25th, 2011
9:43 am
Maybe you sad, pathetic, envious dawgie fans should take a lesson from the best and classiest player in your school’s history with regard to Auburn.
Maybe you shouldnt have cheated and bought a title.
Enjoy renting it for a few years.
Headley Lamar
January 25th, 2011
9:44 am
The last thing I want is to get a prescription filled from a UGA grad. Seriously.
The last thing I would ever do is step foot in Auburn.
I mean seriously have any of you been to that sh*thole?
Its trailer parks and cow pastures as far as the eye can see.
Headley Lamar
January 25th, 2011
9:47 am
Whats really funny is most Auburn fans are actually gullible enough to believe Cam didn’t know anything about the pay for play stuff.
Talk about naive.
Some of them actually thought he was coming back for his Senior year too. Because he was “family” and they are “all in” or some other crap.
Again naive.
UGA crybabies
January 25th, 2011
9:49 am
“Crybabie, maybe you should look in the mirror when it comes to sad and pathetic. How old are you anyway? Ten?”
Gotta love stupid UGA fans.
UGA crybabies
January 25th, 2011
9:50 am
“Maybe you shouldnt have cheated and bought a title.”
LOL!!!!! Gotta love stupid dawg fans.
“Enjoy renting it for a few years.”
Oh, you mean how UGA rents their logo from the Packers?
UGA crybabies
January 25th, 2011
9:51 am
“The last thing I would ever do is step foot in Auburn.”
And we care why?
“I mean seriously have any of you been to that sh*thole?”
How’s jail working out for you players?
“Its trailer parks and cow pastures as far as the eye can see.”
The state of GA has more trailer parks than any state in the union.
UGA crybabies
January 25th, 2011
9:53 am
“Whats really funny is most Auburn fans are actually gullible enough to believe Cam didn’t know anything about the pay for play stuff.”
Have fun going 6-7 again next season.
“Talk about naive.”
Naive is shouting “WE’Z GONE WIND US DA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP DIS YEAR WOOF WOOF WOOF!” See: UGA 2008 preseason.
“Some of them actually thought he was coming back for his Senior year too. Because he was “family” and they are “all in” or some other crap.”
Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaawn. 14-0, loser. 14-0.
Mike Lynn
January 25th, 2011
9:54 am
I will trade my next 5 number one picks and the entire starting defensive line for him right now..
Dirty Dawg
January 25th, 2011
9:54 am
Hey tiger7 and ward-whathisface…first, Herschel said that ‘he wished’ that the NCAA had made their decision and ‘moved on’, but alas they didn’t and the fact is the ‘investigation’ (driven by the FBI’s investigation of your man Uncle Milty) isn’t yet complete, but as soon as it is and unless Milton cuts a deal with the FBI to keep all the crap they’ll have accumulated about AU’s ‘pay-for-play’ under wraps, the NCAA will make their decision and you guys will have to rely on ‘memories’ of this past season and all the accolades you got – since you’ll be givin’ ‘em back…and as for Herschel coming back to UGA to finish his eligibility, he’ll have to take a graduate course since he received his degree years ago. I mean if the NCAA can have double, triple and more, standards about all their other rules, seems to me that they can establish a ’statute of limitations’ about a guy that turns pro but wants to come back and use any ‘un-used’ college time remaining…come on Herschel, we can use you man.
UGA crybabies
January 25th, 2011
9:54 am
“If I were mr Blanks, I would sign him”
Yeah, I’m sure Mr. BLANK, not Blanks, would really want to sign a running back that sucked in the NFL in his prime. Yep, I’m sure Walker would really run circles around Turner..LOL
Circular Argument
January 25th, 2011
9:55 am
Who’s Herschel Walker?
UGA crybabies
January 25th, 2011
9:55 am
Dirty Dawg
You shouldn’t pay attention to tigerdroppings. It really does make you look even more dumber than you really are. Just sayin…
UGA crybabies
January 25th, 2011
9:56 am
“Who’s Herschel Walker?”
He’s the guy 90% of dawg fans talk about because they haven’t had anything good to talk about since 1980.
UGA crybabies
January 25th, 2011
9:57 am
“come on Herschel, we can use you man.”
You know a school has hit rock bottom when they wish for the return of a running back who had a great season in college over 30 years ago.
Bad Dawgs
January 25th, 2011
9:58 am
The biggest change that CMR needs to make is to stop recruiting the low-class illiterates and thugs who he seems to think will win for him and keep his oversized paychecks coming in. People like Marcus Dowtin, A.J. Green, Washaun Ealey, Caleb King, and others too numerous to mention are not team players, they’re thug wannabes who are much closer to a gang than a team.
It’s sickening to see felons and goons like these representing the state’s flagship university.
Headley Lamar
January 25th, 2011
10:01 am
The state of GA has more trailer parks than any state in the union.
Not because Auburn didnt try. Also Georgia is about twice as big as Alabama.
Georgia is the biggest state east of the Mississippi river.
Thats why they do. But if your an Auburn fan that would probably go over your head.
UGA crybabies
January 25th, 2011
10:04 am
“Also Georgia is about twice as big as Alabama. ”
Which means there are more trailer trash uga fans.
“Georgia is the biggest state east of the Mississippi river.”
Are you talking size or population? If you are talking population you’re wrong. Florida, NY, Penn, Ohio etc all have a bigger population than GA.
“But if your an Auburn fan that would probably go over your head.”
Before you make a crack at someone being “dumb” you might want to check your grammar, moron.
It’s YOU’RE not YOUR. Make sense, Forrest?
Headley Lamar
January 25th, 2011
10:05 am
would really want to sign a running back that sucked in the NFL in his prime
Herschel dominated in pro football. Unfortunately his best years were in the USFL were he routinely rushed for over 2,000 yards.
Even given that he still finished 8th all time in the NFL in all purpose yards.
1. Jerry Rice+ 23,546 1985-2004 3TM
2. Brian Mitchell 23,316 1990-2003 3TM
3. Walter Payton+ 21,803 1975-1987 chi
4. Emmitt Smith+ 21,579 1990-2004 2TM
5. Tim Brown 19,679 1988-2004 2TM
6. Marshall Faulk 19,172 1994-2005 2TM
7. Barry Sanders+ 18,308 1989-1998 det
8. Herschel Walker 18,168 1986-1997 4TM
9. LaDainian Tomlinson (31) 17,727 2001-2010 2TM
Yeah he sucked big time. LOL. Man do Auburn fans know football or what LOL.
Headley Lamar
January 25th, 2011
10:10 am
It’s YOU’RE not YOUR. Make sense, Forrest?
Sure does. Thanks for the grammar lesson on a sports blog. Ill be more careful next time. LOL.
And yes obviously I was talking about size not population. Although Auburn fans have never really been masters of the obvious.
UGA Rules
January 25th, 2011
10:10 am
Did you ask about his trans-am or his mom’s house and whether or not they compare to Cam Newton’s attempt at cash??? Still looks terrific but cheating is cheating.
Headley Lamar
January 25th, 2011
10:13 am
He’s the guy 90% of dawg fans talk about because they haven’t had anything good to talk about since 1980.
Weve been able to talk about whipping Auburn 5 of the last 6 years.
Enjoy your one little blip. Now back to being irrelevant and mediocre.
Ten@10: Ray Drew still being coy about Friday’s decision | AJC College Sports Recruiting
January 25th, 2011
10:26 am
[...] Herschel Walker told our Jeff Schultz he wants to see more Georgia kids going to UGA, and he’d like to help make it [...]
WDE
January 25th, 2011
10:38 am
Gotta love that guy
Interesting comments about Cam Newton
UGA crybabies
January 25th, 2011
10:38 am
“Herschel dominated in pro football. Unfortunately his best years were in the USFL were he routinely rushed for over 2,000 yards. ”
The key to that statement is USFL. Like I said, he sucked in the NFL. He was a bust.
“Even given that he still finished 8th all time in the NFL in all purpose yards.”
Ever wonder why no one brings up Walker in discussions about best NFL running backs?
“Man do Auburn fans know football or what ”
14-0, Forrest. 14-0.
gcs
January 25th, 2011
10:40 am
Back when Herschel was at UGA, I was as big a fan as anyone. However, his NFL career was pretty disappointing. I am glad he has put full effort into getting himself in shape but he stunk in the NFL the first time around.
.
WDE
January 25th, 2011
10:41 am
Oh, great, another Auburn vs UGA fight… I guess I’ll hop in.
When did Auburn become irrelevant? You guys strung a few together on us, but look who just ran the table you idiots. Most of those losses to Georgia were pretty close, with a couple exceptions. We lead the series, and guess what- you’re not going to be enjoying the next 4 years. I’m not even talking just against us. I mean, overall. I said it sucks- to be- a Georgia Bulldawg! I said it sucks – to be- a Georgia Bulldawg!
3 undefeated seasons in the last 20 years is not irrelevance.