Herschel Walker weighs in on UGA’s off-field problems
Herschel Walker expressed concern about the number of Georgia football players arrested this year, saying coach Mark Richt has “got to take control” of the issue and the players “have to take responsibility.”
The former Georgia football great, who led the Bulldogs to the national championship as a freshman 30 years ago, was asked about the issue during an appearance Wednesday on ESPN’s “College Football Live” program.
“That’d concern me a great deal,” Walker said. “The losses, that is going to concern me as well, but when you got kids that got off-field problems, we need to get into and see what’s going on. Because when you got off-the-field problems, there’s something going on with that program.
“And I think Coach Richt has got to get a hand on it. I love Coach Richt. He’s a great coach, and there’s no doubt: I do not think Coach Richt should be fired. We got to find out what is going on within that program when you got 11 guys since March that have been off-the-field problems.”
Of the 11 players arrested this year, four were kicked off the team by Richt, one left the program after getting a six-game suspension, one got a two-game suspension and three received one-game suspensions.
“He’s got to fix it,” Walker said of Richt. “He’s the leader there on that team, so he’s got to take control.
“Athletes got to have responsibility,” Walker added. “That’s one of the problems I think athletes have today. They don’t want to take responsibilities, but they have to take responsibility. You’re in college; you’re not out in high school anymore; you’re in college. . . . If you got a problem, you got to be penalized. Now, Coach Richt does that, but I think you got to be a little bit more harsher.”
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410 comments Add your comment
TheItalianDawg
October 21st, 2010
10:04 am
can anybody tell me why Tech fans are more obsessed with Georgia than many Georgia fans are?
TRUDAWG
October 21st, 2010
10:04 am
Pot….meet kettle. Hershel needs to shut the F up.
Herschel_Man
October 21st, 2010
10:07 am
The Herschel is a good runner and he can tell them how to do it.
tony
October 21st, 2010
10:09 am
How stupid can some of you self righteous people get? Making fun of another humanbeing’s speech pattern is sinful and ungodly. Every humanbeing on this panet has some form of limitation rather small, big, mental or physical. No why? Because your first parents(Adam&Eve) rejected perfection and excepted a sinful course……..that’s why.
Becareful how you use your tongue because you could wakeup one day with a slur speech. (Galatians 6:7 and
BG
October 21st, 2010
10:12 am
Mark Richt is the most strict coach in the SEC.
seriously
October 21st, 2010
10:12 am
its taken RICHT 10 season to get strict and tuff
Athens, Georgia
October 21st, 2010
10:13 am
`
GO YELLOW JACKETS !
SECWasteManagement
October 21st, 2010
10:16 am
Everyone is missing the big picture. Herschel Walker is probably the greatest college back of all time, but why should Richt be listening to him when he is saying “get it together.” Walker has numerous split personalities (if you read his biography you would know about it) and he should “get it together” before he starts telling other people what to do. Also, Herschel walker can’t hold a candle to Quincy Carter in poor speech and grammar. Quincy came and read to my middle school one time, and you guessed it, he can’t read worth ####!
WITHOUT LINDSEY SCOTT,THERE'S NO 1980 TITLE
October 21st, 2010
10:17 am
THANK YOU CAM NEWTON AND OTHER ATLANTA,GA ATHLETES FOR NOT GOING TO UGA HOME OF REDNECKS AND RACISTS!
Big Dawg
October 21st, 2010
10:17 am
How soon can Herschel speak with the team? The greatest college RB of all time has spoken, I hope CMR and his team is listening.
jdawgs34
October 21st, 2010
10:17 am
I appreciate his comments, but I am sure that it is being worked out. We do not need any more press, and when someone like this speaks, again, another headline in the AJC….
TRUDAWG
October 21st, 2010
10:20 am
Jan Kemp will make Herschel TAP OUT!!!!!!!!
NYCdawg
October 21st, 2010
10:20 am
The real problem here is the staffs lack of PR. Part of this staff’s job is to position the team to win. Look back to LSU in 2007. We sat back passively waiting on the voters and pollsters to rank us ahead of LSU. NOT SUCCESSFUL. That should have been us in the NC game w/ 2 losses. We should have been all over every media outlet with every thing we had.
Now with these arrests we sit back and passively say we know these guys know the rules. We’re really strict now… bla bla bla. How about learning and keeping up with the times. Position yourself as you are rehabilitating these horrible arrests and changing these young men’s lives. TURN the negatives into positives. Look at Florida with Demps. This is my concern with the program. This is the missing dimension. Kicking guys off the team clearly doesn’t solve the problem.
@Bremen Dawg –
Exactly what I have been thinking. Its not like CMR is recruiting mystery athletes here. All the schools have some issues with this as its the nature of the beast.
Also lets clarify arrests and problems. The media blows these things up heavily. If you look at what these arrests and off the field problems are then you probably are not that alarmed at the program.
I think you have to compare apple to apples. 1980 was vastly different and let me say that I bet there were some guys who received some xtra benefits back then. I don’t think the NCAA was looking into bank accounts etc…(aj).
Lets all be honest and say that nobody really cares about these arrests. Its inversely proportionate to wins. If you’re winning then these things don’t really matter. Oh wait your losing here comes the off the field problems. same old story. If I could help I would. If you are a high profile alum save your negative comment or offer to help (See Boss Bailey). Hershel I love you man but you’re words won’t help. Only actions.
Just sayin’
McDawg
October 21st, 2010
10:21 am
Herschel was not a big weight training guy-mainly pushups and situps–big into cross-training-it was interesting to hear Pollack talk about the weight gain for weight sake theory-he thought it hurt quickness and stamina-this was after a segment on what FSU was doing regarding nutrition and body fat
there has been alot of talk the past 2 yrs that georgia players were not bulky or beefy enough to compete but seems but eating 7 peanut butter sandwiches before you go to bed does not seem to be the answer
jimawoo
October 21st, 2010
10:21 am
let’s see if i have this correct. a player is given a full scholarship worth thousands of dollars and the opportunity to play ball. should he be good enough, he could play pro and make lots of $’s. if not good enough, he could still get his degree and become a productive member of society…win/win.
so how about a simple rule…any trouble and you lose your scholarship and are out of the sport?
simple solution.
Ben Roth
October 21st, 2010
10:28 am
It’s UGA, what do you expect? It’s easier to get in than a vocational school… Bones, Thugs and No wins.
USC TROJANS 4 LIFE
October 21st, 2010
10:31 am
All coach Richt has to do is be a coach who cares about what goes on in his program under his watch. It seems he got set in a comfort zone after a few good seasons and thought as long as you win it is not a problem. Well they aren’t winning and the light is being shined on the problems that should have been dealt with long ago. Every program has problems it is just how you choose to deal with those problems that will make or break a program. Coach Richt is finding that out firsthand,so stop trying avoid the issues and deal with them right away. Kids are going to screw up that is part of life but if you don’t set the example right away you will be tested always. Being tested with a losing record never turns out good.
EricADawgFan
October 21st, 2010
10:35 am
I said that weeks ago. I agree 100% with Walker. But the responsibility not only rest with Richt, the players are no longer little boys. They have to take responsibility for themselves on and off the field. I also said that Rich needed to take over the play calling from BoBo because he was doing a poor job in the previous weeks. Richt has to become a stronger Coach when it comes to managing his personnel.( Coaching Staff & Players) If he doesn’t, he will eventually be replaced. He should know by now what the UGA Alumni, Financial Supporters, and Fan expect of him.
jacket22
October 21st, 2010
10:37 am
After reading some more of idiot bullpup comments a person can come to the following conclusion. 1st off it’s obvious “what’s important” is in love with Her-shall why else would he view the nude photos and speak so lovingly of Hes-shall’s nude body. I am a Tech fan and supporter and I could care less which current or former Tech player posed nude as I would never view the photos much less call their body toned and beautiful. GOOD LORD MAN SHOW SOME BACKBONE AND BE A MAN!!!
Secondly I find it very amusing that a “FAN” like Barry actually stated it’s not the number of arrests that count it’s the crime being arrested for. My God Barry! So by using that way of thinking if one player rapes a woman and the other just beats a woman, the woman beater shouldn’t be punished as harshly as the rapist or would you say vice-versa? If you are going to clean a program up it should not matter what the crime is, what should matter is the fact the thug is immature and being arrested in the first place and should be kicked off the team. If Barry was your coach he would be telling his players-Look guys I don’t care if you drive around campus or town drunk, I don’t care if you are smoking crack or dealing drugs, I don’t care if you steal a scooter helmets from other students who by the way don’t have a free ride at college. Little crimes are ok for the school just don’t get arrested for a major crime because I may be forced to suspend you for two games!! Barry you’re an idiot..Little white lies lead to bigger lies and either one makes you a Liar–little crimes lead to bigger crimes and either one makes you a CRIMINAL..THUG..WHATEVER YOU WANT TO CALL IT. GROW UP AND GET YOUR HEAD OUT OF YOU A$$. THWG!!!!!
Big Papa Dawg
October 21st, 2010
10:42 am
Herschel has earned the right to say whatever he wants however he wants. He should be the one to speak to the team before the Florida game. I believe that the talks that Boss Bailey and Thomas Davis had with the team the last two weeks about what it means to be a Bulldog had a lot to do with the team’s performance. Befor the Tennessee game I was in favor of taking the G off the helmet and making each player earn it. Still dont know that its not a bad idea. No Freshman wear the G. No one arrested wear the G. The attitude has to change.
The Exterminator
October 21st, 2010
10:45 am
Yeah, Hershel, like the way you took responsibility by signing with an agent after the 1/1/83 Sugar Bowl and killing your eligibility thus forcing you to go to the USFL. If you had played your senior year we would have beaten Auburn and played in the Sugar Bowl for the National Championship. Good luck in the Octagon and hope you fight Lesner.
kareem abdul jabbar
October 21st, 2010
10:45 am
ever seen a grown man naked. that is the best post on this blog.
59bulldawg
October 21st, 2010
10:46 am
Smitty the buck stops . . . or at least it should . . . at Richt’s desk. He recruits them and he and his staff coach them. It’s not about babysitting them 24/7 . . . it’s about communicating expectations that things will be done right or they will not be on scholarship . . . and then holding them accountable. The off-field problems didn’t just begin this year. It began several years ago and has gotten worse each off-season. And I think a correlation can be drawn between this lack of discipline and our mediocre seasons the last few years. A coach can survive a few such seasons if he has control of the team. But lack of control and mediocrity on the field can be a deadly combination for the job security of any coach. Even if Richt doesn’t win out, I’d be surprised if he isn’t the coach again in 2011. We still owe him too much money! But after next season I don’t think there are any guarantees if things on and off the field aren’t substantially better.
Big UGA Fan
October 21st, 2010
10:47 am
This is very easy to say from the outside looking in Herschel! Kids are going to act up. With the demand these coaches have and the focus on winning being so high it has got to be hard! It starts with recruiting but how can you turn down a kid who grew up in the ghetto and had no discipline (lack of parenting) yet can carry the rock like nobody else around? These coaches think they can change these kids but it just isn’t happening. Let’s face it, BCS football is the minor leagues for the NFL and it has become it’s own entity whereas something has got to change. It’s not a matter of who is doing “IT” it is a matter of who is getting caught. I think many schools out there are in smaller towns and the police forces have been hiding the players behind the jurisdiction and these days the cops aren’t putting up with it. These players think they are above the law in many cases (Come on Caleb….all u had to do was show up for court and the man would have given you a chance) but they are finding out quickly they can be replaced without a question. For many of them this is their life, the only chance they have, so ZERO TOLERANCE is the only way. You have got to cut the scholarships when they get arrested and found guilty! Until we see some real harsh changes (yes it will suck the first couple of years because many will not adhere and get kicked off) this will continue to fester all over college football. I don’t think the coaches should be in complete control but the NCAA must take some of that away and make penalties more harsh!!! (otherwise we are questioning the coaches decisions constantly).
The Principal
October 21st, 2010
10:49 am
1) Some one pay off the bars to not allow players entrance. 2) Require valid drivers licenses to enter practice. 3) Booster make a large contribution to the ACC Police Gala (thats what all bar owners have done for years to avoid crack downs). Let’s face it, ACC Police is the main reason for our discipline problems. Do you really think Tuscaloosa or Gainesville Police crack down on every violation and just so happens that UF and Bama’s players are saints….
MARINEDAWG
October 21st, 2010
10:49 am
The man has spoken,the man who brought Georgia football to the highest level. I fear that coach has lost the ability to lead. His strength of character will not allow him to lower himself to the character of teams they recruit.
Winston Wolfe
October 21st, 2010
10:53 am
jacket22……….man………..you need a woman……..or a hobby. I bet you wish UGA would just shut down the whole program? Just call it quits. Would that make you happy? But then……..what would you have to b!tch about? What would define you if we took away your obsession? UGA exists only to make you miserable.
HA "UGA" HA
October 21st, 2010
10:56 am
Well, like a majority of the football players at UGA, he probably didn’t graduate and was required to have a pulse to pass the entrance exams.
UGAUGA
October 21st, 2010
10:57 am
This coming from a guy who posed nude and decided to get his head beat in voluntarily?
Jeff
October 21st, 2010
11:00 am
Thanks Herschel….way to call out this team on ESPN….funny they dont talk about dead in the water floriduh….or UT who have had the same issues…..you’re right- players need to take responsibility…..plain and simple but to get on national TV and talk like you did about “what a mess this program is” in so many words is unbeleiveable. Seems you have had issues with UGA since the Adams-Dooley thing. You need to either get over it or stop making your silly comments that do more harm than good.
harold
October 21st, 2010
11:04 am
HERSCHEL IS RIGHT. GEORGIA IS KNOWN AS “THUG U”!
SECWasteManagement
October 21st, 2010
11:04 am
So no one cares that Herschel has multiple personality disorder? He should just keeps his comments to himself next time until he “gets it under control.”
munson
October 21st, 2010
11:08 am
Richt to Herschel: you’re still alive?
Liven Up
October 21st, 2010
11:08 am
Herschel, he be right!!!
Buddy
October 21st, 2010
11:09 am
“I think you got to be a little bit more harsher.” Really, Herschel?…I grew up as a die-hard Georgia fan and still have pictures of Herschel in my home…However, he’s the sole reason why I didn’t go to UGA…His grammar is embarrassing and the direct result of a lack of concern in the UGA athletic and academic departments.
Ace
October 21st, 2010
11:09 am
Which Walker is it, or is it all of them ? 2 or 3 more years before UGA hits rock bottom.
AuburnTIger52
October 21st, 2010
11:11 am
Coach Richt is a good man but he sure does have his hands full with those animals at Georgia. How about you decide to get some players that aren’t thugs because obviously that isn’t working for you. Just mimik what Gene Chizik does down here and maybe that will pan out.
Papadawg
October 21st, 2010
11:12 am
What gets me about this whole situation is the same people who expect Coach Richt to keep up with 85 or so players 24 7 probably can’t even keep up with their own 2 or more kids. Time for the players to hold one another responsible, it’snot all Coach richts fault
Big UGA Fan
October 21st, 2010
11:19 am
AuburnTIger52—– Yeah you are right, recruit players that have already been busted and we will all end up with a Cam Newton. You are having a good season don’t ruin it with ignorance.
Buddy
October 21st, 2010
11:19 am
By the way, the issue of Mark Richt is laughable…UGA teams have underachieved ever since he took the job…They have had solid talent during his tenure but they’ve NEVER been able to play to a championship level during his tenure…Think about it, he even lost a National Championship game against Oklahoma when Florida State has the best talent in the country…Richt is a good organizer and manager but he isn’t the type that can do more w/ less…He’ll always be the type to take great talent and play at a pretty good level; his teams always play a little less than the talent should bear.
tampaBIGdawg
October 21st, 2010
11:19 am
Herchel Walker was definitely a great and could see him as a RB coach, but not a Str and Con coach. He is a beast but that doesn’t mean he knows how to make others beast also. He got his strength from doing pushups and crunches during commercial breaks as a young kid. He barely spent any time in the weight room at UGA. He is a calastinic freak, but it would be hard for him to pass that along. Kudos fro saying what needs to be heard by the whole UGA coaching staff. It all can’t be put on CMR, the other coaches need to step up also.
Dwayne
October 21st, 2010
11:19 am
No….DUI’s were not taken serious in the 70’s or 80’s. Cops would ask you how close you are to home, can someone come get you, or leave your car here, I’ll run you home….been there, done that
Cam Newton
October 21st, 2010
11:19 am
But it worked for me Herschel….
BirdDawg
October 21st, 2010
11:21 am
Barry–
Why should Herschel show loyalty to Richt? What has Mark Richt ever done for Herschel Walker?
Geez.
dawgdawgdawg
October 21st, 2010
11:22 am
Jackass22:
Why do you keep referring to Herschel as “Her shall”? Honestly, would you say it to his face if you saw him? Highly doubt it.
Tech NEVER has and NEVER will have an athlete the caliber of Walker…..and don’t even mention your Heisman-flop of a QB
Phil
October 21st, 2010
11:23 am
Doesn’t Hershel have a year of eligibility remaining? Bring him back, we could use him! At 48, he’s still probably better than Ealey and King!
59bulldawg
October 21st, 2010
11:24 am
Well Papadawg you may be right but then again we’re not paid big bucks to lead the program. Fair or not leaders are usually expected to lead and you can’t be much of a leader if you can’t maintain control of the folks you’re leading.
Papadawg
October 21st, 2010
11:27 am
Coach is paid to Coach football not nurse maid a few spoiled brats he has been blessed with who can’t control themselves
Too Easy
October 21st, 2010
11:28 am
What year did Hershel graduate? What’s his degree in? How ’bout Buck?
You don’t really want to know the answers.
And they’re going to tell us how to run the program?
Blowing Rock NC Bulldog
October 21st, 2010
11:29 am
I agree Herschel should be the strength and conditioning coach. He would be such a great asset to this program. Give him the farm and get him to UGA right away.