Herschel Junior Walker born March 3, 1962 is a former professional football running back who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 12 seasons. He was also the Republican nominee for the U.S. Senate in Georgia during the 2022 election. Walker played college football at the University of Georgia, where he won the Heisman Trophy in his junior year. He began his professional career with the New Jersey Generals in the United States Football League (USFL), where he was named MVP in the league’s final season in 1985. After the USFL folded, he joined the NFL, playing for the Dallas Cowboys, where he received consecutive Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro honors from 1987 to 1988. In 1989, he was traded to the Minnesota Vikings in a deal widely regarded as one of the most lopsided trades in NFL history, which helped establish the Cowboys’ dynasty in the 1990s.
Herschel Walker Biography 2024
Walker also played for the Philadelphia Eagles and the New York Giants before finishing his career with the Cowboys. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1999. Beyond football, Walker was a member of the U.S. bobsleigh team at the 1992 Winter Olympics and has engaged in business ventures, including food processing. From 2019 to 2020, he served as co-chair of the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition under President Donald Trump. Walker launched his first political campaign in Georgia’s 2022 Senate election, which he ultimately lost to incumbent Democrat Raphael Warnock.
Herschel Walker Biography Details
| Born: | March 3, 1962 (age 62)
Augusta, Georgia, U.S. |
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| Height: | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) |
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| Weight: | 225 lb (102 kg) |
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Herschel Walker Early Life
Walker was born in Augusta, Georgia, to Willis and Christine Walker and was raised in Wrightsville, Georgia, as one of seven siblings. As a child, he struggled with being overweight and had a stutter. He attended Johnson County High School in Wrightsville, where he excelled in football, basketball, and track. During his senior year, he rushed for 3,167 yards, leading the Trojans to their first state championship. He was honored with the inaugural Dial Award as the 1979 National High School Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
In track and field, Walker participated in various events, including the 100-yard dash and shot put, winning multiple state championships. His 2008 autobiography mentioned that he served as the Beta Club president and was class valedictorian. However, in December 2021, Walker’s Senate campaign website inaccurately claimed he graduated as the valedictorian of his entire class; this claim was later removed, and the statement was amended to say he graduated “top of his class.” Starting in 2017, Walker made the false claim that he graduated from the University of Georgia “in the top 1% of his class.” In reality, he left college early to join the USFL and did not return to complete his degree. After inquiries from the media in December 2021, his campaign website deleted these claims, and Walker admitted he left the university before graduation to pursue professional football.
At the University of Georgia, Walker was a running back and a member of the track team, achieving three-time unanimous All-American status in both sports. He won the 1982 Heisman Trophy and the Maxwell Award. He remains notable for being the first NCAA player to finish in the top 10 in rushing yards after only three years of play, a record later matched by Jonathan Taylor. In his freshman season in 1980, he set the NCAA freshman rushing record, which was later broken by Taylor. Walker played a key role in helping Georgia achieve an undefeated season and win the national championship in the Sugar Bowl against Notre Dame. In 1999, he was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame.
Herschel Walker Bio
Birth Date | March 3, 1962 |
Birth Place | Augusta, Georgia, U.S. |
Height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) |
Weight | 225 lb (102 kg) |
Career Overview
Professional Teams | Years Active |
New Jersey Generals | 1983–1985 |
Dallas Cowboys | 1986–1989 |
Minnesota Vikings | 1989–1991 |
Philadelphia Eagles | 1992–1994 |
New York Giants | 1995 |
Dallas Cowboys | 1996–1997 |
College Career
College Attended | University of Georgia |
Years Active | 1980–1982 |
Notable Achievements | Heisman Trophy Winner |
NFL Achievements
Awards | Years |
2× Pro Bowl | 1987, 1988 |
2× Second-team All-Pro | 1987, 1988 |
National Champion | 1980 |
USFL Career
Team | Years Active |
New Jersey Generals | 1983–1985 |
League MVP | 1985 |
Mixed Martial Arts Career
MMA Record | Details |
Total Fights | 2 |
Wins | 2 (by knockout) |
Olympic Participation
Year | Event |
1992 | U.S. Bobsleigh Team |
Result | 7th Place in Two-Man Event |
Business Ventures
Business Name | Description |
Renaissance Man Food Services | Chicken processing company |
H. Walker Enterprises | Umbrella for various business ventures |
Herschel Walker Political Involvement
Political Role | Details |
Republican Senate Nominee | 2022 |
Co-Chair, President’s Council | 2019–2022 |
Herschel Walker Early Life
Birthplace | Augusta, Georgia |
Siblings | One of seven children |
High School Achievements
High School | Johnson County High School |
Notable Honors | Dial Award Winner |
College Statistics
Year | Rushing Yards | Receptions |
1980 | 1,616 | 1 |
1981 | 1,891 | 2 |
1982 | 1,752 | 1 |
NFL Career Statistics
Career Stats | Total |
Rushing Attempts | 1,954 |
Rushing Yards | 8,225 |
Rushing Touchdowns | 61 |
Herschel Walker Notable Trades
Trade Details | Teams Involved |
Trade to Vikings | Cowboys to Vikings |
Lopsided Trade | Considered one of the most lopsided in NFL history |
Herschel Walker Personal Life
Marital Status | Divorced |
Children | 1 |
Legacy and Impact
Key Takeaways | Details |
Influence on Football | Hall of Famer and cultural icon |
Ongoing Public Figure | Active in media and political arenas |
Herschel Walker Net Worth
Herschel Walker is a former professional football player and mixed martial artist who has a net worth of $10 million.
Herschel Walker Summary
Herschel Walker is a prominent former American football running back and mixed martial artist, known for his impressive career in both the NFL and USFL, as well as his political involvement. Born on March 3, 1962, in Augusta, Georgia, Walker rose to fame while playing for the University of Georgia, where he won the Heisman Trophy in 1982 and became a three-time unanimous All-American. After a successful stint in the USFL with the New Jersey Generals, he transitioned to the NFL, where he played for teams including the Dallas Cowboys and Minnesota Vikings, earning multiple Pro Bowl selections and establishing himself as a significant player in the league’s history.
Beyond football, Walker has explored various pursuits, including competing in the 1992 Winter Olympics as a bobsledder and achieving success in mixed martial arts. His business ventures have included food processing, although they have faced scrutiny and controversy regarding their scale and success. Politically, Walker gained national attention as the Republican nominee for the U.S. Senate from Georgia in 2022, ultimately losing to incumbent Raphael Warnock. Throughout his life, Walker has been recognized for his athletic achievements and his impact on sports and public life, making him a notable figure in American culture.
