Challenges Faced by Herschel Walker: Obstacles and Turning Points

A closer look at the defining struggles that shaped Herschel Walker's life and career.

Herschel Walker is an American diplomat and former professional football player. Currently the United States ambassador-designate to the Bahamas since 2025, he is a member of the Republican Party. Walker was the Republican nominee in the 2022 U.S. Senate election in Georgia, but was unsuccessful. As a football player, Walker played 12 seasons in the National Football League (NFL) as a running back.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1987: Complaints to Cowboys Management

In 1987, Herschel Walker complained to Cowboys management about being moved around between three different positions. He played in 12 games (11 starts), registering 891 rushing yards, 715 receiving yards, and 8 touchdowns.

1989: Walker speaks of attending FBI school

In 1989, Herschel Walker told the media that he "had fun" while attending an FBI school in Quantico for a week, speaking of an "obstacle course and you shoot at targets".

1991: Walker's alter ego plays Russian roulette

In 1991, according to his book, Herschel Walker wrote that one of his alters caused him to play Russian roulette because he saw "mortality as the ultimate challenge".

1993: Walker allegedly pressures woman to have abortion

In 1993, Herschel Walker allegedly pressured a second woman to have an abortion after a years-long extramarital relationship, according to allegations made at a press conference on October 26, 2022.

September 2001: Police called due to Walker's behavior towards Grossman

In September 2001, police were called to Cindy DeAngelis Grossman's home in Irving, Texas, by Herschel Walker's therapist. A police report stated that Walker was "volatile", had a weapon, and was scaring Grossman, and that he "talked about having a shoot-out with police." Police confiscated a SIG Sauer handgun from Walker's car and put his home on a "caution list".

December 2001: Grossman accuses Walker of abusive behavior in divorce filing

In December 2001, Cindy DeAngelis Grossman accused Herschel Walker of "physically abusive and extremely threatening behavior" in their divorce filing.

2001: Walker diagnosed with dissociative identity disorder

In 2001, Herschel Walker was formally diagnosed with dissociative identity disorder (DID) after seeking professional help for being tempted to murder a man who was late in delivering a car to him.

2001: Confrontation with friend of Grossman

Sometime around 2001, prior to May 2002, Herschel Walker had a confrontation with a friend of Cindy DeAngelis Grossman. Following the confrontation, Walker allegedly threatened her and had her house watched.

May 2002: Police report filed by friend of Grossman

In May 2002, while Herschel Walker was receiving treatment for dissociative identity disorder, a friend of Cindy DeAngelis Grossman filed a police report stating that Walker followed her home and that she was "very frightened" of him. She also reported a previous "confrontation" with Walker around 2001, followed by threats and having her house watched.

2005: Alleged altercation with ex-girlfriend Cheryl Parsa

In 2005, Cheryl Parsa, an ex-girlfriend of Herschel Walker, alleged that he put his hands on her neck and chest and swung a fist at her after she found him with another woman.

2005: Restraining order imposed on Walker

In 2005, a restraining order was imposed on Herschel Walker regarding Cindy DeAngelis Grossman, after Grossman's sister stated in an affidavit that Walker threatened to shoot Grossman and her boyfriend. A temporary gun-owning ban was also issued to Walker. Walker attributed his behavior to his dissociative identity disorder diagnosed in 2001.

2009: Walker allegedly pays for abortion

In 2009, Herschel Walker allegedly impregnated a woman and paid for her abortion, according to allegations published by The Daily Beast on October 3, 2022.

2011: Walker allegedly advises accuser to have a second abortion

In 2011, Herschel Walker allegedly advised his accuser to have a second abortion, leading to the end of their relationship, according to information released within a week of the original allegations in The New York Times.

January 2012: Report of threat made by Walker to Myka Dean

In January 2012, Myka Dean reported to Irving, Texas, police that Herschel Walker threatened to "blow her head off" when she tried to end their relationship. The police described the threats as "extreme threats". Dean was a business partner of Walker for his company Renaissance Man Inc.

2017: False Claim of Graduation in Top 1%

Starting in 2017, Herschel Walker falsely claimed that he had graduated from the University of Georgia "in the top 1% of his class".

2019: Walker claims to have spent time at Quantico at the FBI training school

In 2019, Herschel Walker claimed he "spent time at Quantico at the FBI training school" and was "an agent" when, in reality, Walker lacked the bachelor's degree required for FBI training.

April 2020: Renaissance Man Food Services receives PPP loan while Walker criticizes "big companies" for receiving PPP money

In April 2020, Renaissance Man Food Services applied for and received two Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans totaling $180,000 due to the COVID-19 pandemic's economic impact. Also in April 2020, Walker mocked "big companies" on Twitter for receiving PPP money, despite being a board member of the Sotherly Hotel Group, which received over $9 million in PPP loans while firing 90% of its hotel staff.

2020: Walker supports Trump's efforts to overturn election results and spreads conspiracy theories.

Following Joe Biden's victory in the 2020 presidential election, Herschel Walker tweeted a video supporting Trump's efforts to overturn the election results. Walker spread numerous conspiracy theories, claiming that Biden "didn't get 50 million" votes and alleging "country-wide election fraud."

2020: Renaissance Man Food Services reports having eight employees

In 2020, Renaissance Man Food Services informed the U.S. government that it had only eight employees.

July 2021: Doubts raised about Walker's effectiveness as a candidate

In July 2021, Fox News reported that some Georgia Republicans were unsure about Herschel Walker's effectiveness as a candidate for the U.S. Senate, citing the unknown positions on key issues.

December 2021: Valedictorian Claim Controversy

In December 2021, Herschel Walker's Senate campaign website claimed he graduated as the valedictorian of the entire high school, but CNN found no evidence for this claim, leading to the claim being removed and amended.

December 2021: Education Claims Deleted from Website

In December 2021, Herschel Walker's Senate campaign website deleted assertions about his education after The Atlanta Journal-Constitution inquired about it, with Walker acknowledging he left the university prior to graduation.

2021: Walker spreads conspiracy theory about Capitol attack

In 2021, Herschel Walker spread a conspiracy theory about the 2021 United States Capitol attack, suggesting it was a "well-planned" distraction from election fraud.

June 2022: Walker's law enforcement claims questioned

In June 2022, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution found that Herschel Walker's claims about working in law enforcement were either false or unverifiable.

July 2022: Walker says he has "no clue" whether Biden fairly won Georgia

In July 2022, Herschel Walker, when asked whether Joe Biden had fairly defeated Donald Trump in Georgia, replied, "I have no clue."

October 3, 2022: Walker accused of paying for abortion

On October 3, 2022, The Daily Beast reported allegations from a woman claiming Herschel Walker impregnated her and paid for her abortion in 2009. She supported the claim with images of a check, a get-well card, and a receipt for the abortion. Walker denied the allegations.

October 5, 2022: Walker's campaign fires political director

On October 5, 2022, Herschel Walker's campaign fired Taylor Crowe, his campaign political director, due to suspicions of leaking information to the media.

October 7, 2022: Walker acknowledges his accuser is the mother of his son

On October 7, 2022, Herschel Walker acknowledged that his accuser was the mother of his son, while addressing allegations that she had an abortion.

October 14, 2022: Walker and Warnock face off in Senate debate

On October 14, 2022, Herschel Walker and his Democratic challenger, Raphael Warnock, participated in their only debate for the Senate election. Walker was described as "aggressive and persistent," frequently interrupting Warnock, mocking him, linking him to President Biden, and displaying what appeared to be a law enforcement badge.

October 26, 2022: Second woman alleges Walker pressured her to have an abortion

On October 26, 2022, a second woman, who has not been identified, alleged at a press conference organized by attorney Gloria Allred that Herschel Walker pressured her to have an abortion in 1993 after a years-long extramarital relationship with him. Walker denied the allegation.

December 6, 2022: Walker loses Senate runoff election

On December 6, 2022, Herschel Walker narrowly lost the Senate runoff election to incumbent Democrat Raphael Warnock. The final vote tally was 51.40% for Warnock and 48.60% for Walker, Walker conceded the election that night.

December 2022: Report of alleged altercation with ex-girlfriend Cheryl Parsa in 2005

In December 2022, The Daily Beast reported that Cheryl Parsa, an ex-girlfriend of Herschel Walker, alleged that in 2005, he put his hands on her neck and chest and swung a fist at her after she found him with another woman.