Early Life and Education of Herschel Walker: A Complete Timeline

Discover the defining moments in the early life of Herschel Walker. From birth to education, explore key events.

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

March 3, 1962: Herschel Walker Born

On March 3, 1962, Herschel Walker was born. He would later become a football player and politician.

Others born on this day/year

1976: Played for the Johnson County Trojans

In 1976, Herschel Walker started playing football for the Johnson County Trojans high school football team.

1979: State Championship and Dial Award

In 1979, during his senior year, Herschel Walker rushed for 3,167 yards, helping the Johnson County Trojans win their first state championship. He was also awarded the inaugural Dial Award as national high school scholar-athlete of the year.

1980: Freshman Season and National Championship

During his freshman season in 1980, Herschel Walker set the NCAA freshman rushing record and played a major role in helping Georgia win the de facto national championship with a victory over Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl.

1982: Heisman Trophy and Maxwell Award Winner

In 1982, Herschel Walker won the Heisman Trophy and Maxwell Award while playing for the University of Georgia.

1983: Walker's marriage to Cindy DeAngelis Grossman

In 1983, Herschel Walker married Cindy DeAngelis Grossman, whom he met in college. They later had a son, Christian.

1984: D'Lites Fast Food Restaurant Franchise

In 1984, Herschel Walker franchised a D'Lites fast food restaurant in Athens, Georgia.

1989: Trade to the Minnesota Vikings

In 1989, Herschel Walker was traded to the Minnesota Vikings in what is regarded as one of the most lopsided trades in NFL history.

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".

1992: Competed in the Winter Olympics

In 1992, Herschel Walker competed in the Winter Olympics in Albertville, France as a member of the United States' bobsleigh team, placing seventh in the two-man competition.

1992: Winter Olympics Bobsleigh Team

In 1992, Herschel Walker was a member of the United States' bobsleigh team at the Winter Olympics.

1997: Retirement from football

Herschel Walker retired at the end of the 1997 NFL season.

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.

2002: Walker's divorce from Cindy DeAngelis Grossman

After 19 years of marriage, Herschel Walker and Cindy DeAngelis Grossman divorced in 2002.

2002: Created Renaissance Man Food Services

In 2002, Herschel Walker created Renaissance Man Food Services, which distributes chicken products, and founded Savannah-based H. Walker Enterprises as an umbrella company.

November 2007: Appeared on Inside MMA

In November 2007, Herschel Walker appeared on the HDNet show Inside MMA, indicating he would take part in a mixed martial arts reality show.

Loading Video...

2008: Walker publishes book on dissociative identity disorder

In 2008, Herschel Walker released the book "Breaking Free: My Life with Dissociative Identity Disorder" to help dispel myths about mental illness and to help others. He also served as a spokesperson for a mental health treatment program for veterans.

Breaking Free: My Life with Dissociative Identity Disorder

Check it on Amazon

2008: Renaissance Man Food Services sales

In 2008, Walker claimed Renaissance Man Food Services had $70 million in annual sales.

2008: Autobiography Mention of Beta Club President and Class Valedictorian

In his 2008 autobiography, Herschel Walker wrote that he was the Beta Club president and class valedictorian at Johnson County High School.

2009: Contestant on The Celebrity Apprentice

In 2009, Herschel Walker was a contestant in the second season of the reality television show The Celebrity Apprentice.

Loading Video...

2012: Julie Blanchard identified as Walker's fiancée

In 2012, Julie Blanchard publicly stated that she was Herschel Walker's fiancée.

2012: Birth of one of Walker's sons

One of Walker's sons was born in 2012. The mother of the son said that Walker saw his son "maybe ... three times", with Walker's parenting contributions mostly being court-ordered child support and sporadic gifts.

2017: Renaissance Man Food Services sales

In 2017, Walker claimed Renaissance Man Food Services had $70 million in annual sales.

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: Co-chair on President's Council

From 2019, Herschel Walker served as a co-chair on the President's Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition.

2019: Death of Myka Dean

In 2019, Myka Dean, who had reported threats from Herschel Walker in 2012, passed away.

2020: Co-chair on President's Council

Until 2020, Herschel Walker served as a co-chair on the President's Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition.

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 marries Julie Blanchard

In 2021, Herschel Walker married Julie Blanchard.

2022: U.S. Senate Election in Georgia

In 2022, Herschel Walker ran unsuccessfully as the Republican Party's nominee in the U.S. Senate election in Georgia.

December 2024: Nominated as United States Ambassador to the Bahamas

In December 2024, Donald Trump announced his nomination of Herschel Walker to serve as the United States Ambassador to the Bahamas. He was confirmed by the Senate.

December 16, 2024: Graduated with Bachelor of Science

42 years after his initial enrollment, on December 16, 2024, Herschel Walker graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Family and Consumer Sciences degree in Housing Management and Policy.