Herschel Walker is a former American football player who had a successful 12-season career in the NFL. Following his athletic retirement, he entered politics and became the Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate, representing Georgia, in the 2022 election.
Herschel Junior Walker was born on March 3, 1962.
Herschel Walker began playing football for the Johnson County Trojans high school team in 1976.
In 1979, Herschel Walker led the Johnson County Trojans to their first state championship in football. He also received the inaugural Dial Award as the national high school scholar-athlete of the year.
During his freshman season at the University of Georgia in 1980, Herschel Walker set the NCAA freshman rushing record and was the first "true freshman" to become a first-team All-American. He played a key role in Georgia's undefeated season and victory over Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl.
Herschel Walker achieved a significant milestone in his college football career in 1982 by winning both the Heisman Trophy and the Maxwell Award.
Herschel Walker signed with the New Jersey Generals of the USFL in 1983, a team then owned by J. Walter Duncan, who later sold it to Donald Trump.
In 1983, Herschel Walker married Cindy DeAngelis Grossman, whom he met during their time in college.
In 1984, George Rogers and Earl Campbell, both Heisman Trophy winners, teamed up in the backfield for the New Orleans Saints, creating a notable Heisman backfield pairing.
In 1984, Herschel Walker ventured into the food industry by opening a franchise of the fast food restaurant D'Lites in Athens, Georgia.
Anticipating Herschel Walker's potential entry into the NFL, the Dallas Cowboys drafted him in the fifth round of the 1985 NFL Draft, securing his NFL rights.
Herschel Walker was named the USFL's Most Valuable Player in 1985, the league's final season. He then joined the NFL's Dallas Cowboys after the USFL folded.
Herschel Walker officially joined the Dallas Cowboys in 1986 and was assigned to the fullback position, sharing backfield responsibilities with Tony Dorsett. This marked the second instance of a Heisman backfield tandem in NFL history.
In 1987, Herschel Walker voiced his dissatisfaction to the Cowboys management about being shuffled between multiple positions and receiving fewer carries than Tony Dorsett. Dorsett, also unhappy with the situation, requested a trade and was subsequently sent to the Denver Broncos.
Herschel Walker earned his first Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro honors in 1987 while playing for the Dallas Cowboys.
Herschel Walker continued his success with the Dallas Cowboys in 1988, earning his second consecutive Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro selections.
Herschel Walker solidified his position as a premier running back in the NFL in 1988. He became a focal point of the Cowboys' offense, achieving career highs in rushing and receiving yards while playing multiple positions. His performance earned him consecutive Pro Bowl selections for the 1987 and 1988 seasons.
In 1989, Herschel Walker shared an anecdote about attending an FBI school in Quantico for a week, where he participated in activities like an obstacle course and target shooting.
In a move considered one of the most lopsided trades in NFL history, Herschel Walker was traded from the Dallas Cowboys to the Minnesota Vikings in 1989.
In a significant 1989 trade, the Dallas Cowboys sent Herschel Walker to the Minnesota Vikings. In return, the Cowboys received five players (Jesse Solomon, Issiac Holt, Darrin Nelson, David Howard, and Alex Stewart) and six future draft picks. The trade significantly shaped both franchises' futures and is considered a pivotal moment in NFL history.
In his book, Herschel Walker recounted a 1991 incident where he played Russian roulette, attributing the risky behavior to his dissociative identity disorder and a competitive alter.
Herschel Walker joined the Philadelphia Eagles in 1992, aiming to contribute to their pursuit of a Super Bowl victory.
In 1992, Herschel Walker participated in the Winter Olympics as a member of the United States bobsleigh team.
In 1992, Herschel Walker participated in the Winter Olympics held in Albertville, France, representing the United States as part of the bobsleigh team. Initially selected for the four-man team, he ultimately competed in the two-man competition as the brakeman alongside teammate Brian Shimer. The duo finished in seventh place.
An unidentified woman alleged that Herschel Walker pressured her into getting an abortion in 1993 while they were in a relationship.
In 1993, Herschel Walker remained a key player for the Philadelphia Eagles, significantly contributing to both their rushing and receiving games.
Herschel Walker achieved a unique distinction in 1994 by becoming the first NFL player to have one-play gains of 90 yards or more in a single season through rushing, receiving, and kick returning.
In 1995, Herschel Walker signed a three-year, $4.8 million contract with the New York Giants as a third-down back. During his sole season with the team, he excelled as a kick returner, leading the Giants with 45 kick returns at an average of 21.5 yards per return.
In 1996, Herschel Walker rejoined the Dallas Cowboys, where he primarily served as a kickoff return specialist and third-down back. He also saw some action as a fullback, focusing on ball-handling rather than blocking.
After a long and successful career, Herschel Walker announced his retirement from professional football at the end of the 1997 season.
Herschel Walker was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1999, recognizing his outstanding college football career at the University of Georgia.
In September 2001, police were called to Cindy Grossman's home due to a concerning encounter with Herschel Walker. Walker, described as "volatile" and armed, was reported to have spoken about engaging in a shootout with the police. His therapist, present at the scene, de-escalated the situation. Although a handgun was confiscated from Walker's vehicle, and his residence was flagged for "violent tendencies," no arrest or charges were made. In a separate incident, Walker's therapist recounted calling 911 during a session with Walker and Grossman due to threats of violence, leading to Walker injuring his fist by striking a door.
In December 2001, Cindy Grossman filed for divorce from Herschel Walker, alleging "physically abusive and extremely threatening behavior" during their marriage. She later revealed that Walker had threatened her with a gun and knives on multiple occasions.
Around 2001, Herschel Walker allegedly had a confrontation with a friend of his ex-wife, which he followed up with threats and having her house watched, as per a police report filed in 2002.
Herschel Walker received a formal diagnosis of dissociative identity disorder in 2001 after seeking help for violent urges, as he described in his autobiography.
In May 2002, a friend of Herschel Walker's ex-wife filed a police report, alleging that he had followed her home and made her fearful. She cited prior confrontations and threats from Walker.
After 19 years of marriage, Herschel Walker and Cindy DeAngelis Grossman divorced in 2002.
In 2002, Herschel Walker founded Renaissance Man Food Services, a company specializing in the distribution of chicken products. The idea for the company originated from a conversation with a Sysco Corp. vice president, who became his initial producer. In the same year, Walker established H. Walker Enterprises in Savannah, Georgia, to serve as an umbrella organization for his various business ventures, with Renaissance Man Food Services being the largest among them.
In 2005, a restraining order was issued against Herschel Walker following an affidavit from Cindy Grossman's sister, who claimed Walker threatened to kill Grossman and her new boyfriend. This also resulted in a temporary ban on Walker owning firearms. Walker, attributing his actions to dissociative identity disorder, claimed no recollection of the threats or assault.
During a guest appearance on the HDNet show "Inside MMA" in November 2007, Herschel Walker expressed his intention to participate in an upcoming mixed martial arts reality show alongside José Canseco. He also revealed plans to have an official MMA fight following the show's conclusion.
Over the years, Herschel Walker faced criticism and legal challenges related to alleged exaggerations regarding the size and success of his companies, including Renaissance Man Food Services. While he initially claimed annual sales of $70 million, subsequent deposition testimony revealed significantly lower figures, averaging around $1.5 million in annual profits between 2008 and 2017.
In 2008, Herschel Walker published his book, "Breaking Free: My Life with Dissociative Identity Disorder," where he discussed his experiences with the disorder and aimed to reduce stigma surrounding mental illness.
Herschel Walker released his autobiography in 2008, detailing his life and career.
In September 2009, at the age of 47, Herschel Walker signed a contract with the MMA promotion company Strikeforce, marking his official entry into the world of professional mixed martial arts. He was slated to compete in their heavyweight division.
In October 2009, Herschel Walker embarked on a rigorous 12-week training camp under the guidance of renowned trainer "Crazy" Bob Cook at the American Kickboxing Academy in San Jose, California, in preparation for his professional MMA debut.
Herschel Walker's statements about the number of employees at Renaissance Man Food Services raised questions about their accuracy. While he claimed over 100 employees in 2009, this number escalated to "over 600 employees" in 2018. However, in 2020, the company reported only eight employees to the U.S. government. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution suggested that Walker's inflated figures might have included chicken processing jobs, which were not directly part of his company.
In 2009, Herschel Walker joined the cast of the popular reality television show "The Celebrity Apprentice" as a contestant for its second season.
In 2009, a woman who was dating Herschel Walker at the time alleged that he impregnated her and paid for her abortion. This allegation, which surfaced in 2022, was supported by evidence including a check from Walker, a get-well card, and an abortion receipt. Walker denied the claims.
On January 30, 2010, at Strikeforce: Miami, Herschel Walker made his highly anticipated MMA debut against Greg Nagy. Walker emerged victorious, securing a technical knockout via strikes.
On January 29, 2011, Herschel Walker faced former WEC fighter Scott Carson in his second professional MMA bout. Walker continued his winning streak, defeating Carson via TKO (strikes) at 3:13 of round 1. The fight was originally scheduled for December 4 but was postponed due to Walker sustaining a cut during training.
In 2022, a woman alleged that Herschel Walker pressured her to have a second abortion in 2011. The woman, who later gave birth to Walker's son, stated that Walker believed it was not a suitable time to have another child.
In January 2012, Myka Dean filed a police report alleging that Herschel Walker made death threats against her when she attempted to end their 20-year "on-off" relationship. Despite the police officer characterizing these as "extreme threats," and Dean's business ties with Walker through his company, Walker's 2022 political campaign refuted the allegations, stating they were false.
In 2012, the woman who had accused Herschel Walker of paying for her abortion in 2009 gave birth to their son. This information became public knowledge during Walker's 2022 Senate campaign when the woman came forward with her allegations.
Julie Blanchard announced her engagement to Herschel Walker in 2012.
In 2014, Herschel Walker appeared in a commercial endorsing Jack Kingston, a Republican candidate in the U.S. Senate primary election in Georgia. The commercial was funded by the United States Chamber of Commerce.
In 2014, Herschel Walker showcased his culinary skills on the reality cooking competition show "Rachael vs. Guy: Celebrity Cook-Off". His dishes impressed the judges, earning him the title of season 3 winner.
Herschel Walker actively supported Donald Trump during the 2016 and 2020 presidential elections.
Between 2016 and 2021, while Herschel Walker criticized companies receiving PPP loans, he served on the board of the Sotherly Hotel Group, which received substantial PPP funds. Government records show Walker received a total of $247,227 in payments from Sotherly during this period.
On July 4, 2017, Trojan Way in Wrightsville, Georgia, the location of Johnson County High School, was renamed Herschel Walker Drive in honor of the athlete.
Over the years, Herschel Walker faced criticism and legal challenges related to alleged exaggerations regarding the size and success of his companies, including Renaissance Man Food Services. While he initially claimed annual sales of $70 million, subsequent deposition testimony revealed significantly lower figures, averaging around $1.5 million in annual profits between 2008 and 2017.
Starting in 2017, Herschel Walker repeatedly asserted that he graduated from the University of Georgia "in the top 1% of his class." This claim was false, as he left the university to join the USFL and did not complete his degree.
Herschel Walker's claims about Renaissance Man Food Services being a "mini-Tyson Foods" and owning multiple chicken processing plants were contradicted in 2018. In a legal case against his company, Walker admitted that the company didn't own any processing plants but instead collaborated with plant owners to sell branded products. Business associates later testified that Walker licensed his name to the chicken-related enterprise.
Herschel Walker's statements about the number of employees at Renaissance Man Food Services raised questions about their accuracy. While he claimed over 100 employees in 2009, this number escalated to "over 600 employees" in 2018. However, in 2020, the company reported only eight employees to the U.S. government. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution suggested that Walker's inflated figures might have included chicken processing jobs, which were not directly part of his company.
In 2018, Herschel Walker publicly endorsed Brian Kemp, the Republican candidate in the Georgia gubernatorial election.
In 2018, Herschel Walker was appointed by President Donald Trump to the President's Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition.
Myka Dean, who had accused Herschel Walker of making threats against her, passed away in 2019.
In 2019, Herschel Walker made false claims about having received FBI training at Quantico, stating he spent time there and was an "agent." This claim contradicted the FBI's requirements, as he lacked the necessary bachelor's degree.
Herschel Walker began serving as a co-chair on the President's Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition under President Donald Trump in 2019.
In April 2020, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, Renaissance Man Food Services, received two Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans totaling $180,000, with $111,300 later forgiven. Despite this, Walker publicly criticized "big companies" that received PPP funds, suggesting they were "ashamed" and "giving back" the money. This criticism sparked controversy as Walker was simultaneously a board member of the Sotherly Hotel Group, which received over $9 million in PPP loans while laying off a significant portion of its hotel staff.
On December 17, 2020, Donald Trump reappointed Herschel Walker to a second two-year term on the President's Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition.
During the 2020 election cycle, Herschel Walker's stance on the integrity of the election became a point of scrutiny. While he publicly acknowledged Joe Biden's victory in the October debate with Raphael Warnock, his prior statements and actions suggested skepticism about the election's fairness.
Following Joe Biden's victory in the 2020 presidential election, Herschel Walker publicly expressed support for Donald Trump's attempts to overturn the election results. Walker shared a video on social media endorsing these efforts, aligning himself with Trump's baseless claims of election fraud.
Herschel Walker's statements about the number of employees at Renaissance Man Food Services raised questions about their accuracy. While he claimed over 100 employees in 2009, this number escalated to "over 600 employees" in 2018. However, in 2020, the company reported only eight employees to the U.S. government. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution suggested that Walker's inflated figures might have included chicken processing jobs, which were not directly part of his company.
Herschel Walker's term as co-chair of the President's Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition concluded in 2020.
In a 2020 interview, before publicly acknowledging all of his children, Walker spoke out against fatherless households, calling them a "major, major problem" in African-American communities.
In July 2021, as Herschel Walker considered a run for the U.S. Senate in Georgia, some Georgia Republicans expressed uncertainty about his potential effectiveness as a candidate. Concerns stemmed from the lack of clarity regarding his stance on key issues important to Republican voters.
In August 2021, while preparing for his U.S. Senate bid, Herschel Walker officially registered to vote in Georgia, listing his residence in the Buckhead neighborhood. This property was owned by his wife, Julie Blanchard.
In August 2021, Herschel Walker formally announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate seat held by Democrat Raphael Warnock.
In October 2021, Herschel Walker received a significant endorsement from Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, signaling the Republican establishment's support for his Senate bid. This came after Walker entered the race with high favorability ratings and strong support from moderate Republicans.
Herschel Walker's Senate campaign website removed the false assertions about graduating from the University of Georgia in December 2021 after inquiries from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Walker admitted to leaving before graduating to play professional football but later falsely claimed he never said he graduated.
In December 2021, during his Senate campaign, Herschel Walker faced scrutiny and controversy regarding claims made about his high school graduation ranking. His campaign website initially stated he was valedictorian, but this was later removed and amended after CNN found no evidence to support the claim.
Throughout 2021, Herschel Walker actively promoted various conspiracy theories regarding the 2020 presidential election. He made unsubstantiated allegations about widespread voter fraud, questioned the legitimacy of Joe Biden's victory, and even suggested that the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol was a planned diversion tactic.
Between 2016 and 2021, while Herschel Walker criticized companies receiving PPP loans, he served on the board of the Sotherly Hotel Group, which received substantial PPP funds. Government records show Walker received a total of $247,227 in payments from Sotherly during this period.
Herschel Walker married Julie Blanchard in 2021.
In January 2022, during a political campaign event, Herschel Walker stated that he resided in Texas. This contradicted his voter registration in Georgia, where he had declared candidacy for the U.S. Senate. Tax records also indicated that Texas remained his primary residence for 2021 and 2022, raising questions about his eligibility to run for office in Georgia.
In March 2022, President Biden removed Herschel Walker from the President's Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition after asking for his resignation.
In May 2022, Herschel Walker publicly declared his opposition to abortion, advocating for a complete ban without any exceptions. He emphasized his support for adoption and assistance for single parents as alternatives to abortion.
In May 2022, when asked about addressing gun violence, Herschel Walker drew a parallel to the biblical story of Cain and Abel, framing it as an enduring societal problem. He suggested focusing on mental health resources and monitoring social media activities of young men and women as potential solutions. Walker also expressed reservations about implementing new gun control laws.
In June 2022, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution published an article questioning Herschel Walker's claims of working in law enforcement. The newspaper found that some of his claims were either false or could not be verified.
In June 2022, Herschel Walker publicly acknowledged having more children besides his son Christian. This came after a report from The Daily Beast revealed one of his other sons, prompting a statement from Walker that he had "never denied" having four children. However, conflicting reports arose regarding Walker's transparency about his children during his 2022 Senate campaign.
In July 2022, Herschel Walker stated, "I have no clue," when questioned about whether he believed Joe Biden had fairly won the 2020 presidential election against Donald Trump in Georgia. This remark fueled ongoing controversies surrounding his stance on the election's legitimacy and his alignment with Trump's claims.
In August 2022, Herschel Walker expressed skepticism about the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, particularly its provisions aimed at addressing climate change. He criticized the allocation of funds for environmental initiatives, questioning the need for more trees and suggesting that the government was attempting to deceive the public about the act's benefits.
In September 2022, Herschel Walker expressed his opposition to the participation of transgender athletes in women's sports, advocating for their exclusion. He also made controversial remarks about transgender children, suggesting that their gender identity might not be recognized by Jesus.
In September 2022, Herschel Walker expressed support for Senator Lindsey Graham's proposed legislation to implement a nationwide ban on abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. The bill included exceptions for cases involving rape, incest, or threats to the pregnant person's life.
On October 3, 2022, The Daily Beast published allegations from a woman claiming that Herschel Walker impregnated her in 2009 and paid for her abortion. The woman provided evidence including a check from Walker, a get-well card with his purported signature, and an abortion receipt. While Walker denied the claims, the publication maintained it corroborated the story.
On October 5, 2022, Herschel Walker's Senate campaign dismissed Taylor Crowe, who was serving as the campaign's political director, due to suspicions that he had leaked information to the media.
On October 7, 2022, Herschel Walker confirmed that the woman accusing him of paying for her abortion was the mother of one of his children. He acknowledged the paternity of their son, born in 2012, but maintained his stance of not coercing or paying for the alleged abortion. Walker stated he did not recall giving the woman a get-well card or a check but acknowledged the possibility.
On October 14, 2022, Herschel Walker participated in his only debate with Democratic opponent, Raphael Warnock, for the Senate election. Walker's performance was marked by an aggressive and persistent demeanor, frequently interrupting and mocking Warnock. Notably, he displayed a law enforcement badge, violating the debate's rules.
In October 2022, Herschel Walker faced public criticism from his adult son, Christian, regarding his absence as a father. Christian highlighted Walker's multiple children with different women and inconsistent presence in their lives. Additionally, the mother of another of Walker's sons, born in 2012, revealed that Walker had limited involvement in their son's life, with his contributions primarily limited to court-ordered child support and occasional gifts, which she suggested were often from Walker's wife, Julie Blanchard.
In October 2022, Herschel Walker's son, Christian, publicly accused him on Twitter of making death threats against him and his mother. Christian criticized Walker's behavior, contrasting it with his public image as a "family man" and highlighting the hypocrisy of Walker's stance on fatherhood. In response to the accusations, Walker expressed his love for his son unconditionally.
On October 26, 2022, attorney Gloria Allred held a press conference where an anonymous woman accused Herschel Walker of pressuring her to have an abortion in 1993 during their extramarital relationship. Walker denied the allegation, calling it a "lie."
On November 8, 2022, Herschel Walker participated in the general election for the Georgia Senate seat. As no candidate secured a majority, a runoff election was scheduled for December 6, 2022, against incumbent Democrat Raphael Warnock.
During a mid-November 2022 campaign speech, Herschel Walker made an analogy comparing his opponent, Raphael Warnock, to a vampire based on a film he had seen. He also expressed a desire to be a "werewolf" as they could defeat vampires, framing himself as a "warrior."
During his Senate campaign, Herschel Walker voiced opposition to the Green New Deal, a proposed environmental program. He also made controversial remarks about climate change, including the assertion that "good air" from America floated to China, displacing "bad air" that then polluted the U.S. These statements drew criticism for their scientific inaccuracy and simplistic understanding of climate science.
During his campaign, Herschel Walker downplayed the significance of abortion rights as a pivotal issue in the November 2022 election. He suggested that voters were not particularly concerned about abortion compared to other matters.
In December 2022, The Daily Beast published an account from Cheryl Parsa, a former girlfriend of Herschel Walker, alleging that Walker physically assaulted her in 2005 after she discovered him with another woman. Parsa recounted that Walker, enraged by the situation, grabbed her by the neck and chest, and attempted to strike her.
In 2022, Herschel Walker's political campaign addressed allegations of threats made by Walker towards Myka Dean in 2012. The campaign disputed the claims, stating they were false and that Walker maintained a good relationship with Dean's parents.
In 2022, Herschel Walker ran for the United States Senate in Georgia as the Republican nominee. He lost the election to incumbent Democrat Raphael Warnock.