Posted on 09/21/2009 10:52:19 AM PDT by Manic_Episode
Former Heisman Trophy winner Herschel Walker has signed an agreement with Strikeforce, FanHouse has learned.
The former NFL running back will immediately enter an 8-to-12 week training camp with the American Kickboxing Academy in San Jose, Calif.
Strikeforce director of communications Mike Afromowitz said it's too early to speculate when the 47-year-old will make his debut with the organization but it will probably be sometime in 2010.
"This isn't a publicity stunt or a gimmick," Afromowitz said. "Herschel Walker has tremendous athleticism, and he has always shown that off the gridiron. He's accomplished a lot in his life and in the world of sports. His accomplishments speak for themselves, and we hope that his athleticism can transition into a successful MMA career."
Although Walker is known for his football career, he does have a sixth-degree black belt in taekwondo and competed in the 1992 Winter Olympics in the two-man bobsled, finishing seventh.
In November 2007, Walker announced on HDNet's Inside MMA that he would appear on a MMA reality show with Jose Canseco and other former professional athletes, however, the show never made it past the pre-production stages.
"I've been training for several years. I would play college football games on Saturday and then compete in martial arts tournaments on Sunday after church I'm now looking forward to opening up another chapter in my life and to competing in MMA," Walker said via press release.
In 1999, the former University of Georgia star was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. An 11-year NFL veteran and two-time Pro Bowl rusher, Walker played for the Dallas Cowboys, Minnesota Vikings, Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants. On Saturday, Walker's name was included on the Pro Football Hall of Fame's preliminary list of nominees for the 2010 induction class.
"I will go in there and test myself against any 20 year old," Walker said. "I know there will be naysayers and I'm fine with that. I want to prove to people who sit on a couch and don't do anything but criticize other people that, if you're a true athlete or martial artist, you're not old until you can't get up and walk around anymore. MMA fighters are said to be some of the best athletes in the world, my plan at the age of 47 is to show the world I am still one of the best athletes as well."
Afromowitz said Walker will compete as a heavyweight.
bttt
Yea...Drop Paul Buentello and sign Herschel Walker? wtf
Walker married his college sweetheart, Cindy DeAngelis Grossman in 1983. After eighteen years of marriage they divorced in 2001.[15]
He is a born-again Christian who frequently talked about his faith during his USFL interviews. Since his retirement he has attracted little publicity, although he made a guest appearance on The Hour of Power, hosted by noted televangelist Robert Schuller.
He has a sixth-degree black belt in tae kwon do and he nearly made the Olympic team in the sprint relay. He competed in the 1992 Winter Olympics in two-man bobsled, finishing seventh.[16] He ran the 100 meters in 10.22, the 100 yards in 9.3. He also won back-to-back American Superstars competitions in 1987 and 1988. Walker stated in a phone interview on The Jim Rome Show on November 20, 2006 that he still performs 2,500 sit-ups and 1,500 push ups every morning. He has been going through this same routine every morning since high school.
In November 2007, Walker appeared on the HDNet show Inside MMA as a guest. He indicated that he would take part in a mixed martial arts reality show in the near future (along with José Canseco) and that he would have an official MMA fight at the conclusion of the show.[17]
In a 2008 autobiography entitled “Breaking Free,” Walker confesses that he suffers from Dissociative Identity Disorder, formerly known as “multiple personality disorder.”[18] He has claimed that due to his disorder, he cannot remember the season he won the Heisman Trophy, let alone the moment. He also claimed that during an episode, he had held a gun to his own head. He stated he did not ever remember doing this. He is getting help for this disorder, and feels he has recovered by gaining back control.[19]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herschel_Walker
Fifteen years ago, I’d say he would’ve made a hell of an MMA fighter. At 47? Eh, I kinda doubt it. Still, he was an amazing athlete. I respect the heck out of the guy, even if he did play for the hated Plowboys.
}:-)4
One of the most amazing things about Herschel Walker is that he didn’t lift weights.
My wife went to the University of Georgia with him and once literally ran into (and promptly bounced off) him as he was coming out of an elevator. She just looked up at him and said, “You’re Herschel, aren’t you?”
The push up and sit up thing was said by a teammate to be false several years ago. Not sure about the teammates credibility, but IIRC he was angry at Walker for stating that because he had kids out there trying to do the same thing.
That, and if my memory serves, he was actually a proficient ballet dancer—he studied dance to improve his balance and flexibility, and judging from the way he ran, I’d say it worked. He and Bo Jackson were both amazing to watch.
}:-)4
I recall his first carry for the Minnesota Vikings. His shoe came off yet he ran for a TD. That was it for Herschel.
Walker was a great athlete, but Bo Jackson was on some other kind of level from everyone.
Herschel Walker does what’s best for Herschel...
not in this case.
I saw an interview with Herschel a couple years ago and he said then that he wanted to get into kickboxing
You are correct. I believe he even performed with a ballet company in Dallas. I always liked Herschel.
Did Strikeforce have to trade any draft picks to get Herschel?
The question is, which Herschel?
An 11-year NFL veteran and two-time Pro Bowl rusher, Walker played for the Dallas Cowboys, Minnesota Vikings, Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants. On Saturday, Walker's name was included on the Pro Football Hall of Fame's preliminary list of nominees for the 2010 induction class.Okay, so, maybe he needs the money...
Of course he could be his own tag-team.
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