Herschel Walker officially announces candidacy for US Senate
Former Georgia football star Herschel Walker officially announced his plan to run for US Senate in the state of Georgia on Wednesday. He also confirmed that he will be a part of the Republican ticket in the 2022 election. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution first reported Walker’s candidacy on Tuesday. The AJC also reported that former President Donald Trump has played a large role in kickstarting Walker’s political career.
The announcement confirms previous reports that he will move from his home in Texas to Georgia to run for office. He recently registered to vote in Georgia, sparking the speculation.
The 1982 Heisman Trophy winner becomes the most famous and least experienced candidate to join the race to compete against incumbent Democratic Senator Raphael Warren next year.
“At my core, I’m a runner, but I wasn’t always fast,” Walker says in a video announcement. “Here is Wrightsville, Georgia, it’s just a little town. It’s where I grew up and I got real fast. I learned discipline, faith in God, and the value of hard work. I learned about sacrificing things you want in the moment for the future you know you can have if you work hard enough. I’ve been a lot of places but in Wrightsville, I learned important lessons. If you want it bad enough, you work for it, you can get it. You might stumble, make mistakes. But you only fail if you give up.
“The politicians pit American against American, rich versus poor, blight versus white, urban versus rural. I don’t believe in that garbage. It’s a lie. I’m a conservative, not because someone told me to be, I’m conservative because I believe in smaller government, a strong military, personal responsibility and making sure all people have the opportunity to pursue their dreams. That’s an America worth fighting for.
“My name is Herschel Walker and I’m running for the United States Senate. I’m a kid from a small town in Georgia who’s lived the American dream. And I’m ready to fight to keep that dream alive for you too.”
Herschel Walker’s football career
Before Hershel Walker was a candidate for the US Senate, he was one of the best all-time college football players. He ran for 5,259 yards over his three-year college career at Georgia. He scored 52 touchdowns, but he threw an interception on his only career passing attempt.
Walker finished in the top three in Heisman voting each season, going from third to second before winning the award in 1982.
He was drafted in the fifth round of the 1985 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys after a three-year stint with the New Jersey Generals of the USFL.
Walker went on to be a two-time Pro Bowler and two-time second-team All-Pro during his time with the Cowboys. He was the centerpiece in one of the NFL’s most famous trades. New owner Jerry Jones sent him to the Minnesota Vikings for five players and six draft picks.
The former Georgia running back went on to play for the Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants before returning to the Cowboys to cap off his 12-year NFL career. He retired with 8,225 yards and 61 touchdowns on the ground, adding 4,859 receiving yards with 21 touchdowns and two kick return touchdowns to his total.