Georgia Bulldogs Running Back Herschel Walker

June 11th, 2010

Nobody would argue with the notion that the University of Georgia Bulldogs football program has had a continuing impact on the game of college football. With an impressive record of wins and losses – nearly two wins for every game they have lost in the last century-plus of football, the Bulldogs occupy a place among the sport’s best. From their position in the SEC, the Bulldogs have enjoyed many winning seasons, though recent years have not been among their best. Still, they are routinely ranked in the football polls, and always provide formidable competition for their opponents. Many of the great players in football history have won the Bulldogs’ uniform and played in their Athens, Georgia stadium – one of the largest stadiums of its kind in the world – in front of the more than ninety thousand fans that regularly fill it to capacity. One memorable Georgia player in recent decades was the Heisman Award winner of 1982 – Herschel Walker.

Hershel Walker at Georgia

Walker was one of those rare running backs who made contributions wherever he went. Upon arriving at the Georgia campus, he saw play as a freshman – a lot of play – as he bowled over opposing defenders on his way to new freshman records for yards rushing. Most impressively, the Georgia team was undefeated in Walker’s first season, which helped propel the young man into third place in that year’s Heisman voting. The fact that he was even in contention in an era that frowned on such awards for freshmen is just one indication of how good he really was. After defeating the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the postseason Sugar Bowl, the Bulldogs were awarded a national title. Walker would continue his powerful running throughout the next two seasons, performing so well that he was finally awarded the Heisman Trophy in his junior season of 1982.

Leaving college

Walker decided that three years of college play had elevated his draft stock to a high enough level, and sought to gain admittance to the NFL draft. Unfortunately, the NFL rules at the time did not permit underclassmen to participate in the draft process, nor could NFL teams hire those who left their schools prior to their senior seasons. Walker was undeterred by the existing rules, and found a way around them by joining a team in the United States Football League. By getting into the pro ranks as quickly as he could – even if it was with the USFL – Walker was determined to maintain a steady hand on his own future earnings potential, as well as potential advertising revenue. The Dallas Cowboys took a chance in 1985 and grabbed Walker’s option in that year’s Draft – awaiting the inevitable demise of the USFL, which occurred one year later.

With an eye toward controlling his own future as a professional, Walker opted to sign on with the United States Football League, utilizing his considerable skills as running back right up until the League disbanded in 1986. The Dallas Cowboys, however, had selected Walker in the draft of 1985, and openly welcomed him to their ranks in 1986.

It’s what you leave behind

When people hear Herschel Walker’s name today, they most often think of his Heisman year and his skills as a runner. However, his off-field victories were just as important in the evolution of the game. In fact, every underclassman that enters the NFL draft early has Herschel Walker to thank for paving the way.

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