Draft Nation Spotlight: Herschel Walker

Almost 30,000 men have played in the NFL, and each know the feeling of what it's like to strap on that helmet and shoulder pads and give it their all on any given Sunday. Their common end goal—to work with 51 teammates and dozens of coaches to march toward winning a Super Bowl title. These men have sacrificed their time, body, and soul to the game of football. A dedication that dates back to youth football at an early age and could be gone in a blink of an eye.

30,000 players. 30,000 stories. All unique in their own right. All different in the era played in, the teams played for and the teammates played with. 

Herschel Walker was a special player. He was a two-time Pro Bowl selection in the NFL, the Heisman Trophy winner and a National Champion in college at the University of Georgia. But his path to the NFL and the Dallas Cowboys, among other teams, is a unique story. 

Draft Nation caught up with the Heisman Trophy winner earlier this week. 

"It was totally different. I played three years of pro ball in the USFL and was excited when Dallas drafted me." 

Walker put up video game type numbers in three seasons with the New Jersey Generals. In three seasons, the 6’1” running back dominated opposing defenses. He accumulated 5,562 yards rushing, 61 total touchdowns and a baffling 4.9 yards per rush in his USFL days. He was a man amongst boys playing in the startup league.

"My brothers were Cowboys fans growing up. I had the opportunity to go play with Tony Dorsett, Ed “Too Tall” Jones and to play under Coach Landry, it was like a dream come true."

The Dallas Cowboys acquired the rights to Walker by drafting him in the 5th round with the 114th overall selection in 1986. 

"Dallas has always held a special place in my heart, and I'm always a Cowboy," Walker told Draft Nation in downtown Indianapolis after a meetup during Kyle and Richard Petty of NASCAR fame's charity motorcycle ride. 

Walker played thirteen seasons as a running back in the NFL, a mark unheard of in today's age of football. During that stretch, he found the endzone 112 times and rushed for over 8,000 yards, including two seasons of over 1,000 rushing yards. 

Nowadays, Walker spends his time on his motorcycle and raising money for the military and police departments. He says he doesn't watch that much football but is always excited to watch the Cowboys play, especially on prime time. He resides in Georgia.