Herschel Walker

Herschel Walker used to tell friends at the University of Georgia that he aspired to be considered one of the greatest athletes in history. "And not just in football," Walker recalled this week. Since running the Bulldogs to the 1980 national championship and winning the Heisman Trophy in 1982, Walker rushed for more than 13,000 yards in the USFL and NFL, then retired in 1997 with the second-most all-purpose yards in NFL history. During his pro football career, he also earned a spot on the 1992 Olympic two-man bobsled team, and won television's "Superstars" event three times.

Herschel Walker used to tell friends at the University of Georgia that he aspired to be considered one of the greatest athletes in history. "And not just in football," Walker recalled this week. Since running the Bulldogs to the 1980 national championship and winning the Heisman Trophy in 1982, Walker rushed for more than 13,000 yards in the USFL and NFL, then retired in 1997 with the second-most all-purpose yards in NFL history. During his pro football career, he also earned a spot on the 1992 Olympic two-man bobsled team, and won television's "Superstars" event three times.

Minnesota Vikings running back Herschel Walker got his first taste of riding down a bobsled run today. Walker and driver Brian Shimer covered the 1,430-meter Olympic bobsled course at Lake Placid, N.Y., in 1, 2.03 seconds, about five or six seconds off what is considered a good run. Walker said he wasn't out to break any records, but rather to get experience. "It felt good," Walker said after his inaugural run, held in subzero temperatures. "It doesn't compare to anything I've ever done before."

Their 100-yard rushing games in college: * Herschel Walker: 28 games rushing for 100 yards * Marcus Allen: 20 games * Mike Rozier: 26 games * Lorenzo White: 23 games * Eric Dickerson: 27 games * Earl Campbell: 20 games * Bo Jackson: 21 games * Tony Dorsett: 36 games (including 20 in a row) * Source: World Features Syndicate

The Philadelphia Eagles signed free agent running back Herschel Walker to a two-year contract Monday. Walker was released this spring by the Minnesota Vikings, who got him from the Dallas Cowboys for five players and eight draft choices in 1989. Minnesota cut Walker, 30, earlier this month rather than re-sign him for his 1991 salary of $1.7 million. "I think the Eagles can get to the Super Bowl, and I want to be a part of it," Walker said.

Expensively attired in a double-breasted gray sports jacket, black slacks, white shirt and silk tie, Herschel Walker stood in the middle of the visitors' locker room Monday night at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia and tried to make sense of his great fall from grace. But his flawless appearance belied the confusion he felt inside. At first, Walker denied he was shaken by the poorest performance of his career, but then, he changed his mind. "I did feel shaken," Walker said.

To lure him northward, the Minnesota Vikings gave Herschel Walker a mansion, lots of money and every assurance that the endorsement conglomerate he built in Dallas would play just as well on television sets and billboards across the frozen tundra. Thirteen weeks later, it appears there was one significant omission. The football is one creature comfort Walker is learning to live without. "I think everybody is probably surprised," 49er linebacker Mike Walter said.

The Dallas Cowboys rarely hold formal press conferences at their preseason training camp at Cal Lutheran University. They hardly ever hold press conferences anywhere for unsigned players. They never hold press conferences for fifth-round draft choices. They did all of the above here Tuesday. But then, there has never been a fifth-round draft choice quite like running back Herschel Walker. Some running back! Arms like a blacksmith, legs like a weightlifter, smile like a choir boy.

Monday night's victory by the New York Giants over the Washington Redskins marked the end of the first half season of play in the National Football League. So who stood out in that first half? Some nominations: --Most valuable player: Herschel Walker, Dallas Cowboys. He accomplished the most for his team, contributing both athletically and as a morale booster. He lifted the formerly troubled Cowboys by gaining 483 yards rushing, 405 receiving.

On a pleasant, fall afternoon in Dallas last month, as the Cowboys worked on their pass offense, it was a simple matter to spot Herschel Walker. He was the one wearing gloves. Gloves in October? Is this guy some kind of hypochondriac? You can be sure he isn't. His explanation was that of a man whose job is the biggest part of his life. "It's harder to catch passes with gloves on," Walker said. "So I do it to improve my concentration."

It was the kind of performance Minnesota fans were expecting from the running back in the Vikings' one-back attack. Only the running back was supposed to be Herschel Walker. But Walker is gone--and darn near forgotten--thanks to Terry Allen, a ninth-round pick who was the 34th running back taken in the 1990 draft. Allen didn't play during his rookie year because of a knee injury and gained 563 yards in part-time duty last year.

Before Monday night's game against Dallas, Herschel Walker dodged questions about his desire for revenge against the Cowboys for trading him. Then he went out and dodged the Cowboys, scoring touchdowns on runs of nine and 16 yards and rushing for 86 yards in 19 carries as he and the Philadelphia defense combined to beat Dallas, 31-7, in a game between the NFC's last two unbeaten teams.

The Philadelphia Eagles signed free agent running back Herschel Walker to a two-year contract Monday. Walker was released this spring by the Minnesota Vikings, who got him from the Dallas Cowboys for five players and eight draft choices in 1989. Minnesota cut Walker, 30, earlier this month rather than re-sign him for his 1991 salary of $1.7 million. "I think the Eagles can get to the Super Bowl, and I want to be a part of it," Walker said.

The Minnesota Vikings' Herschel Walker era has ended. Unable to win the Super Bowl--or even a playoff game--since giving the Dallas Cowboys five players and eight draft choices for Walker in October 1989, the Vikings cut the unhappy running back Friday, rather than re-sign him for his 1991 salary of $1.7 million. This is what the Vikings have to show for the megadeal: third-string tight end Mike Jones and fifth-string receiver Jake Reed.

Dealing with the pressing issues of the day . . . Bert Blyleven, The Sequel: Are we merely standing in line for "Fernando II"? The first impressions are familiar. Aging once-great pitcher, abandoned by once-resilient pitching arm, inactive for months on end, is rushed into Angel rotation to replace struggling young right-hander as the club's No. 5 starter.

Eric Dickerson and Herschel Walker, two former standout NFL running backs who have lost their direction, are seeking final refuge with the Raiders. Agents for Dickerson, of the Indianapolis Colts, and Walker, of the Minnesota Vikings, have contacted the Raiders about possibly working out a trade, sources confirmed. The Vikings have contacted the Raiders directly about a possible trade involving Walker.

Herschel Walker rose from yet another interview and gingerly made his way across the room to his locker at Giants Stadium. He was walking slowly and carefully, as one does when there's broken glass on the kitchen floor. It was the morning after a night game, and Walker's knees were sore. Those knees are reminders that Walker really isn't a kid anymore. They are reminders of all the years and yards, all the touchdowns.

It was the kind of performance Minnesota fans were expecting from the running back in the Vikings' one-back attack. Only the running back was supposed to be Herschel Walker. But Walker is gone--and darn near forgotten--thanks to Terry Allen, a ninth-round pick who was the 34th running back taken in the 1990 draft. Allen didn't play during his rookie year because of a knee injury and gained 563 yards in part-time duty last year.

Herschel Walker, a native of Wrightsville, Ga., says he would like to play for the Atlanta Falcons. "I would love to come home," Walker told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "The people in the South are my people. People from Georgia, no matter what's ever happened, they've held me up. To play in Atlanta, that would be great for me. I'd absolutely love it." Talks between the Falcons and Vikings have been going on sporadically since January.