Herschel Walker eyes NFL return (1 Viewer)

[Raider Nation]

A quick glance at Herschel Walker's body of work -- heck, just his body -- suggests it's foolish to set restrictions on the athletic aspirations of the former NFL star and Olympian.But at age 48, even as he competes as a professional mixed martial artist, is Walker to be taken seriously when he says he's considering a return to professional football?"I've told everyone that at 50 I might try football again to show people I can do that," Walker said on Monday during a conference call to promote his upcoming fight. "I want to be the George Foreman of football, come back and do that one more time."Walker, a former Heisman Trophy winner and Pro Bowl running back, has two destinations he says he would consider for a possible NFL comeback."The two teams I would come back to play for are Minnesota or Atlanta," Walker said. "It would probably be Atlanta because that's home for me."I'm a Georgia boy. That's just home."Born in Wrightsville, Ga., Walker was a running back at the University of Georgia from 1980-1982. After winning the Heisman Trophy in his junior season, he left school to play professionally in the United States Football League. Three years later, he signed with the Dallas Cowboys.These days, Walker is a heavyweight mixed martial artist who competes in Strikeforce. Walker stopped Greg Nagy in the third round on Jan. 30, 2010, in his MMA debut.He will make his second MMA appearance on Saturday in San Jose, Calif., against Scott Carson (4-1-0). That fight will air on Showtime at 10 p.m. ET.Walker credits his physical conditioning with influencing his decision to possibly return to the NFL."I'm a much better-conditioned athlete now than when I was playing football," Walker said. "I'm 48 and in better shape now than I was when I was in my early 20s, playing football."

Exploit or avoid?

 

[Raider Nation]

Linkaroo

 

[thatguy]

Bad idea. I doubt any team would even take him seriously.

 

[Sabertooth]

A team might do it to sell tickets.

 

[Raider Nation]

Bad idea. I doubt any team would even take him seriously.

With a full training camp - assuming he still has anything close to the speed he used to - I'd take Herschel as ADP's backup over Toby Gerhart.If it's all a big joke, the team will know it immediately.

 

[todisco1]

This must be either a publicity stunt or mild insanity.

 

[Raider Nation]

Jim Brown thought seriously about playing for the Raiders at age 47 in 1983.

You wouldn't see me betting against him.

 

[12punch]

al davis would offer him a deal.

 

[Premier]

Have you guys seen him? It's almost cartoonish how he looks.

 

[Raider Nation]

Have you guys seen him? It's almost cartoonish how he looks.

http://mattfaler.files.wordpress.com/2010/...chel-walker.jpgTotal legend. But being in the best shape of his life doesn't mean he still has speed.

 

[thatguy]

Have you guys seen him? It's almost cartoonish how he looks.

http://mattfaler.files.wordpress.com/2010/...chel-walker.jpgTotal legend. But being in the best shape of his life doesn't mean he still has speed.

Dude does look good...

 

[Da Guru]

Have you guys seen him? It's almost cartoonish how he looks.

http://mattfaler.files.wordpress.com/2010/...chel-walker.jpgTotal legend. But being in the best shape of his life doesn't mean he still has speed.

Short yardage and goal line work???

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

Google the MMA fight. He doesn't look good, he looks ridiculously good. Not cartoonish at all IMO - just fitter than most guys half his age.

I didn't pay much attention to football for a number of years and missed Walker. But just dug up his numbers and the guy was a pass catching monster. Had no idea: 512-4859-21 for his career.

Basically he was as almost as effective as Wes Welker (528-5657-23), plus a really good RB on top of it.

 

[Jayrok]

Google the MMA fight. He doesn't look good, he looks ridiculously good. Not cartoonish at all IMO - just fitter than most guys half his age.I didn't pay much attention to football for a number of years and missed Walker. But just dug up his numbers and the guy was a pass catching monster. Had no idea: 512-4859-21 for his career.Basically he was as almost as effective as Wes Welker (528-5657-23), plus a really good RB on top of it.

Does that include his stats from his USFL years?

 

[Mr. Retukes]

Maybe if he was 10 years younger.

 

[The Kerminator]

A quick glance at Herschel Walker's body of work -- heck, just his body -- suggests it's foolish to set restrictions on the athletic aspirations of the former NFL star and Olympian.

But at age 48, even as he competes as a professional mixed martial artist, is Walker to be taken seriously when he says he's considering a return to professional football?

"I've told everyone that at 50 I might try football again to show people I can do that," Walker said on Monday during a conference call to promote his upcoming fight. "I want to be the George Foreman of football, come back and do that one more time."

Walker, a former Heisman Trophy winner and Pro Bowl running back, has two destinations he says he would consider for a possible NFL comeback.

"The two teams I would come back to play for are Minnesota or Atlanta," Walker said. "It would probably be Atlanta because that's home for me.

"I'm a Georgia boy. That's just home."

Born in Wrightsville, Ga., Walker was a running back at the University of Georgia from 1980-1982. After winning the Heisman Trophy in his junior season, he left school to play professionally in the United States Football League. Three years later, he signed with the Dallas Cowboys.

These days, Walker is a heavyweight mixed martial artist who competes in Strikeforce. Walker stopped Greg Nagy in the third round on Jan. 30, 2010, in his MMA debut.

He will make his second MMA appearance on Saturday in San Jose, Calif., against Scott Carson (4-1-0). That fight will air on Showtime at 10 p.m. ET.

Walker credits his physical conditioning with influencing his decision to possibly return to the NFL.

"I'm a much better-conditioned athlete now than when I was playing football," Walker said. "I'm 48 and in better shape now than I was when I was in my early 20s, playing football."

Exploit or avoid?

So does Minnesota still own his rights or would they have to trade 3 1sts and 3 2nds for him?

 

[Raider Nation]

Check out his last three seasons in the league.

He was a return man primarily, and a FB the last year. 47 total rushing attempts in 48 games.

He didn't exactly walk away when he was on top, like Jim Brown and Barry Sanders. Then again, he never said he wanted to come back as a RB!

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

Google the MMA fight. He doesn't look good, he looks ridiculously good. Not cartoonish at all IMO - just fitter than most guys half his age.I didn't pay much attention to football for a number of years and missed Walker. But just dug up his numbers and the guy was a pass catching monster. Had no idea: 512-4859-21 for his career.Basically he was as almost as effective as Wes Welker (528-5657-23), plus a really good RB on top of it.

Does that include his stats from his USFL years?

No, just the NFL.

 

[del mar]

Assuming that next year involves a lockout of the regular players, Walker could perhaps be a viable NFL player. Against any team's regular defense he would be likely to get killed. No hyperbole - I mean seriously maimed, crippled, or turned into a vegetable.

 

[gregjcross]

Google the MMA fight. He doesn't look good, he looks ridiculously good. Not cartoonish at all IMO - just fitter than most guys half his age.I didn't pay much attention to football for a number of years and missed Walker. But just dug up his numbers and the guy was a pass catching monster. Had no idea: 512-4859-21 for his career.Basically he was as almost as effective as Wes Welker (528-5657-23), plus a really good RB on top of it.

A younger version of myself would have laughed this off. HE is very likely good enough to be a back up if he hasnt had any major joint injuries, even at 48. Is it crazy; yeah. Are there many very many guys with Hershell Walker' DNA out there, nope.

 

[the moops]

Against any team's regular defense he would be likely to get killed. No hyperbole - I mean seriously maimed, crippled, or turned into a vegetable.

Please. The guy may not have the speed to be an offensive player, but he is probably stronger than he was 20 years ago.

 

[Football Critic]

Age has nothing to do with it, its about ability.

You knew eventually this would happen, a player returning at a much older age.

I personally don't doubt anyone who has done it before, that if they are in shape, that they cant do it again. Why are most suggesting that he would be a starting RB anyways? Maybe he can be a FB, or a backup....maybe a TE. But we don't know yet, I would love to see this howeveer.

Thats my opinion.

 

[pghrob]

It really would be a publicity bonanza.

 

[Football Critic]

It really would be a publicity bonanza.

So much so, that Brett Favre would have to make a comeback, as Hershal would deflect from any media attention devoted to Brett cutting his grass.

 

[Big_Russel]

HGH is a wonderful drug. I wish it were cheaper and more readily available.

 

[Kirby]

HGH is a wonderful drug. I wish it were cheaper and more readily available.

 

[FavreCo]

It really would be a publicity bonanza.

So much so, that Brett Favre would have to make a comeback, as Hershal would deflect from any media attention devoted to Brett cutting his grass.

Expect Favre to comeback at 47 or so if Manning passes his records and some team is looking for fans to fill seats.

 

[qimqam]

He wasn't that good in his 20's and 30's but who knows maybe he is no longer afraid to get hit.

 

[shader]

A quick glance at Herschel Walker's body of work -- heck, just his body -- suggests it's foolish to set restrictions on the athletic aspirations of the former NFL star and Olympian.

But at age 48, even as he competes as a professional mixed martial artist, is Walker to be taken seriously when he says he's considering a return to professional football?

"I've told everyone that at 50 I might try football again to show people I can do that," Walker said on Monday during a conference call to promote his upcoming fight. "I want to be the George Foreman of football, come back and do that one more time."

Walker, a former Heisman Trophy winner and Pro Bowl running back, has two destinations he says he would consider for a possible NFL comeback.

"The two teams I would come back to play for are Minnesota or Atlanta," Walker said. "It would probably be Atlanta because that's home for me.

"I'm a Georgia boy. That's just home."

Born in Wrightsville, Ga., Walker was a running back at the University of Georgia from 1980-1982. After winning the Heisman Trophy in his junior season, he left school to play professionally in the United States Football League. Three years later, he signed with the Dallas Cowboys.

These days, Walker is a heavyweight mixed martial artist who competes in Strikeforce. Walker stopped Greg Nagy in the third round on Jan. 30, 2010, in his MMA debut.

He will make his second MMA appearance on Saturday in San Jose, Calif., against Scott Carson (4-1-0). That fight will air on Showtime at 10 p.m. ET.

Walker credits his physical conditioning with influencing his decision to possibly return to the NFL.

"I'm a much better-conditioned athlete now than when I was playing footballThe drugs are WAY better now than they were in the 80's," Walker said. "I'm 48 and in better shape now than I was when I was in my early 20s, playing football."

Exploit or avoid?

 

[two_dollars]

HGH is a wonderful drug. I wish it were cheaper and more readily available.

 

[spodog]

Blanda was still playing QB at age 43 and was kicking 40+ yard FG's until almost age 49, and he wasn't even close to looking like Walker.

 

[Bri]

RN's with a full training camp is a good point. We'd know more then.

I'm not sure I've ever seen a former player look like that so I'm not going to bet against him. I still remember an article (SI?) where he said he did some ridiculous number of pushups and situps a day because he didn't have weights. There was a pic and ...it's still unbelievable.

 

[massraider]

I will take all bets that this guy, or any guy, at that age cannot accomplish anything significant at RB in the NFL.

Anyone here over the age of 30? Remember how different it was when you were 21, 22? How easily you bounced back after a night of drinking?

Now think about how easy it is to tweak stuff. Weird, little injuries, barely worth mentioning, but there.

Basketball players here over the age of 30, 35? Seriously, how different is your body reacting to the game? How much easier is it to re-sprain that ankle, and get a twinge in that hammy again?

I don't care how many abs he has, his back, joints, hamstrings, tendons, and skull are all 48 years old. He would look like an old man at the end of training camp, let alone the regular season.

 

[thatguy]

I will take all bets that this guy, or any guy, at that age cannot accomplish anything significant at RB in the NFL. Anyone here over the age of 30? Remember how different it was when you were 21, 22? How easily you bounced back after a night of drinking? Now think about how easy it is to tweak stuff. Weird, little injuries, barely worth mentioning, but there. Basketball players here over the age of 30, 35? Seriously, how different is your body reacting to the game? How much easier is it to re-sprain that ankle, and get a twinge in that hammy again?I don't care how many abs he has, his back, joints, hamstrings, tendons, and skull are all 48 years old. He would look like an old man at the end of training camp, let alone the regular season.

I agree.

 

[Buck Bradcanon]

I know a lot of the cool people hate Jim Rome, but I cant wait to hear his take on this.

 

[Native]

HGH is a wonderful drug. I wish it were cheaper and more readily available.

I could be WAAAAAY off base here, but I dont think Walker is doping. He wakes up 5:00 every morning and does 2000 situps and 1500 pushups. He eats once a day (at dinner) where he devours a piece of bread and a salad. Sometimes he goes days without eating. His body is a machine.Of course its difficult to justify how he looks the way he does but this guy is an entirely different realm of athlete than anyone else.

 

[Jerry Lawler]

HGH is a wonderful drug. I wish it were cheaper and more readily available.

I could be WAAAAAY off base here, but I dont think Walker is doping. He wakes up 5:00 every morning and does 2000 situps and 1500 pushups. He eats once a day (at dinner) where he devours a piece of bread and a salad. Sometimes he goes days without eating. His body is a machine.Of course its difficult to justify how he looks the way he does but this guy is an entirely different realm of athlete than anyone else.

I think we can all agree that a bodybuilder needs more than a piece of bread and a salad to reach optimal fitness. Even with HGH and a position change to FB, I would be shocked to see him make an NFL roster.

 

[Warhogs]

IF this would happen and it is a big IF. At best I could see a team allowing him to come to training camp and maybe stick him in a preseason game to draw some fan interest. That would be about it. I also think the chance of that even happening is almost zero.

 

[Football Critic]

I know a lot of the cool people hate Jim Rome, but I cant wait to hear his take on this.

Lots of people hate the truth, so I understand why people hate Rome.He's not a fake sports reporter, its why I like him.

 

[Carolina Hustler]

HGH is a wonderful drug. I wish it were cheaper and more readily available.

I could be WAAAAAY off base here, but I dont think Walker is doping. He wakes up 5:00 every morning and does 2000 situps and 1500 pushups. He eats once a day (at dinner) where he devours a piece of bread and a salad. Sometimes he goes days without eating. His body is a machine.

Of course its difficult to justify how he looks the way he does but this guy is an entirely different realm of athlete than anyone else.

You can't look like that and not eat... Sorry, I'm calling BS...

 

[Sheriff66]

HGH is a wonderful drug. I wish it were cheaper and more readily available.

I could be WAAAAAY off base here, but I dont think Walker is doping. He wakes up 5:00 every morning and does 2000 situps and 1500 pushups. He eats once a day (at dinner) where he devours a piece of bread and a salad. Sometimes he goes days without eating. His body is a machine.

Of course its difficult to justify how he looks the way he does but this guy is an entirely different realm of athlete than anyone else.

You can't look like that and not eat... Sorry, I'm calling BS...

 

[Boone22]

HGH is a wonderful drug. I wish it were cheaper and more readily available.

I could be WAAAAAY off base here, but I dont think Walker is doping. He wakes up 5:00 every morning and does 2000 situps and 1500 pushups. He eats once a day (at dinner) where he devours a piece of bread and a salad. Sometimes he goes days without eating. His body is a machine.Of course its difficult to justify how he looks the way he does but this guy is an entirely different realm of athlete than anyone else.

I heard from my next door neighbor's sister's cousin that he once fought Chuck Norris to a stand-still.

 

[LHUCKS]

 

[JHuber77]

what's so funny about it? I'm sure he could start for any team in the PAC10 or 12 or whatever its called these days

 

[mquinnjr]

Are we talking pre-season or (potential) 18 game regular season projections? I mean seriously, I don't see his knees and body handling the rigors of day to day and gameday. His recovery time week to week would be horrendous, even if he could get out there and keep up in Week 1.

 

[AB in DC]

Exploit or avoid?

I'd take him in the third round...of a UFL draft...

 

[Smack Tripper]

wasn't there a story about this guy being legitimately schitzo?

 

[shader]

HGH is a wonderful drug. I wish it were cheaper and more readily available.

I could be WAAAAAY off base here, but I dont think Walker is doping. He wakes up 5:00 every morning and does 2000 situps and 1500 pushups. He eats once a day (at dinner) where he devours a piece of bread and a salad. Sometimes he goes days without eating. His body is a machine.Of course its difficult to justify how he looks the way he does but this guy is an entirely different realm of athlete than anyone else.

You are way off base.Muscles require protein. Bread and salad don't have protein. Unless of course there is chicken in the salad. Still you'd need more than one chicken salad a day to look like that.

 

[Sheriff66]

wasn't there a story about this guy being legitimately schitzo?

Multiple personalities

 

[Chest Rockwell]

wasn't there a story about this guy being legitimately schitzo?

Dissociative identity disorder ie. multiple personalities

"People have to shift themselves and their personalities in so many different areas to be successful," he said. "You don't want Herschel Walker the football player, babysitting your kids. - Herschel Walker

Perhaps Herschel Walker - The Babysitter is the guy who played in Minnesota. And now that they have been diagnosed and presumably under control, I think the psychological issues are a huge boon going forward with the comeback attempt.

:tardstrength: