Herschel Walker Signs With Strikeforce

Former Heisman Trophy winner Herschel Walker has signed an agreement with Strikeforce, FanHouse has learned.

The former NFL running back will immediately enter an 8-to-12 week training camp with the American Kickboxing Academy in San Jose, Calif.

Strikeforce director of communications Mike Afromowitz said it's too early to speculate when the 47-year-old will make his debut with the organization but it will probably be sometime in 2010.

"This isn't a publicity stunt or a gimmick," Afromowitz said. "Herschel Walker has tremendous athleticism, and he has always shown that off the gridiron. He's accomplished a lot in his life and in the world of sports. His accomplishments speak for themselves, and we hope that his athleticism can transition into a successful MMA career."

Although Walker is known for his football career, he does have a fifth-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do and competed in the 1992 Winter Olympics in the two-man bobsled, finishing seventh.

In November 2007, Walker announced on HDNet's Inside MMA that he would appear on a MMA reality show with Jose Canseco and other former professional athletes; however, the show never made it past the pre-production stages.

"I've been training for several years. I would play college football games on Saturday and then compete in martial arts tournaments on Sunday after church. I'm now looking forward to opening up another chapter in my life and to competing in MMA," Walker said via press release.

In 1999, the former University of Georgia star was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. An 11-year NFL veteran and two-time Pro Bowl rusher, Walker played for the Dallas Cowboys, Minnesota Vikings, Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants. On Saturday, Walker's name was included on the Pro Football Hall of Fame's preliminary list of nominees for the 2010 induction class.

"I will go in there and test myself against any 20-year-old," Walker said. "I know there will be naysayers and I'm fine with that. I want to prove to people who sit on a couch and don't do anything but criticize other people that, if you're a true athlete or martial artist, you're not old until you can't get up and walk around anymore. MMA fighters are said to be some of the best athletes in the world. My plan at the age of 47 is to show the world I am still one of the best athletes as well."

Afromowitz said Walker will compete as a heavyweight.

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Crossing Over to MMA

NFL legend Herschel Walker signs a deal to become a heavyweight fighter for Strikeforce. Click through to see more professional athletes who have tried to cross over to MMA.

Stephen Dunn, Getty Images

Crossing Over to MMA

NFL legend Herschel Walker signs a deal to become a heavyweight fighter for Strikeforce. Click through to see more professional athletes who have tried to cross over to MMA.

Stephen Dunn, Getty Images

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)

9-21-2009 @ 10:46AM

RJ said...

I understand that Walker is a great athlete, but he's 47.
I hope he doesn't go down like Johnnie Morton.

And how big is he? He doesn't appear to be a big guy and he's going to compete at heavyweight.

9-21-2009 @ 12:12PM

pale said...

your full of crap

9-21-2009 @ 11:00AM

olddutchlofts said...

Real brilliant guy. And a 6th degree, eh? I'd really love to see who signed his degrees and where he took his tests.

9-21-2009 @ 11:05AM

Jim said...

I hope he knows what he doing!!!!!

9-21-2009 @ 11:06AM

sundaymonie said...

maybe he can show you a few moves .. on your face

9-21-2009 @ 11:09AM

tedfio1 said...

I feel bad for Walker. The guy suffers fron a chemical imbalance; I hope he does not actually fight.

9-21-2009 @ 11:17AM

chilly16 said...

This really doesnt help strikeforce's image as the red headed step child. Who is he going to fight @ 47?

9-21-2009 @ 11:15PM

johnnynumber5 said...

Maybe Roy Jones JR? LOL That would actually be pretty awesome.

9-21-2009 @ 11:39AM

Richard said...

He's going to be the George Foreman of MMA. This sounds more of a publicity stunt to help their ratings.

9-21-2009 @ 11:36AM

Captcaptcapt said...

Age is relative.......I am 45 and ask the guys I played football with on Sunday who brought the funk :) while I agree most our age cannot perform at a very high level if you have stayed active and healthy you can compete very well.

9-21-2009 @ 1:58PM

Father Dan said...

We're talking about PROFESSIONAL fighters, not a wrestling match at the picnic. How would your football teammates do against pros? Hell, the LIONS would murder all of you.

9-21-2009 @ 11:45AM

shyatoof88 said...

joke

9-21-2009 @ 12:07PM

bill said...

He must be broke, get a real job you won't make it past 10 seconds of round 1 in your first fight. What a joke!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

9-21-2009 @ 12:10PM

wackenpuss said...

MMA is a shameless circus that try's to pass itself off as a legitimate professional sport.

Kimbo Slice should be in jail for his illegal youtube back yard BS . Brock Lesnor never did anything at a professional level and he jumps in at 30 + years old and is unstoppable, Gina Cheesecake never won a thing but is billed as the Face of women's Mma and on and on, now every washed up former athlete who cant make as a real athlete anymore wants to take a shot. The really sad thing is they can win in the bootleg MMA world. Herschel Walker was an amazing athlete 20 years ago but he couldn't make it in any credible sport today....MMA is so sad.

9-21-2009 @ 12:11PM

iypgary said...

I don't know much about these fighting leagues. I'd just as soon see a 47 year old guy work the TV booth. I hear you olddutch - my suburbs are full of kids with black belts, most of whom can't walk and pick their nose at the same time. BUt I remember hearing about herschel and his karate skills years ago. He was a freakish athlete. Back in the day he was as ripped as anyone in football, and story is he never lifted a weight. Did some crazy number of push & sit ups every day. Also, he ran indoor track where they run the 60 instead of 100, and I think he was the NCAA champ. He was in that first wave of big guys - like 230 - who could just fly. It would have been interesting to see what his pro career might have been if he hadn't played in the old USFL.

9-21-2009 @ 12:13PM

RJ has stupid comments

9-21-2009 @ 12:15PM

Kurt said...

Randy Couture is around the same age as Walker,and can still hold his own...but he's been training all his life in MMA...for somebody to suddenly walk into this sport at his age,after an 8-12 week training camp...i hope thats enough conditioning,but i dont think so...should be interesting

9-21-2009 @ 12:50PM

shane said...

Herschel Walker is a STUD. Herschel Walker isn't your typical athlete. Has anyone seen him lately ? He looks GREAT!!! This is a guy that even with all his body mass was a world class sprinter. He was carrying 30lbs more muscle than the guys he was running against and still dusting them. His speed and power are unrivaled. Just wait I bet he is great

9-21-2009 @ 1:26PM

BRIAN said...

Great news! that means that its not too late for me at 48! But then again talking and doing are two completely different things as Walker will soon find out-first round TKO, KO's are in his future.