53-Year-Old Herschel Walker: I Could Be A Very Good NFL Player Tomorrow
NEW YORK (WFAN) -- Herschel Walker is widely regarded as one of the greatest athletes and fiercest competitors of all time.
A mixed martial artist now, the 53-year-old had a 12-year career in the NFL. And even though he hasn't played football professionally since 1997, he's confident that he could be an asset in the league today.
"I know I could still play if I wanted to play," Walker told WFAN co-hosts Boomer Esiason and Craig Carton on Thursday morning. "I thought about it, but I'm still fighting. I've gotta get out of the fighting first. Once I get out of the MMA stuff, then I may go back and play. I want to be the George Foreman of football."
The 1982 Heisman Trophy winner and College Football Hall of Famer weighed 220 pounds in his playing days. Now? He's at 225.
So if he put on the pads today, would he be a positive presence on the field?
"There is not a doubt in my mind (that) if I played today, I (could) contribute to a team," Walker told Boomer & Carton. "Let me tell you the reason why. Running backs today don't play every play. They only play, like, a couple of plays and they go out of the game ... I can return kickoffs. I still run very well, like I've always (run).
"So I know I can be a positive (addition)."
The former bobsledder and sprinter also revealed that he ran a 4.35 40-yard dash last year, and did so after doing no track work. He simply decided to run, and that was the result.
Despite the confidence he has in himself, the two-time Pro Bowler admitted that he doesn't realistically see himself attempting an NFL comeback -- at least not in the immediate future.
During the revealing and entertaining interview, Walker also discussed -- among many other things -- the dark moments he's lived through, his relationship with his son, Adrian Peterson, his NFL career and life as a businessman.