Mr. IWS
09-21-2009, 12:15 PM
This could be Johnny Morton all over again.
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 sixth-degree black belt in taekwondo 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.
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.
Afromowitz said Walker will compete as a heavyweight.
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 sixth-degree black belt in taekwondo 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.
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.
Afromowitz said Walker will compete as a heavyweight.