News
21/09/09 - Former NFL star Herschel Walker signs for Strikeforce
Former NFL star Herschel Walker has signed a multi-fight contract with mixed martial arts promotion Strikeforce.
Walker, a 1982 Heisman Trophy winner and two-time Pro Bowl competitor, will begin a 12-week training camp next month at American Kickboxing Academy (AKA), home to the likes of Josh Koscheck.
Walker holds a fifth-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do and has also trained and Muay Thai and Kenpo for some time.
"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," said Walker, who was recently a contestant on the second hit season of Donald Trump's Celebrity Apprentice reality series on NBC.
"I flew to LA last month to watch Herschel train and was surprised to see his advanced wrestling and striking abilities," said Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker, a martial arts promoter of over 25 years. "He's got work ahead of him, but he's committed to training at one of the most notable gyms in the sport of MMA so it will be very interesting to watch him progress."
Walker was a 1999 College Hall of Fame inductee and also earned a spot in Sports Illustrated's NCAA All-Century Team that year. Walker was drafted in 1985 by The Dallas Cowboys and established himself as a premiere running back in the league.
Now 47 years of age, Walker, a native of Wrightsville, Georgia, will look to conquer a whole new world. It is a challenge he is extremely optimistic about.
"I will go in there and test myself against any 20 year old," said Walker. "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.
“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"
FO Staff
Attachments:
- There are no attachments for this article
