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.
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.
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