Herschel Walker signs with Strikeforce

**burton2019** · September 21st, 2009, 11:29 AM

Former NCAA and NFL great Herschel Walker has signed a multi-fight deal with Strikeforce.

The signing was first reported by AOL FanHouse, which confirmed the deal with Strikeforce executive Mike Afromowitz.

No debut date has been set for the 47-year-old former Heisman Trophy winner and two-time Pro Bowl running back, who's never competed professionally in mixed martial arts.

**MikeJones** · September 21st, 2009, 12:05 PM

LOL thats funny, 50 seems a lil late to be getting into fighting.

**CoeburnCane** · September 21st, 2009, 12:23 PM

Originally Posted by MikeJones

LOL thats funny, 50 seems a lil late to be getting into fighting.

True, but with the things I've seen Walker do in football, I wouldn't be surprised if what athleticism he has left doesn't translate well into the world of MMA.

I don't think he'll ever be a champion, but I don't think he'll walk in there and have his arse handed to him.

**burton2019** · September 21st, 2009, 01:38 PM

He has a decent wrestling game and more than likely, very good cardio. I know he's been training MMA for awhile now.

**MikeJones** · September 21st, 2009, 01:47 PM

Not sure if he has any fights so far. But to go to Strikforce right off the bat seems liek trouble.

**Biggin** · September 21st, 2009, 02:40 PM

haha hell yes!

I want to see the greatest natural running back ever come in and kick some ass.

He has been training karate and others for at least 20 years now, when he was still playing I remember him talking about his martial arts training.

He may not win a lot, but he will not be a freak show

**burton2019** · September 21st, 2009, 04:37 PM

Herschel Walker, the Heisman Trophy-winning running back and former NFL player with the Minnesota Vikings and Dallas Cowboys, has found a new career: mixed martial arts. The 47-year-old Walker has signed a contract with Strikeforce to fight at an unspecified date. He will begin training with American Kickboxing Academy, the high-profile camp in San Jose, Calif., that trains UFC standouts Josh Koscheck, Mike Swick, Jon Fitch, Cain Velasquez and Strikeforce lightweight champion Josh Thomson.
"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 in a news release.
Walker is not the first high-profile athlete to make the jump to MMA. In the current season of "The Ultimate Fighter," four former NFL players are trying for a chance at a contract with the UFC, most notably Marcus Jones, who played with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for seven years. Cleveland Cavaliers star Shaquille O'Neal has trained in mixed martial arts for years, and made jokes about challenging former UFC champ Chuck Liddell.
That doesn't mean that the road to MMA success will be easy for Walker, who retired from football in 1997. During last week's episode of "The Ultimate Fighter," Jones became sick from the intense workouts that MMA requires. Afterwards, he noted that he never had to work that hard in the NFL.
Walker will also have the obstacle of age in front of him. Though there are fighters who compete well into their forties -- most notably Randy Couture, who is 46 -- but those fighters did not spend much of their lives being tackled by 265 pound linebackers. The wear and tear on a running back should not be dismissed when looking at Walker's chances.
At the same time, it will be hard not to root for him. He's been an MMA fan for years, and was even at UFC 103 this past weekend in Dallas. Walker is a modern-day Jim Thorpe, having competed in the Olympic bobsled, professional football and now MMA. Now, he will test the bounds of his age and health again in MMA. Seeing a 47-year-old man walk the walk in this manner is downright inspirational.

**MikeJones** · September 23rd, 2009, 09:45 PM

I hope he gets his teeth knocked back through his *******. I like him as a person. This isnt the day off being a good athlete or street fighter carry you to succes. Him thnking he has a spot with the best is rediculous. This is absurd. Im sure alot seen Brock Cross over and think they could do it to. But Brock is a gifted athlete that has been training in a Martial art along time.

**steer** · September 23rd, 2009, 10:39 PM

Like the previous post(s).. Walker has been training for a while. Is it a little late to get in and compete, probably so... but you only live once.. more power to him

**MikeJones** · September 23rd, 2009, 11:10 PM

Steer what fighter did he knock out of being on a strikeforce card? Just to live his dreams? He still thinks MMA is a sport anyone can hop in. Its not that way anymore. I hope he picks up his dreams out of a fence. That still show Pro's in other sports that dont think mma folks are legit.