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Home > Terence Moore > Archives > 2008 > April > 18 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USDarren Woodson surprised by Herschel’s mental issues
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Now it makes sense.
Or does it?
Who knows what to believe anymore when Herschel Walker’s tongue is flapping, and you’re listening?
If nothing else, everybody has to ask themselves the following when it comes to their past dealings with this University of Georgia legend: So was that the real Herschel speaking, or was it one of the two, seven, 12 or how many other Herschels that supposedly existed through the decades, according to “Breaking Free,” the recently published book written by either one or several of those Herschels?
I’m wondering as much as anybody, especially after a bizarre conversation I had with Walker last autumn that I eventually wrote about. One moment, we were discussing Knowshon Moreno’s dramatic rise to become the 21st century version at Georgia of Garrison Hearst, Rodney Hampton, Tim Worley and the aforementioned “He’s running over people!” guy from Wrightsville. The next, Walker was sprinting out of nowhere to mention how he wished to knock the arrogance and everything else out of Steve Spurrier in a boxing match.
Where did that come from?
At first, I thought Walker was kidding, because this didn’t make sense. We weren’t talking about Spurrier, the South Carolina football coach, who is years removed as Georgia’s Darth Vader with the Mighty Gators. Even so, Walker wouldn’t let this Spurrier thing drop. That’s because Walker wasn’t kidding, and it didn’t matter that the physically imposing former college and NFL star was 45 to Spurrier’s 62. Walker just kept steaming and ripping Spurrier for taking his old school to task a few weeks earlier over the Bulldogs’ juvenile moment in the last Georgia-Florida game.
That moment came after Georgia scored the game’s first touchdown, and coach Mark Richt watched all of his Bulldogs follow orders by rushing into the end zone to celebrate the moment. Spurrier said later that he would have countered Richt’s move by sending one of Florida’s third-stringers into the Dog pile to pick a fight and force the SEC to suspend a slew of prominent Georgia players.
“Well, you know, is that not insulting? That’s totally insulting for a coach of [Spurrier’s] stature to say something so stupid,” said Walker, the disgust in his voice becoming more pronounced by the millisecond. “So my question I say to him is, if he’s got that much guts, why don’t he step in a ring against me? You don’t say something that silly, because you’re going to get somebody hurt. Georgia was punished, because that’s a penalty. They didn’t go out to hurt anyone. He talks about hurting somebody. How much guts do you have? Step in a ring with me, and we’ll see.”
This was one of those other Herschels speaking.
It had to be.
Given the real Herschel’s historically peaceful spirit and strong spiritual leanings, the only person that the real Herschel would challenge to a fight would be Satan, at least according to most.
“You know what? This just blows me away, because I never in my wildest dreams would have thought something mentally was going on with Herschel Walker, of all people,” said Darren Woodson, the perennial Pro Bowl safety who played two seasons with Walker for the Dallas Cowboys in the mid-1990s. Woodson added over the phone on Friday from his home in Dallas, “He was always in the same mood, in the same place when he came out of the locker room. He was a big guy, a gentle guy. He talked to everyone. He was a regular at Bible study.
“I can tell you this: I played with [defensive lineman] Alonzo Spellman who you just knew was bipolar, but there was not one person in that locker room who would say they saw any sign whatsoever that Herschel was sick.”
So what’s going on here? Woodson paused, sighed and then said, “To sell books? I don’t know.”
I don’t know, either.
Permalink | Comments (33) | Categories: UGA/SEC
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By biggerthanbigdawg
April 18, 2008 8:13 PM | Link to this
Not first! I hope..Terrance you probably are right and I hate to say that because I enjoy disagreeing with you. But Herschel has always seemed disjointed from society. He went from this small town wonder to a national hero to a icon of a forgotten league (USFL). Then he was known as the catalyst for the rise of “America’s Team” via trade. His whole career in pro football is a Jekyll and Hyde type of career. I hate to say someone peaked at 18 years old but it seems he did when Larry told all who was listening that “My God he is just a freshman!as he ran over Bill Bates.
By Tom Trojan
April 18, 2008 8:48 PM | Link to this
Walker was a great football player! I recall his feats on the gridiron, but I do not care what he does or says now! We at USC have our ‘Weird’ too, if you recall!
By Observer
April 18, 2008 8:49 PM | Link to this
A sad situation either way…whether the man is faking to sell books, or is truly not right in the head.
By DawgNLville
April 18, 2008 9:07 PM | Link to this
Moore…. you’re the equivalent of one of those cheap mortgage companies, out for the quick sell. You had a decent article going there with good insight into the mind of one of Georgia’s most celebrated and mysterious athletes. Then you hint that it is all just to sell books? You’re a hack, a sham and I’m ashamed of myself everytime I read something with your mugshot at the top.
DnL
By 3 Rivers jacket
April 18, 2008 10:00 PM | Link to this
somehow I do not believe the ffliction that Hershel has is real. I am a fan of Hershel and think he is a great guy but surely someone would have seen this behavior in a litle over 35 years in the public eye. Could Herschel just have a little depression and some over wrought analyst has decided it is whatever and Herschel bought into it. Much like some child who was never abused is coached by an analyst and the next thing you know they are haluing someone off to jail. Just wondering. Regardless I wish HW the best.
By FLA DAWG
April 18, 2008 10:07 PM | Link to this
BOYCOTT MOORE - DO NOT BLOG HERE !!
BOYCOTT MOORE - DO NOT BLOG HERE !!
BOYCOTT MOORE - DO NOT BLOG HERE !!
BOYCOTT MOORE - DO NOT BLOG HERE !!
BOYCOTT MOORE - DO NOT BLOG HERE !!
By JD
April 18, 2008 10:13 PM | Link to this
I’m not sure sure this is just to sell books. Walker could have written about his years at UGA and gotten all the sales her could handle from the Dawg faithful.
By G'Vegas Dawg
April 19, 2008 12:20 AM | Link to this
First!!! I am not sure what to make of the latest retarded rambling by TM. If HW was sooooo insane at the time that you interviwed him, why did you make a national event out of his coments about SS? You should have known, as smart as you are, that he wasn’t right. After all you are the man that sits by Jim Rome’s side and blasts other retarded ramblings on ESPN……
By Kyle
April 19, 2008 12:49 AM | Link to this
Obviously you know nothing about mental illness. You can not nor ever will. You can join my brothers, a dentist, a V.P. in Atl and every one else who has “Their World” figured out. I hope you enjoy the Popes visit. There is confession.
By yelladawg
April 19, 2008 1:30 AM | Link to this
I remember your writing about Walker’s comments about taking on Spurrier and thought they were strange to say the least and at the most an aging person’s grasp at youthful boasts. In the context of his book with the displays of anger and threats to his wife and the Russian roulette experiences, you may have been one of the few outside of those close to him who saw one of his other characters. The mind and its chemistry is a fresh and challenging frontier. I wish the best for Herschel. He certainly gave us Dawgs his best.
By buzz29
April 19, 2008 3:52 AM | Link to this
I bet the doggies are trying to find a loop hole that would allow them to give Hershey’s other personalities a scholorship. THWG
By dean
April 19, 2008 5:13 AM | Link to this
Pure trash from Terrence! Hope your proud of yourself. Insinuating that someone is out for profit (like Herschel needs that) when they come out in public and say they have a mental disorder. Yur articles are usually poor but this is low even by your standards.
By Larry
April 19, 2008 6:24 AM | Link to this
I know!
First, and I admire Herschel’s career as much as anyone, the man is just country dumb! I’ve listen to Herschel slaughter the English Language for decades now and anyone out there who thinks he’s an author and a poet is, well, also a member of the double-digit IQ fraternity!
Second, this DID nonsense is just that—NONSENSE! Herschel has the same issue that so many former dumb, illiterate, attention getting athletes have and that is LOA—Lack of Attention! Happens to a lot of these guys like another, dummy (though not nearly as polite and gentle), Deion Sanders, who, like Herschel, got depressed and “suicidal” after his playing career because he no longer was getting the screams of thousands of fans and the attention of idol worshipers since high school and was suddenly a “former” star.
Just goes to show you that one must find the real value on one’s self in the mind and spirit, not in you athleticism and for people like Herschel, Deion, MeAngelo Hall, Mike Vick, and nearly all of the NBA this will be a challenge as they can only rely on the spirit with such limited cognitive and cerebral capacity.
This book will give Herschel some badly needed attention for awhile, but after all the radio and TV talk shows, funds from the goobers who buy this books, and a few more articles like this, he will need to look for something else to get a little attention until he just learns to accept what he is which all of us can help him with by not buying in to this ridiculous DID nonsense that just coincidentally surfaced AFTER his playing career.
Want some examples of people who have enough brains, self esteem, and maturity to move on after their career? Look up Dale Murphy, Hank Aaron and Steve Bartkowski!
By Bill
April 19, 2008 6:24 AM | Link to this
So, does schizophrenia come with stupidity thrown in? Yes, as these stories come out it looks more and more suspicious that Herschel is really suffering from such a malady. I agree with Woodson. It’s all about selling books. Not necessarily the money but the attention. Walker has always been a sour-grapes sort of guy anyway. Still complains that he should have won the Heisman in his freshman year when GA. native George Rogers won it. Maybe but he didn’t. It sounds like another rich-guy in sports who thinks he is better than everyone else. Spurrier never said a thing about hurting anyone but I guess a “voice” in HW’s head must have heard that. Too bad one of college footballs greatest players did not take the high road on numerous occasions that he had an opportunity to do so. He sounds bitter.
Hope he likes sitting at a table by himself at the next Heisman awards dinner.
By TommyP
April 19, 2008 7:50 AM | Link to this
That’s one stupid article you just wrote, Terrence.
Dumb.
Asinine.
You’re simply piling on and there’s no disputing that.
Uh….you were talking Georgia football with the man and he transitioned to a different topic while staying on the subject. Everybody does that EVERY DAY.
You have no story here.
By Charles
April 19, 2008 8:03 AM | Link to this
I think we are all perplexed if we have followed Herschel. He has always been such a role model and seemingly terrific individual. When in school, my family was parking in the coliseum parking lot to attend a basketball game. As we parked, Herschel came by from McWhorter Hall headed toward the coliseum. By the time we got the car in place, he had moved on over a row or two of cars, and my two kids jumped out and called out that they wanted Herschel’s autograph. He heard them, stopped, and waited for them to run to him in order to give them his signature. That is just class. My wife and I were so impressed by this young man, apart from being his fans. This is all very puzzling. He still is the greatest and I and we, are still his fans. Always will be.
By Heeldawg
April 19, 2008 8:22 AM | Link to this
There’s not a Georgia fan anywhere who hasn’t wanted to take a shot at Coach Spurrier, verbal or otherwise. And Herschel’s about as big a Georgia fan as there is. Moreover, what Spurrier said was stupid—not the sort of thing you’d expect a future Hall of Fame coach to say about a situation like that (he later said he was “joking,” but I doubt it). The bottom line is, Herschel Walker has always been a model of behavior and decorum, at leats publicly. He is a God-fearing man who has never been associated with all of the drug-using, violence-laced subculture that professional sports has metamorphosed into these days. He has, in fact, been a model citizen—a successful businessman, a college graduate, who gives 10% of his annual earnings to the United Negro College Fund and who NEVER got into trouble during his college career, his pro career or therafter. Contrast this with folks like Ray Lewis (who had something to do with a murder in Atlanta, even though he was acquitted) or Ricky Williams (who’d apparently rather smoke dope than do just about anything) or even Georgia’s own Odell Thurman (who has been given a million second chances and who just doesn’t get it).
Suppose, just for a moment, that we give Herschel the benefit of the doubt?
Suppose that you were Herschel Walker and you noticed behaviors in yourself that you didn’t recognize or condone? And that those behaviors led to the breakup of your 19-year marriage? Wouldn’t the mature thing be to get help, to try to find out what was going on and fix it? Shouldn’t most people do that? People commended Bret Favre for coming clean about his prescription drug problem and getting help. Shouldn’t Herschel be given credit for doing the same sort of thing?
And, as a public figure with a difficult and not-well-understood problem, wouldn’t it be considered a noble thing to take one’s illness to the public, in order to provide others with the same problem with some hope for the future?
What kind of a society do we live in when a man who meets his problems head on (and beats them) is vilified while immature, selfish individuals who use drugs or get into street fights or who arrange the murders of their pregnant girlfriends are met with a shrug and a “whatever?”
Herschel did the right thing. He dealt with this problem with his typical courage and dignity, just as he has lived his entire life. And to stimatize him and make fun of him just because of the nature of his illness is cruel and small-minded. You might as well poke fun at someone with Downs’ syndrome or schizophrenia.
Sorry, Terence, just because you don’t understand someone’s situation doesn’t make it right for you to judge them.
Making a determination about a man based on a paucity of information is an inferior form of judgment. It’s narrow-minded and petty.
It’s called prejudice.
Ever heard of the term?
By dt4c
April 19, 2008 8:46 AM | Link to this
You know Terence, it is alright to write attack columns on people as the constitution as allowed. However to attack a mental illness of which you know nothing about is actually right up your alley too. I read your columns sometimes just to try to figure you out. I think maybe that chip on your shoulder might be one of those illnesses too. Is there anyone you actually respect? I don’t know Hershel that well and he may have been sold a bill of goods here but I know him well enough to know that he really believes that this is his problem and wants to help other people; something of course that you have no clue about and are having a hard time understanding. Do you really think he needs to sell books???? I think he has invested well enough to be OK, don’t you? Give him the benefit of the doubt because he has EARNED it. You really should be ashamed of this column.
By HaHA
April 19, 2008 10:55 AM | Link to this
Tiger can’t lose.
Tiger won’t lose.
By Rick
April 19, 2008 10:55 AM | Link to this
This whole Multiple personality thing is just so much B.S.! Walker is just tired of being out of the media spotlight, so he came up with this crap.
We are suppose to believe he was nuts for 30 years and NOBODY (parents, friends, teammates) noticed anything wrong.
What happened to Walker wanting to be an FBI agent? What next? Cowboy? Double-Naught Spy?
By Er from Roswell
April 19, 2008 11:20 AM | Link to this
The man is obviously trying to sell books. He is a joke and should be treated that way. UGA should wash their hands of this creep and never allow him the spotlight again. Great article Terrance. Thanks for keeping it real.
By Chris
April 19, 2008 11:25 AM | Link to this
Way to take another shot at a UGA athletic icon. Good work. I guess the only Terrence has a real beef with UGA.
By The Lone Voice
April 19, 2008 11:53 AM | Link to this
Nice job, Terry. You should be real proud of your journalistic acumen. You are proof positive that the only credential one needs to write a sports column is a functioning copy of Microsoft Word.
By Dr. Merkwurdigliebe
April 19, 2008 12:39 PM | Link to this
You’re an arse.
By thegamedaychef
April 19, 2008 12:55 PM | Link to this
Mr. Moore, In response to your comment: “the only person that the real Herschel would challenge to a fight would be Satan” I thought Steve Spurrier was Satan. I jest of course. Interesting column. Often people with mental disorders are very effective at masking them from others. On some level he or she will realize that there is a problem (even if they don’t understand it) and try to hide it from others (and ultimately themselves) for fear of judgement. The stigma on being “crazy” in our society prevents most people from ever facing emotional problems they may have. I say cheers to Mr. Walker for risking his reputation and public image (and his personal relationships) in an effort to help others who face this problem, which is what he is trying to do with this book.
By Juice
April 19, 2008 1:30 PM | Link to this
Herschel is nice
By Brandon
April 19, 2008 1:39 PM | Link to this
What is your point Mr.Moore?
By dumbdawg
April 19, 2008 2:14 PM | Link to this
This is another great example of the media, excluding Mr. Moore, just taking anything and everything Walker says as being the gospel truth. I saw Walker on GMA earlier this week and Robin Roberts was just enthralled in this story. Have none of these people (media) done their homework and talked to any one in his past. Nobody that I’ve heard that has known Walker since the early ‘80’s EVER saw one thing unusual about his personality/demeanor. How can this idiot say he doesn’t even remember his junior year in college yet nobody that was affiliated with that team saw anything different in him. I’ll give Herschel credit for one thing - he knows the moronic following he drew at Ugag will buy this book up by the thousands. They’ll even buy ‘em and give it for Christmas presents. If he makes 10% a book which would probably be about $3 or more he’s made a killing. Terrance the next time you talk to Walker, ask him if it’s the Herschel from 1980 or ‘82, or the one that played in the USFL or is it the Herschel Walker that held a gun to his wife’s head.
By UGA fan
April 19, 2008 2:17 PM | Link to this
Your going pretty low to be critical of someone that is admitting to a mental issue he has to live with daily. I would be more afraid of living around your dumb a* Moore. Give the guy a break. He has gotten treatment. He is a person. The personalitys are a part of him. It does not mean that he cannot jump from topic to topic. Everyone else does. Your absurd. When Walker brought up Steve Spurrier , you had probably mentioned Florida vs Georgia games at some point. It makes alot more sense to me than the crap that you print.
Write something you know about. Sure will be lonely without you/.
I doubt you will print this. There is censorship in America.
By Jeff
April 19, 2008 3:54 PM | Link to this
Why does the AJC continue to pay Terence Moore?
By MVP
April 19, 2008 4:02 PM | Link to this
Her-schel a few fries short of a happy meal but which personalty wrote the book? LOL! Buy the book at overstock.com
By tom missildine
April 19, 2008 4:05 PM | Link to this
Terrence, you write like someone with dissociative identity disorder.Your cynical comments suggesting Herschel Walker’s motive is to sell books are beyond dispicable. I suppose one has to consider where you’re coming from, not to sell books, not even to sell newspapers, just to hang on to your miserable job.
By garry
April 19, 2008 4:16 PM | Link to this
I say lets remember and think of the Herschel we know. Lets not speculate if he is or is not sick. If this sickness is fake, he needs our prayers becuse thats not the person we know. If he is really sick he still needs our prayers.It seems to me ,whatever the case is in this case, it is a very rare case that needs positivity not negativity because help is very much needed. tks, Garry