UGA blog finds new home
Morning all. As I’ve said a couple of times this week, we’re converting this blog over to a WordPress platform and it will be a permanent move the first of next week.
Those of you who are regulars probably know that I’m not what you’d call techno-wizard when it comes to these things. But from what I understand the technology offered in this new format should make the blogging and commenting experience better for all. Of course, I’ll be learning as we go along, too. But I’m hoping to provide more pictures and video and things like that which should bring the blog more to life.
Of course, this blog is nothing without all you guys so I want to heartily invite (read: beg) you to come over to the new site by CLICKING HERE ON THE NEW ADDRESS and save it in your browsers. As of Monday, Feb. 23rd, this will be the permanent home of the UGA blog you so love or, in the case of some of you, love to loathe. If you’d prefer to copy and paste or just memorize, the new address is: http://blogs.ajc.com/uga-sports-blog/.
See at the new place!
AJC > Sports > UGA > Blog > Archives > 2008 > April > 18 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USQuite a scene at Herschel’s book signing
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I have just come from Herschel Walker’s book-signing session at the UGA Bookstore. It was an interesting scene, to say the least, and much less chaotic than I expected.
Basically the UGA bookstore staff was well prepared for the onslaught. Bookstore director Jeremy Johnson told me they actually had a practice run for it on Thursday. They limited the total number of fans to 300, the first of which cued up at 5:30 in the morning, according to Johnson. Each one was limited to a maximum of three books, and it looked to me that most were taking full advantage that.
A long, long, line snaked through the aisles of the lower-level of the two-story bookstore, then up the stairs to the second level where they cued in a back-and-forth as you do at the airport or for an amusement park ride. Finally, back behind some roped off empty bookshelves sat Herschel.
Patty Cody of Atlanta cleared the line at a little after 1 p.m. She said she had been there since about 10 a.m.
“I got four chapters read [in line],” Cody said. “So it wasn’t too bad.”
Herschel appeared in good spirits and was taking his time chatting with each patron and signing the inside of his book, “Breaking Free.” Too much time for Shida Carr, the publicist from Simon & Schuster who is accompanying Herschel on his book tour. She was frantically texting on her cell phone and telling anybody that would listen that they needed be on the road headed back to Atlanta by 2:30 p.m. (they were scheduled for a 4 p.m. interview and a 7 p.m. book signing at the Carter Center). But nobody appeared to be listening.
I waved hello and nodded to Herschel, whom I’ve known since the late 1980s. But he wasn’t available for interviews at the signing (tight schedule, you know). He was supposed to go by Butts-Mehre Heritage Hall afterward for a quick photo shoot with Knowshon Moreno for us and our college football special section. But Ms. Carr was somewhat pessimistic about that happening.
Once you could get her aside, Ms. Carr was quite friendly and accommodating. She said she wasn’t sure but she thought they were going to print 100,000 of Herschel’s books on the first run and was certain that more runs would be on the way.
By the way, Nightline had Herschel Monday night and we had our one-on-one with Herschel on Wednesday. But if you want to catch another interview with him WXIA-TV is devoting their entire Sunday night show, “Sports Extra,” to Herschel. It comes on Sunday night at 11:30 p.m.
So that’s about all there is to be said about this whole Herschel thing. Let me know if you got his book and have read or have attended any of his book signings. I’ll be checking back in today and throughout the weekend.
Permalink | Comments (34) | Categories: Football
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Bulldawg
April 18, 2008 3:38 PM | Link to this
Forever the greatest running back in college football. And a person to admire AFTER their career as well. A all-around terrific person.
Go Dawgs!
By ActuaryDawg
April 18, 2008 3:43 PM | Link to this
In fact, he’s several all-around terrific people.
By Bulldawg
April 18, 2008 3:51 PM | Link to this
That was just plain wrong ActuaryDawg - but humorous nonetheless. ;)
By minookadawg
April 18, 2008 3:52 PM | Link to this
CHIP I have never met Mr. Walker, but as a Dawg fan, I appreciate his on field contributions the the UGA football program. I wish him the best. As a fan, it is easy to forget that star athletes are also human beings, who deal with their own personal issues, just like anyone else. Go Dawgs!
By minookadawg
April 18, 2008 3:57 PM | Link to this
Please excuse , the ”..the the ..” in my last post. It was supposed to read “to the UGA football program…”
Spell check does not provide me with a literacy rating, otherwise I might make more sense! Go Dawgs!
By Herschel was fun to watch
April 18, 2008 4:16 PM | Link to this
He is the only thing great about this historically poor performing program. His run was incredible. Much like Dorsett’s he appeared slow east to west but whoa nelly when he turned upfield it was a sight and then to see him lower his shoulder was just magic. Always my favorite and I gaduated from UA n 91.
By JB
April 18, 2008 4:18 PM | Link to this
To the jerk on here earlier in the week who said Herschel is a has been and the Georgia people didn’t care about him any more, you can go back to your Tech dorm room alone again. He IS the man…and a MAN.
By ugabulldog
April 18, 2008 4:22 PM | Link to this
I watched his interview the other night, says he doesn’t remember the Heisman ceremony, hard to believe but then again he was always UNBELIEVABLE!!!
By Spike
April 18, 2008 4:34 PM | Link to this
One of the greatest athletes of his time, and a gentleman to boot.
By greg
April 18, 2008 4:38 PM | Link to this
Herschel Walker has always been a class act. He has set a standard that most people could only hope to be like. I think it took allot of courage to present the world with this issue, he will help allot of people by what he has done. Best wishes to him, he will always be the Top Dawg!!
By chilidawg
April 18, 2008 4:44 PM | Link to this
I am a student at UGA, and I was around the 10th person in line. The management at the bookstore were very polite and courteous. They said Herschel had actually left a signing early the day before due to him not liking how the crowd was acting, so I was a little worried about what to expect. But he was very polite, shook my hand when I walked up and away, and carried on a conversation with me the whole time. He was a down to earth, nice person and a great representation of my school.
By Dallas Flop
April 18, 2008 5:14 PM | Link to this
He must be desperate for money to resort to peddling this ghost-written psycho-babble drivel. Probably a lot of bad investments, maybe some embezzling by advisers lead to this desperate attempt for a return to the limelight. Local media pimps happy to oblige.
By Seth Abromowitz
April 18, 2008 5:17 PM | Link to this
I got his autograph on the 3 books I purchased. He signed the first one Tim, the second Steve and the third one Stephanie. He, he and she were great to talk to about the good ole days.
By Keef
April 18, 2008 5:34 PM | Link to this
Historically poor performing program???? What have you been smoking?
By Gern
April 18, 2008 5:40 PM | Link to this
Hey Dallas Flop: Herschel may have some problems, but money ain’t one of ‘em. You must not read the papers too much.
By doiboi
April 18, 2008 6:02 PM | Link to this
Basically, I’m sick and tired of all these retired jocks having either missed the spotlight and/or run out of money. The next best thing is to write a book and claim to have had some type of disorder or “Tell All.”
But, having said all that, I’ll buy the book,…when its on sale at DOLLAR GENERAL for .59
By quaildawg
April 18, 2008 6:46 PM | Link to this
Seems no matter when a person tries to be forthright and face their problems there are always the negative nellies that come out of the woodwork. Guess that’s why we have the Democrat Party as well. Here’s to all you Schleprocks!!!
By Daniel Philpot
April 18, 2008 8:14 PM | Link to this
Who Let The Dawgs Out? I’m not sure, but Herschel could have outran anyone of them. It was fun when I was real young to watch Mr. Walker run like a blaze of lightning, and scoring all those most excellent TD’s. No matter his health, I bet he is one of the most wonderful people in the world. He took the “Rawhide” to school!, NO Doubt About It!!!!
By Dawg1
April 18, 2008 8:44 PM | Link to this
Dallas Flop, you will be disappointed to find out that Hershel is worth well over $100MM.
All of the proceeds to this book are going to charity.
You on the other hand might look for a book that teaches how to show a little ‘class’ to a person who is a humble person, who always put his team first.
By Concerned reader
April 18, 2008 10:11 PM | Link to this
I read the book cover to cover — and, no, I didn’t go to Vanderbilt. What is interesting is that this book wasn’t written to be “read” per se. There is no literary value whatsover in the book. One can certainly see a trouble Herschel shining through. There are brief glimpses of genuine thoughtfulness. The ghostwriters and editors of the thing, however, should be ripped by the Georgia press for some pretty foolish gaffes. The book tells how Herschel’s dad once worked in a town near Wrightsville, place it calls “IRVINGTON” — more than once. I challenge any NY editor to find that one on the Georgia map. Also, there’s an almost laughable account of Herschel as a child listening to birds — “brown THATCHERS” — and playing amid the Cherokee roses. I’m assuming these ghostwriter goofballs relied on too strong a dose of Wiki-researching Georgia’s plant and wildlife. It’s pretty obvious this book was an on-the-fly, get-it-out-quick piece of trash. It’s ashame, too, because Walker deserves better. It’s too bad he relied on a big-name publishing house that doesn’t seem to care for quality or integrity in its so-called nonfiction. Hopefully the “co-authors” Gary Brozek and Charlene Maxfield will read this post and know that it’s beyond evident what hacks you are. Herschel is a Georgian icon. You failed to realize that. (In fact, I’d be surprised if either of you even bothered to visit Wrightsville before pre-fabbing your story.) Oh, and your passages on late coach Tom Landry are clearly lifted from Wikipedia.
By concerned reader
April 18, 2008 10:19 PM | Link to this
Oh, and be sure to tell Chip or Carter to credit me when y’all break one of your so-called “exclusives” on the what a poorly crafted book this is, plagiarism or no.
By Chip Towers
April 18, 2008 11:28 PM | Link to this
Concerned reader: Some interesting comments you offered there. I appreciate it. I haven’t had a chance to read the book yet and don’t want to get into it until I have a little more time. If what you say is true, those are truly major gaffes… . One thing you said I KNOW is true is that it appears they rushed it out. Ms. Carr of Simon & Schuster actually corroborates your assertion. She was telling me it was well in the works but they had to step it up right at the end after we wrote in January that the book was coming out. It was originally planned for an August release. So you’re definitely right about that.
By Chip Towers
April 18, 2008 11:33 PM | Link to this
One more thing: Out of fairness I need to point out that it was brought to my attention late Friday that Channel 2 Action News is also going to air an extensive interview with Herschel on its Sunday night sports program. “Sports Final,” hosted by UGA grad Bill Hartman, also airs at 11:30 p.m… . May make for some interesting compare and contrast!
By Vince Doololly
April 19, 2008 12:26 AM | Link to this
Bill Hartman is and always has been a shameless homer. The only difference between now and 1974 is that his boyish looks have curdled to thin hair and spoiled-pudding face. He wouldn’t grill Herschel if he knew how. BTW, I met the bullet-headed jock on campus in 1981 when ONE of us was a student (if you get my drift). Strictly an ebonics lunkhead.
By Impressed with Concerned
April 19, 2008 12:32 AM | Link to this
Concerned Reader, the AJC needs to hire you. I’m a huge UGA fan, but to be honest, I am too lazy to read the book (not enough pictures). Not only did you do some homework, but you hit a HOMERUN with your analysis! Good On You, Sir.
By Fort Worth Dawg
April 19, 2008 12:38 AM | Link to this
Looks like I won’t make it to Waco for the Equestrian National Championships. 4-19 is the finals. UGA face #1 TCU in the Western Finals. Auburn faces Texas A&M for the Hunt Seat finals (UGA faces Oklahoma State for 3rd place). The four individual events go tomorrow 4-19 with UGA riders ranked #1 in two of them. Only four riders compete in the individuals, and in the two events where UGA does not have the #1 rider, UGA has the #4 rider in one and does not have an entry in the other. I don’t know how UGA is doing overall but I’m guessing that if UGA wins out then we’ll be national champs overall, and if not we may be in the top 3 or so.
By Texas was cool
April 19, 2008 12:54 AM | Link to this
Fort Worth Dawg, I miss the Golden Corals in Texas. The price was about the same, but the buffet was LOADED with various varieties of shrimp, FRESH lettuce and salad supplies, and plenty of tender steaks! GCs in GA ain’t bad, but they ain’t the same, either!
By yelladawg
April 19, 2008 1:53 AM | Link to this
Why don’t the Bush-McCain Party knee-jerks who can’t say anything good about anyone go back over to the boring political blogs where they belong. At least, get your heads out of the place where the sun does not shine. Go Herschel! Go Dawgs!
By gman
April 19, 2008 6:58 AM | Link to this
My Sons and I met Herschel while i was stationed in Hawaii. He came to visit the troops and the sign autographs. He saw our UGA Tshirts and had us brought to the head of the line. I was very impressed with him and his demeanor especially when compared to the makeup of the NFL today. I think Herschel is a down to earth country boy that has never forgotten his roots and his fans.
By Exley DAWG
April 19, 2008 9:02 AM | Link to this
Herschal - we love you brother. Im not very fond of that BBQ sauce you sell though.
By David
April 19, 2008 10:13 AM | Link to this
Chip, Thanks for the info on Herschel. Do you know of any more book signings Herschel may have planned in the future in the Athens area? Thanks
By copdawg
April 19, 2008 10:22 AM | Link to this
watched him at wrightsville and the three years at UGA,,my daughter, yes, white, attended class with him. my other daughter works in the same industry as Herschal which afforded me the opportunity to meet him and hold a conversation with him. his paying days were nothing short of incredible, yes, i was at neyland stadium when he ran over bill bates, yes, i was there when he ran down the north side line and purely outran three south carolina defenders, all of whom had the angle on him. i was in N.O, when he played thru a dislocated shoulder. the worst anyone has ever heard about Herschal is what he has elected to share with us. Herschal is a class individual unlike some of the posters on thiws blog
By CGH
April 19, 2008 12:34 PM | Link to this
Dear Mr. Walker, I salute you with all my heart and with enormous gratitude for having brought to the public eye the existence of Dissassociative Identity Disorder (DID). A renown figure like you who has already established himself as a strong public figure has the credibility to actually educate the public about such uncomfortable topics.
I was diagnosed 11 years ago with DID and since then have spent hours in intensive therapy (2-3X/wk, 2 hour sessions each), not to mentiona bout 6 hospitalizations. I have made ENORMOUS progress and am living testimony to the argument that DID can be cured. I have probably over 30 different “entities” and am now functioning as one person. ABSOLUTELY AMAZING and of which I em extremely proud. You, too, Mr. Walker, seem to be right on track to reaching that same goal.
Once again, I want to salute you and thank you from my heart for having the courage … and it takes a lot of courage …to speak up about this disorder, especially since you are speaking from personal experience. If there is any way that I may be able to help you on your personal journey (I am 46 and have been trying to uncover this all my life … I didn’t begin to “remember” until I was 35), I would genuinely like to do so. Or, if somehow I can help you educate the public about this disorder, please call on me. What I find most amazing about this journey to cure yourself of DID is that people continue to victimize the victim by disbelieving what he/she is trying to finally tell. In the field of DID that is called betrayal trauma. There is a wonderful book written by the daughter of the founder of the False Memory Society entitled, “Betrayal Trauma” in which she recounts the sexual abuse she suffered in the hands of her father. It is trauma because the person who has been victimized is revictimized by society as the one with pathology, the one who doesn’t know what is up, the one who “doesn’t know what she is talking about” … It is BECAUSE OF the original vicimization that he/she is “disabled” to function exactly like others in society … so, why not? Victimize her again! God forbid she be telling the truth! Don’t listen to her!! The fact of the matter is, these accounts of abuse are so horrific that people do not want to hear them, so they throw them back at the victim. How is that just?
Do you think it is coincidence that the authoress’ father has founded an organization, The False Memory Society, that casts dispersions on anyone who should remember such trauma? Ha! Stay far away from those people and that organization. They are dangerous in that they will throw in question exactly what you have worked so hard to finally reveal … as it is a threat to them either individually or publically! (My brother who raped me was in contact with them and did all he could do throw me off track! I did NOT fall!!!)
Write me please.
Very sincerely,
CHG
By eyeswideopen
April 19, 2008 2:45 PM | Link to this
how can people be so silly and be taken in by this childish charade by herschel. this is a glaring example of someone willing to expolit anyone, anything, anyhow, for a return trip to the “spotlight” an aging former jock greatly miss the adoring strangers flocking to see him, so he invents a “tale” of madness. and just look at the fools jockeying to be his audience! once more, this guy is nothing but a phony,i knew that years ago when he had to pray over his meals in public. there is no MPD with ol’ herschel, just a out of control EGO!