Herschel Walker hit Capitol Hill on Wednesday.

The former Georgia star spent the day pressing palms with congressmen and pushing for more funding for physical education in the schools.

"What fitness does is it trains the mind and the body," Walker said. "It's OK for kids to play video games, but they have to then get our and ride their bike or jump rope. Georgia is 16th [in childhood obesity] with one being the worst. That says we are not getting the message out there. We are not getting our kids fit."

This is the eighth year Walker has come to Congress to lobby for more funding for physical education. In that time congressional funding for his cause has grown from nothing to $75 million. This year Walker is asking for that total to be pushed to $100 million. And he had a few influential friends to help.

Along with Walker were 18 other current and former athletes, all visiting the offices of political representatives from across the nation. Included in that group were former NBA star Clyde Drexler, former L.A. Dodgers star Steve Garvey and Cleveland Browns offensive lineman Joe Thomas. More than 100 senators and representatives were visited. Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association, a trade-association group, oversaw the enterprise.

"Whatever he says to sign I am going to sign," said Rep. Lamar Smith (R-Texas) after Walker left his office Wednesday afternoon.

Smith has championed the cause in the past.