Q: In light of the Todd Gurley investigation, did Herschel Walker drive a brand-new black Trans-Am his freshman year at Georgia?
—Frank Roberts, Lilburn
A: The source of what the New York Times called "the most famous black Pontiac Trans-Am in Georgia" was a focus of the media during Walker's recruitment and his career as an All-America running back at Georgia from 1980-82. Walker later wrote that his parents took out a second mortgage on their home in Wrightsville to buy the Trans-Am while he was being recruited at Johnson County High School.
In “Breaking Free: My Life with Dissociative Identity Disorder,” which was published in 2008, Walker wrote that his father “went down to the dealer with cash in hand, a little more than $7,500 after taxes, and I was handed the keys to that amazing car.” Walker wrote that former UGA and Atlanta Hawks player Dominique Wilkins later told him that people “assumed that a booster or someone else had illegally helped me obtain it.” A YouTube video of an Atlanta news report (
) from Walker’s senior year of high school mentions and shows the Trans-Am. People magazine wrote in 1981 that the car was a gift from his family.
Q: Could you tell me where and when disABILITY Link Doggie Day is happening this year?
—Elisabeth Huhn, Decatur
A: DisABILITY Link's third annual Doggie Day will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at First Baptist Church Decatur. The festival for "furry, four-legged family members" features music, food, vendors, games and giveaways. The blessing of the animals will be at 11:30 a.m.
Andy Johnston wrote this column. Do you have a question about the news? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
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