There was a lot of buzz in and around the Butts-Mehre Football Complex on Thursday, and that’s usually the case any time Herschel Walker drops in.
The Georgia Bulldogs’ legendary tailback and 1982 Heisman Trophy winner was spending the entire day around the football team as one of the featured speakers for UGA’s annual spring football coaches clinic. This year’s event is a particularly star-studded affair as Walker’s coach, Vince Dooley, Jacksonville Jaguars’ head coach Gus Bradley and 2014 NFL Man of the Year Thomas Davis were among this year’s keynote speakers.
High school coaches from across the state are also eager to hear from new UGA offensive coordinator Brian Schotteneimer and defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt. And the best of the high school ranks are also conducting seminars, including Colquitt County’s Rush Propst, Buford’s Jess Simpson and Calhoun’s Hal Lamb.
But whenever and wherever Walker is around, he is always the center of attention. And that was the case again Thursday as UGA students — including current Georgia football players — would stop Walker and ask him to pose with them for a picture whenever that came across him. Always gracious in that regard, Walker always did.
One of his happiest recipients was senior outside linebacker Jordan Jenkins, who happily tweeted:
Walker spoke to reporters briefly as he watched the Bulldogs’ workout on Woodruff Practice Fields on Thursday afternoon. It was clear he’s a big fan of Georgia’s latest star at tailback, Nick Chubb.
“Chubb is such a great guy and I just told him to just continue doing what he’s doing,” said Walker, Georgia’s all-time leading rusher with 5,259 yards and 49 TDs in three seasons. “I told them, ‘guys, Herschel Walker played in the ’80s.’ Most of these guys, I could be their father. I told them, ‘don’t listen to Herschel Walker this, Herschel Walker that, because you’re playing in a different time.’”
Asked if he thought he’d be as successful in today’s game, Walker laughed and said, “the ball’s heavier now. … They didn’t have guys that were 6.5, 300 pounds that can run a 4.5.’ He’s playing in a totally different era.”
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