AP MMA HERSCHEL WALKER S MMA USA CA
Herschel Walker, who won the 1982 Heisman Trophy at Georgia and played in the NFL until 1997, claims he could still play the sport professionally at age 53. (AP File Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Herschel Walker is famous for staying in great physical condition, still purportedly doing thousands of push-ups and sit-ups every day and participating in mixed martial arts into his late 40s.
But Walker, now 53, said Thursday he's not necessarily done with football. The 1982 Heisman Trophy winner appeared as a guest on the "Boomer & Carton" nationally syndicated radio show and said he believed he could succeed as an NFL player, at least on a part-time basis.
"There is not a doubt in my mind, if I played today, I (could) contribute to a team," Walker said, via CBS Sports.
"Let me tell you the reason why [I can play]. Running backs today don't play every play. They only play, like, a couple of plays and they go out of the game."
After winning the Heisman at Georgia in 1982, Walker played three seasons in the USFL before joining the Dallas Cowboys in 1986. He rushed for 8,225 yards and caught 512 passes in a 12-year NFL, and was also an outstanding kickoff returner.
That's another area Walker says he could still contribute. His world-class speed hasn't left him even at his advanced age, he said.
"I can return kickoffs," Walker said. "I still run very well, like I've always (run). So I know I can be a positive thing.
"The last time I ran a 40, I ran a 4.3. That was like a year ago. That was when I had not been doing any track work. All I had been doing was [MMA]."
So why doesn't he make a serious NFL comeback? Walker said he continues to pursue participating in MMA, in which he last fought professionally in 2011 but continues to train.
But that could change.
"I thought about it, but I'm still fighting," Walker said. "I've gotta get out of the fighting first. Once I get out of the MMA stuff, then I may go back and play. I want to be the George Foreman of football."
For the record, Foreman returned to the ring in 1987 after a 10-year layoff, won the heavyweight championship back at age 45 in 1994 and last fought professionally at age 48.
Here's video of Walker's interview on "Boomer & Carton":