Herschel Walker at 48 years old

[Dzone]

TweetA quick glance at Herschel Walker's body of work -- heck, just his body -- suggests it's foolish to set restrictions on the athletic aspirations of the former NFL star and Olympian.

But at age 48, even as he competes as a professional mixed martial artist, is Walker to be taken seriously when he says he's considering a return to professional football?



"I've told everyone that at 50 I might try football again to show people I can do that," Walker said on Monday during a conference call to promote his upcoming fight. "I want to be the George Foreman of football, come back and do that one more time."

Walker, a former Heisman Trophy winner and Pro Bowl running back, has two destinations he says he would consider for a possible NFL comeback.

"The two teams I would come back to play for are Minnesota or Atlanta," Walker said. "It would probably be Atlanta because that's home for me.

"I'm a Georgia boy. That's just home."

Born in Wrightsville, Ga., Walker was a running back at the University of Georgia from 1980-1982. After winning the Heisman Trophy in his junior season, he left school to play professionally in the United States Football League. Three years later, he signed with the Dallas Cowboys.

These days, Walker is a heavyweight mixed martial artist who competes in Strikeforce. Walker stopped Greg Nagy in the third round on Jan. 30, 2010, in his MMA debut.

He will make his second MMA appearance on Saturday in San Jose, Calif., against Scott Carson (4-1-0). That fight will air on Showtime at 10 p.m. ET.

Walker credits his physical conditioning with influencing his decision to possibly return to the NFL.

"I'm a much better-conditioned athlete now than when I was playing football," Walker said. "I'm 48 and in better shape now than I was when I was in my early 20s, playing football."

[FUZO]

TweetAt 50 he may look good but he will break down quick when he gets hit all the time on the field. Your bones are not the same when your at that age.

[tn94z]

TweetWhy can't these guys just train and be happy? Why do they think they can come back and compete whenever they want? I know they are competitive but they end up hurting any greatness they had in the past, IMO. If you leave on a high note....stay gone? It doesn't take long at all nowadays to fall WAY behind everyone else.

[Dzone]

TweetI think its the novelty of the idea. To prove that our bodies can do extraordinary things if we train right and take care of ourselves. I love to see older guys do thinhgs that others say they cant do. Randy Couture is almost 50, hes an animal

[tn94z]

Tweet

I think its the novelty of the idea. To prove that our bodies can do extraordinary things if we train right and take care of ourselves. I love to see older guys do thinhgs that others say they cant do. Randy Couture is almost 50, hes an animal

But he had some kind of really good background too. You can't take someone that is new to martial arts, let them train for a year, then take a year off, then come back and have any expectations of competing against guys that have been doing it their entire life. Randy was a boxer and great wrestler and started at 35 and didn't stop. IMO, it's a totally different situation.


I agree that seeing older guys do it is great, and even coming into martial arts and giving it your all is great....but the ones that get me are the ones that had such a great highlight filled career, leave on top, years down the road, think they compete again, and then come back to the sport they were well known for playing and do awful. I would never even take that chance.

I think it's just as much a psychological issue (don't want to admit their too old or their sport has passed them by) more than it is the novelty of showing their bodies can handle it. I guess more pride than anything.

[rc10j1]

TweetI doubt his old knees can juke and cut like they used to.

[Strella]

TweetThe guy is a complete physical freak. He says he still can run a 4.38-4.39 40 yard dash. I dont doubt he has the physical ability to play football still, but Im not too sure his ligs and tendons would hold up. It would be cool to see though! Im all for these guys being an inspiration to people. Honestly, i think he should just compete in the masters olympics and kill all the track and field events. He almost made the real olympics as a sprinter and was on the olympic bobsled team.

[trip]

Tweetditto fuzo

[daved150]

Tweetlove the idea, but i think its a bad one...i agree he's risking serious injury

[Dzone]

TweetHell, Im all for it. Fleck it. I love when people want to push the edge of what is possible. Why not? If he fails, he fails by daring greatly!!!!!