Trump nominates Herschel Walker as U.S. Ambassador to the Commonwealth of the Bahamas

ATLANTA - President-elect Donald Trump has announced his intention to nominate Herschel Walker, a former NFL star and Heisman Trophy winner, as the United States Ambassador to the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. 

Trump praised Walker's extensive achievements in athletics, philanthropy, and public service, highlighting his previous role as Co-Chair of the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition during Trump’s first term. Walker, an advocate for youth sports, has also worked to support military personnel and their families, visiting over 400 military installations worldwide and working to destigmatize mental health.

"Herschel has spent decades serving as an Ambassador to our Nation’s youth, our men and women in the Military, and athletes at home and abroad," Trump said in a statement. 

Walker’s accomplishments extend beyond football, where he played as a great in the National Football League, to his representation of the United States in the 1992 Winter Olympics as a member of the U.S. bobsled team. Trump backed Walker during his 2022 Georgia Senate run.

Who is Herschel Walker?

Herschel Walker is a former American football player and political figure. Born on March 3, 1962, in Wrightsville, he gained fame as a running back in college and professional football. Walker played college football for the University of Georgia, where he won the Heisman Trophy in 1982. He then went on to have a successful professional career in both the United States Football League and the National Football League, playing for teams such as the New Jersey Generals, Dallas Cowboys, Minnesota Vikings, Philadelphia Eagles, and New York Giants.

After retiring from football, Walker pursued various business ventures and became involved in politics. In 2021, he announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate in Georgia as a Republican, running in the 2022 election. His campaign attracted significant attention due to his celebrity status and endorsement from Trump.

Walker had claimed during his campaign that he graduated from the University of Georgia with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, but later acknowledged that he left the university in his junior year to play in the United States Football League with the New Jersey Generals. After stepping away from the spotlight, Walker re-enrolled at the University of Georgia and began taking summer courses. Recently, he finally walked across the stage to receive his degree.