Georgia Bulldogs to honor Heisman Trophy legend Herschel Walker in special way

The Circle of Honor was created in 1996 to celebrate the very best of Georgia’s student-athletes, coaches, and administrators and is the highest recognition a Bulldog can receive. 

Alongside Walker, Georgia men's tennis coach Manny Diaz and women's tennis coach Jeff Wallace will be honored, bringing the total number of inductees to 93. 

Walker, who was born and raised in Wrightsville, Georgia, made a name for himself with the Bulldogs from 1980 to 1982 as he racked up over 5,200 rushing yards and 49 touchdowns in just three seasons. As a dominant rusher, Walker led Georgia to a national title in 1980 and won the Heisman Trophy in 1982. By the end of his college career, Walker owned 41 Georgia football records, 16 Southeastern Conference records, and 11 NCAA records.

After college, Walked played in the USFL (United States Football League) for the New Jersey Generals, where he had some monster seasons, including a record 2,411 rushing yards in 1985. He then spent 12 seasons in the NFL with the Dallas Cowboys, Minnesota Vikings, Philadelphia Eagles, and New York Giants, totaling 8,225 rushing yards, 4,859 receiving yards, and 84 total touchdowns, while also excelling as a kick returner

Walker also competed in the 1992 Winter Olympics as a bobsledder and even had a brief MMA career. In 2024, Walker went back to Athens and finished his degree at UGA, earning a Bachelor of Science in Family and Consumer Sciences.