Herschel Walker Interview (page: 8 / 8) All-American Football Player	Print Interview

What was it like going from college to the pros?

Herschel Walker: That was exciting, because I got better. I learned more. That's the reason it's exciting for me. As long as I can mature mentally, it's really more exciting for me. I want to learn more, and going to professional football, it helped me to play guys that had been there a little bit longer. Whereas, Herschel, you can be the fastest guy, you can be one of the strongest guys, but you're not going to be better until you are a little bit wiser. I learned that. I learned different ways to do things that was a lot easier, didn't take as much strength and as much speed, just took knowledge. And I had that open mind to listen.

Still learning?

Herschel Walker: I'm learning every day. I think when it gets to the point where I'm not learning, or where I'm just pushing myself, I'm giving it up. Because then I think I'm not going to perform well, I'm just going to be there. I don't want to just show up. If you are not going to show up and dance at the party, don't go. It's called a party, so you've got to have fun. And because I don't drink, I reckon I've got to dance.

Like it or not, people look to you. I won't use the word role model, but what kind of responsibility do you feel, as an athlete, as a very well known and admired person?

Herschel Walker: I don't feel a big responsibility. I think, as an adult, we all are role models. Because if little kids see an adult doing something, they think that it's okay. For myself, I don't feel responsibility. No matter what, I'm going to do the very best I can do, I am going to be the very best I can be, because I think if a kid can see me doing that, he is going to be the best he can be. But that's the way I am. I think we all should be like that. A role model? What is that? Something that inspires you to do better? I think if we all do better it will make this world better. So I don't think it's a responsibility, because I think if I didn't do that, I'm cheating myself. If I can be the best I can be, I'm helping someone else out anyway.

Have you ever gone back in that huddle and said, give me the ball, I want it?

Get the Flash Player to see this video. No, I never really ask, because I hope that the quarterback knows that I want the ball. I think when he look in my eyes he can see that I want the ball. I'm not being selfish, but I want to play. If the clock is winding out and we are behind, then I want the ball. I think he can look in my eyes and say, "Hey, Herschel wants the ball. Let me see if I can get it to him." And you know, all of them want the ball. If you are a professional, you want the ball. That's the type of team I want to be with. I want to be with guys that're not afraid to take that last shot. You have a lot of guys that are afraid to lose it. But if you are afraid to lose, you never going to win.

Even in the fourth quarter, when you've carried the ball 30 times, you are beat up, you are dog tired, do you still want the ball?

Herschel Walker: Yes. That's a part of the game to go out and carry the ball. That's a part of the game to go out and catch the ball. You become mentally weak when you say, "I'm too tired to go on." I've trained all week, how can I be tired? So I say you can't get tired. There is not time to get tired. We don't have enough time for you to get tired. You can get tired tomorrow.

What about team work? What about working with others?

Herschel Walker: That's important. Team work is very important in football, basketball, baseball, very important. Because you are as strong as your weakest link. There are 45 guys on the team, and I made this statement to my teammates that if there is one guy that doesn't believe that we can win, I don't want to play with you. Because I don't want your negative influence over the other 44. I don't want a negative atmosphere around me. I want something positive. I don't care if we are losing, but I want something positive. I want you to believe we can win. Because once it happens, it's going to happen big. I don't want no one that you have to carry, because sooner or later you're going to get heavy. I can carry you a little ways, but sooner or later you've got to stand up and say, "I've got to carry myself the rest of the way.'

Does that work in business as well?

Herschel Walker: Oh, there is no doubt. If you are running a business, and you've got employees and you've got one that doesn't want to do anything but goof off -- the other ones are working hard and they are carrying him -- sooner or later he's going to get heavy. And he's got to stand up or she's got to stand up and be accounted for. And if they can't do that you don't need them around. You hate to say you'll fire them, but you've got to make a change. They may not understand it, but that's the way life is. This is a business, this is a football team. If you want it to be something else, you are in the wrong line of business.

What do you say to a kid who's in high school, and all he can think about is being an athlete? He doesn't study, that's all he thinks about.

Get the Flash Player to see this video. Being an athlete is being a competitor. Not on the football field, but in life. And you've got to be able to compete in the classroom. Because you can always be president when you are 60. But when you turn 30 they're going to say you're too old for football. So knowledge can take you a long way; being an athlete can only take you a short little sprint. You want to study hard because then you've always got something. Like I say, it is so great to be able to understand something. To sit down with the President and understand what's happening, and then to go sit out there on the street with anyone, and still understand, that is beautiful to do that. Just to go out and run a touchdown is only great for that time. The next week, if you don't do it, they don't want you around no more.

We'll be rooting for you. Hope you get that Super Bowl ring.

Thank you.

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