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Herschel Walker files documents to run for US Senate in Georgia

The greatest running back in University of Georgia history is running for an even bigger prize.

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Herschel Walker, who led the Bulldogs to an NCAA football title as a freshman in 1980 and won the Heisman Trophy two years later, is running for the U.S. Senate seat held by Rafael Warnock.

Walker, 59, filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission to run for the Senate, WSB-TV reported.

Walker, a conservative Republican, has no political experience but was touted as a potential candidate by former President Donald Trump.

Walker played three seasons for the USFL for the New Jersey Generals after leaving Georgia as a junior. That franchise was owned by Trump. He also appeared on the eighth season of the reality television show, “The Apprentice,” which was hosted by Trump, WSB reported.

Warnock won a special election runoff for the Senate seat in January, defeating Kelly Loeffler to help give Democrats control of the Senate. He must run again next year for a full six-year term, according to The Washington Post.

Georgia Republicans already running for the Senate seat include state Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black, former banking executive and Navy veteran Latham Saddler and contractor Kelvin King, according to the newspaper.

Walker was born in Wrightsville, Georgia, one of seven children. He attended Johnson County High, where he was a three-sport star in football, basketball and track. As a senior, he led his high school to the Georgia state title, rushing for 3,167 yards.

Walker was also the valedictorian of his high school and came to the University of Georgia in 1980 with high expectations.

He did not disappoint.

Walker rushed for 1,616 yards and 15 touchdowns as the Bulldogs went 12-0 and won the 1980 national title. Walker’s electric season placed him third in the Heisman Trophy balloting behind George Rogers and Hugh Green. The following season he led the Bulldogs to a 10-2 mark and finished second in the Heisman voting behind Marcus Allen.

Walker won the Heisman in 1982, becoming the first Bulldog to win college football’s highest honor since another running back, Frank Sinkwich, took the award in 1942.

Walker became the first underclassman football player in NCAA history to turn pro, signing with the USFL’s Generals, who were owned by Trump. Walker played three seasons in the upstart league before it folded.

When he turned pro, Walker held 41 records at the University of Georgia, 16 Southeastern Conference marks and 11 NCAA records, WSB reported. After playing in the USFL, Walker spent 12 seasons in the NFL, playing for the Dallas Cowboys, Minnesota Vikings, Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants.

Walker was elected to the National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame in 1999.