Herschel Walker, the football legend who ran unsuccessfully for the US Senate in Georgia, has been chosen by President-elect Donald Trump to be ambassador to the Bahamas.
Trump made the announcement Tuesday in a post on Truth Social, his social media website. He described Walker as “a successful businessman, philanthropist and former Heisman Trophy winner.”
Walker, a Republican, tried to unseat Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock two years ago with Trump’s backing. Walker benefited during the campaign from nearly unmatched name recognition from his football career at the University of Georgia and in the NFL. But his efforts were not enough, unable to overcome a series of damaging allegations, including claims that he paid for two ex-girlfriends’ abortions despite supporting a national ban on the procedure.
He campaigned for Trump this year in his home state of Georgia.
To fill the ambassadorship, Walker will need his nomination to be approved by the Republican-led Senate next year.
Walker had a storied football career at Georgia from 1980 to 1982, with the Bulldogs going 34-5 in his three seasons. He led them to an undefeated record and a national championship in 1980, and in 1982 he won the Heisman Trophy.
After a season in the USFL, Walker played for more than a decade in the NFL, making two Pro Bowls and enjoying stints with the Dallas Cowboys, Minnesota Vikings, Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
