Published: July 17, 2008 11:44 pm         

Walker no stranger to volunteerism

Former NFL star riding in Petty’s fundraising event

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS — For Herschel Walker, who was one of the top running backs in the NFL for more than a decade, participating in the Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America is becoming a tradition.

“I love motorcycles and I love children,” the soft-spoken Walker said in discussing the fundraiser designed to raise funds for the Victory Junction Gang Camp founded by Kyle and Pattie Petty in memory of the son Adam, who died in 2000 in a racing accident in New Hampshire.

“I met Pattie at an All-Star race and she told me about the charity,” Walker explained.

According to Walker, who was awarded the Heisman Trophy in his junior year at the University of Georgia, this is his fourth year on the charity ride.

“It’s the best thing I’ve done in a long time,” says Walker, who started his pro career with the New Jersey Generals and was with the Dallas Cowboys when he hung up his uniform for the final time in 1997.

“In every city the people have been beautiful. America is beautiful.”

Walker has high praise for the Victory Junction Gang Camp, located on 84 acres in Randleman, N.C.

“It’s like a Disney World,” he says, describing the camp which has barns filled with horses, goats and llamas and a medley of recreational facilities.

“I’ve been there to visit the kids.”

According to Walker, the cyclists who take part in the annual Kyle Petty Charity Ride are special to him.

“It’s like a big family,” he says.

“There are no drop-outs (in the annual race). They (the riders) come back every year.”

Walker is no stranger to volunteerism.

He works with a number of charitable and educational organizations and, in 1981, became the first Academy of Achievement honor student to return to the annual program as recipient of the Golden Plate Award.

No interview with Herschel Walker would be complete without touching on his outstanding career both in college and professional football.

Walker had a quick reply when queried about his most memorable moment in his gridiron career at the University of Georgia.

“In my freshman year, we defeated Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl for the national championship,” he said.

“Being coached by Tom Landry,” he said, when looking back to his days with the Dallas Cowboys. “He was a good man. He practiced what he preached.”

Walker, who was voted into the Collegiate Football Hall of Fame in 2002, was swamped by fans at the Wednesday charity ride event in White Sulphur.

He joined Kyle Petty in signing autographs on hats, T-shirts and $1 bills, posed for photos with children and chatted with a group of senior citizens who were attending the festivities.

Walker has formed close ties with the motorcycle riders who make up the Petty “family.”

“I plan to be part of the charity ride again next year,” he said. He built the custom motorcycle which he rides.