When it comes to the USFL, Jeff Pearlman literally wrote the book on the failed football league. So when it comes to Donald Trump and Herschel Walker, he knows a thing or two.
Given that Walker, a former Georgia Bulldogs football star, is currently running for U.S. Senate in Georgia, at the behest of former President Trump, it makes sense to talk to Pearlman and see if there are correlations between what he knows about the former New Jersey Generals player and team owner, respectively.
Vox’s Ben Jacobs spoke with Pearlman about Walker and Trump’s shared history in the USFL and how it all translates to Herschel’s chances of becoming a United States Senator today in spite of the myriad scandals and lies that have marred his campaign.
When asked if Walker’s iconic football career with the Bulldogs will have an impact on the election, Pearlman says the connection is “invaluable.”
“His name recognition in Georgia is off the charts. So that’s invaluable in politics,” said Pearlman. “No one would have ever predicted this guy would want to be a senator. He just wasn’t that smart. And he wasn’t that outspoken and he wasn’t engaging. I’d never be like, “Yeah, this guy is going to run for Senate, it’s the natural next step.”
As for what it was like to deal with Walker as a member of the media, Pearlman says that while he disagrees with his politics, he doesn’t necessarily think he’s a bad person.
“I still don’t think that the guy’s a jerk,” said Pearlman. “I feel bad for him. I disagree with all his politics, but I feel like he’s just being used and kind of manipulated.
“Nobody hated him. You can’t find a person who had really bad things to say about Herschel Walker. Or they’d say he was weird and he was sort of off, kind of guarded. He didn’t talk that much. Most of his teammates would be like, “I didn’t really get to know him,” or, “I didn’t know him that well,” or, “he was always with his girlfriend,” or, “he marched to the beat of his own drum.””
Pearlman later reiterated the notion that he thinks Walker is being taken advantage of and propped up by others for their own gains, something that Jemele Hill recently said as well.
“I honestly, truly, sincerely think he’s damaged and being taken advantage of,” said Pearlman. “I don’t say that politically. Meaning, I’d argue that no matter his party or stances, he’s just being propped up and used as a mannequin.”
[Vox]
