Former NFL star brings message of hope to JBER

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Christopher Gross
  • JBER PAO
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska --  Former Heisman Trophy winner and professional football player Herschel Walker spoke to Airmen and Soldiers Tuesday, about the importance of seeking help when it comes to mental health issues.

A spokesman for the Freedom Care Program, a specialized military treatment initiative, Walker has dealt personally with fighting mental health issues.

Walker was diagnosed with dissociative identity disorder, or multiple personality disorder, after he retired from the National Football League in 1997.

"There's so much stigma people put on mental health," Walker said. "What I want to do is try and remove that stigma."

While here, Walker visited the 673d Medical Group's Mental Health Flight and ate lunch with the Warrior Transition Unit, he also delivered two speeches, one at the Talkeetna Theater and the other at the Richardson Theater, both followed by a meet and greet session where he signed autographs and took pictures with those in attendance.

Walker said the Freedom Care Program, which specializes in combat PTSD, addiction and several other areas, allows him to give back to the military, by traveling from installation to installation giving his testimony and letting people know how he turned his life around.

"We sometimes as (people) don't want to admit we're struggling because (we) think it makes (us) look weak," Walker said.
 
"Going out with Freedom Care, I can say 'Look at me. I run a successful food company, have 600 employees, MMA fight and at a point in my life I had a problem, no one ever knew about it and I went to get help and there's no shame.'"

Walker said, early on in his life, he had to deal with issues.

Children use to make fun of his speech impediment and he was overweight and he was often put in the corner during class.

Since that point in his life, he said he wasn't going to make excuses and created a character, a Herschel Walker who can do almost anything, a Herschel Walker who wasn't going to let any words hurt him or feel any pain.

"All my life I didn't think I was good enough, I created this hero that can do anything," he said.

During that turning point in his life, Walker said he started doing 5,000 push-ups and sit-ups every day and he started going to the library and reading every day, and before he knew it, his speech was getting better and he was getting bigger and stronger.

Eventually, he became valedictorian of his class and the No. 1 high school football recruit in the nation.

At the point in his life it was time to decide his future, Walker said he had always wanted to join the Marines, but his family wanted him close to home, so he decided to flip a coin, either the military or football, and his route took him through the football ranks.
Walker played college football at the University of Georgia.

At first he was told by the head coach, he didn't know if he could play because Walker came from one of the smallest high schools in 
Georgia.

This again brought out the Herschel Walker who was going to defy the odds and work through any pain to be the best of the 
best.

This Herschel Walker would do it yet again, becoming the only college player in NCAA history to finish in the top three for the Heisman Trophy each year he played, he received the Heisman during his junior year in 1982.

After spending some time in the U.S. Football League, which no longer exists, Walker joined the Dallas Cowboys and played for several other teams before retiring.
Walker said, seeking help after his retirement turned him around.

He said he's lost a lot, and his marriage has suffered, but his wife has stuck with him through the whole process.

He also said, he strongly feels that if he hadn't received help, he would either be in prison or dead.

"There's no shame if you're suffering from anything to ask for help," Walker said as he ended his speech.

"If you know of anyone who's suffering, try to help them, because they don't see it clearly. I didn't see it clearly - if it weren't for (my wife) I wouldn't (have) gotten the help."

For people here, who want to talk or are in need of help they can visit the Joint Venture DoD/VA Hospital, weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or call 580-2181 to talk or schedule an appointment.

To watch Walker's message, visit freedomcare.com.