101. Herschel Walker

It may be called the Pro Football Hall of Fame, but for all intents and purposes, it only focuses on accomplishments from the NFL and, to a lesser extent, the AFL. This is too bad for Herschel Walker, who chalked up monster totals in his first three years of Pro Football but did so as a member of the New Jersey Generals of the upstart United States Football League.

Walker went to the Dallas Cowboys and tried to live up to the PlayStation-like numbers he put up in College and in the USFL. Walker was still very good and put up good numbers for Dallas in both receiving and running the ball. He was, however, the focal point of one of the more lopsided trades in NFL history, where the Vikings sent five players and a multitude of draft picks (three of which were Emmitt Smith, Alvin Harper, and Darren Woodson). Dallas used this to build a dynasty in the ’90s, and Minnesota coaches took their frustration out on Walker, who wasn’t used to his best ability as a Viking. Herschel was still good, but his stock dropped dramatically.

That lopsided trade hurt his legacy, but Herschel Walker should be remembered as a great Running Back who contributed in pass and kick return situations. If he were a rookie today coming out of Georgia, where there is no USFL, would he have had a shot to shatter NFL rushing records?

Sadly, we will never know.

Should Herschel Walker be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put him in! - 74.1%

Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 7.5%

Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 5.8%

No opinion. - 0.7%

No way! - 11.9%

The Bullet Points

Country of Origin: Wrightsville, Georgia, U.S.A.
Eligible Since: Monday, 01 January 2007
Position: Running Back
Games Played: 187
Notable Statistics: 137 Games Started
1,954 Rushing Attempts
8,225 Rushing Yards
61 Rushing Touchdowns
512 Receptions
4,859 Receiving Yards
21 Receiving Touchdowns
215 Kick Returns
5,084 Kick Return Yards
1 Kick Return Touchdown
1 Pass Completion
3 Pass Attempts
12 Passing Yards
97 Approximate Value

5 Playoff Games
3 Playoff Games Started
28 Rushing Attempts
132 Rushing Yards
10 Receptions
60 Receiving Yards
8 Kick Returns
147 Kick Return Yards
Played For: Dallas Cowboys, Minnesota Vikings, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles
College: Georgia
Drafted: 5th Round, 114th Overall in 1985
Major Accolades and Awards: Super Bowl Rings (None)
Second Team All-Pro Selection (2) (1987 & 1988)
Pro Bowl Selection (2) (1987 & 1988)
Most Yards From Scrimmage (1) (1987)
Most All-Purpose Yards (2) (1987 & 1990)
Most Yards per Touch (1) (1986)
Other Points of Note: Top Ten MVP Finishes:
5th in 1988

Top Ten Offensive Player of the Year Finishes:
6th in 1988

Top Ten Finishes: Rushing Attempts (3) (1987, 1988 & 1994)
Top Ten Finishes: Rushing Yards (2) (1987 & 1988)
Top Ten Finishes: Rushing Touchdowns (5) (1986, 1987, 1988, 1991 & 1992)
Top Ten Finishes: Yards per Rushing Attempt (4) (1986, 1987, 1993 & 1994)
Top Ten Finishes: Rushing Yards per Game (2) (1987 & 1988)
Top Ten Finishes: Receptions (2) (1986 & 1987)
Top Ten Finishes: Touchdowns (2) (1986 & 1996)
Top Ten Finishes: Yards from Scrimmage (4) (1986, 1987, 1988 & 1993)
Top Ten Finishes: All-Purpose Yards (7) (1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1993 & 1994)
Top Ten Finishes: Touches (3) (1987, 1988 & 1992)
Top Ten Finishes: Yards per Touch (3) (1986, 1987 & 1994)
Top Ten Finishes: Kick Returns (2) (1990 & 1997)
Top Ten Finishes: Kick Return Yards (2) (1990 & 1997)
Top Ten Finishes: Return Yards (1) (1990)
Notable All Time Rankings: 12. All-Purpose Yards: 18,168
33.   Kick Return Yards: 5,084
35. Kick Returns: 215
39. Touches: 2,466
45. Rushing Attempts: 1,954
46.   Rushing Yards: 8,225
52.   Yards from Scrimmage: 13,084
56. Rushing Touchdowns: 61
61. Return Yards: 5,084
63.   Touchdowns: 84
Years Nominated for the Hall of Fame: None