Former Cowboy player inspires Sheppard

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Candy Miller
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Herschel Walker, 1982 Heisman Trophy winner and former Dallas Cowboy running back shared his experiences suffering from dissociative identity disorder during a motivational speech Sept. 11. 

Mr. Walker said he managed about 12 different personalities he had suppressed from being bullied and abused while growing up. These personalities did not reveal themselves until after he retired from professional football. 

He said he couldn't remember the things his alternate personalities had done, but he sought help. He found that psychotherapy helped him tremendously, Mr. Walker said. 

"It doesn't matter who you are, what you do," Mr. Walker said, "It doesn't matter what problem you have, get help." 

Herschel Walker said he wanted to encourage people to do what it takes to solve their problems. 

"It's ok to have problems, the shame is if you don't do anything to take care of them," he said. 

Mr. Walker said the condition and treatment caused him to be more compassionate and aware of the struggles people go through. 

Capt. Kevin Watts, a loyal Cowboys fan who grew up watching Herschel Walker, said the disorder was unnoticeable. 

"I admire him much more now, he's more than a well known football player," he said, "He showed us he's human." 

Airman Henry Allen, a personnelist with the 782nd Training Group, said Herschel Walker is an inspiring man and a role model for people everywhere. 

"He showed people there is a way out of everything, even the worst situation," he said. "I have a better understanding of him now."