Herschel Walker named FWAA Freshman Legend at CFP championship game

Bill Bender

Herschel Walker named FWAA Freshman Legend at CFP championship game image

NEW ORLEANS — Georgia legend Herschel Walker received more honors at the College Football Playoff championship game Monday.

Walker was named the Football Writers Association of America Freshman Legend winner on Monday. Walker, who led Georgia to the national championship in 1980 and won the Heisman Trophy in 1982, has received several honors as part of college football’s 150th-year celebration.

The FWAA honors Freshman of the Year every season, an award that started in 2018. Memphis' Kenneth Gainwell won the award this year after Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence won the first award in 2018. The FWAA also will honor a Legend for their accomplishments as a freshman in the past.

Walker did that in his freshman season with the Bulldogs in 1980. He rushed for 1,616 yards and 15 TDs. He also led Georgia to a 17-10 victory against Notre Dame in the 1981 Sugar Bowl. Walker rushed 36 times for 150 yards and two TDs while playing with a dislocated shoulder.

Those efforts have been remembered this season. Sporting News named Walker as its No. 1 player of all time, and Walker received 31 of 54 possible first-place votes.

Bill Bender

Bill Bender Photo

Bill Bender graduated from Ohio University in 2002 and started at The Sporting News as a fantasy football writer in 2007. He has covered the College Football Playoff, NBA Finals and World Series for SN. Bender enjoys story-telling, awesomely-bad 80s movies and coaching youth sports.