Herschel Walker, a longtime Trump ally and friend, receives a new mission.

Donald Trump, the newly-elected president, appoints Walker, a former athlete, as ambassador to the Bahamas.

Herschel Walker, a longtime Trump ally and friend, receives a new mission.
Herschel Walker, a longtime Trump ally and friend, receives a new mission.

Herschel Walker, a longtime friend, ally and former football star, has a new game plan from President-elect Donald Trump.

Trump has chosen his friend to serve as the U.S. ambassador to the Bahamas, three years after he handpicked him to run for the Senate in Georgia.

Trump highlighted Walker's service as an ambassador to youth, military personnel, and athletes in a statement on social media Tuesday night, emphasizing his impressive resume, which includes his role as co-chair of the President's Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition during Trump's first term.

Former college football star and current senatorial candidate Herschel Walker speaks at a rally in Perry
Former college football star Herschel Walker, right, speaks at a political rally as former President Donald Trump applauds, in Perry, Georgia, on Sept. 25, 2021. (REUTERS/Dustin Chambers)

A former professional and college football star running back, Walker won a Heisman Trophy and helped the University of Georgia win a national championship.

In the 1980s, when he played football for the New Jersey Generals USFL team, Walker formed a friendship with both the former and future presidents. Additionally, he was a significant Trump supporter and surrogate during the 2020 presidential election.

In August 2021, Trump urged Walker to run for Senate in Georgia, and after months of support, Walker launched his Republican campaign.

During his Senate campaign, Walker faced criticism due to his personal and professional past.

Herschel Walker in Cumming, Georgia
Republican Senate nominee Herschel Walker of Georgia holds a campaign rally on Oct. 27, 2022 in Cumming, Georgia. (Planet Chronicle - Paul Steinhauser)

The Senate race between Walker and Democratic incumbent Sen. Raphael Warnock was one of the most closely watched Senate battles in the 2022 midterms. The contest went into overtime, with Walker narrowly losing to Warnock in a runoff election in December of that year.

In Georgia, Trump and Walker campaigned together just before Election Day, with Trump winning the state after losing it to Biden by a narrow margin four years prior.

Republican Presidential Nominee Donald Trump Campaigns In Macon, Georgia
Former NFL running back and former Republican candidate for U.S. Senate Herschel Walker addresses the crowd at a rally for former President Donald Trump, on Nov. 3, 2024 in Macon, Georgia. (John Moore/Getty Images)

A third Republican who lost a recent Senate race in Georgia is being nominated by Trump for a post in his second administration.

In the 2020 cycle, Sen. David Perdue, who lost his seat to Democrat Sen. Jon Ossoff, was appointed by Trump as ambassador to China, while Sen. Kelly Loeffler, who lost to Warnock, was chosen by Trump to head the Small Business Administration.

This month, the former football star has been named Trump's ambassador to the Bahamas, marking the second time he has made headlines.

This weekend, Walker graduated from the University of Georgia after 42 years of absence.

by Paul Steinhauser

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