• Loading stock data...
Monday, October 20, 2025

Trump Taps Herschel Walker for Ambassadorship That Has Sat Empty for 13 Years

Trump had said on the campaign trail that he wanted the Heisman winner to lead a missile defense program.

Herschel Walker
Savannah Morning News

President-elect Donald Trump said Tuesday he would nominate Heisman Trophy winner and former NFL player Herschel Walker to serve as his ambassador to the Bahamas.

A member of the College Football Hall of Fame, Walker won the Heisman at Georgia. He played in the NFL from 1986 to 1997 and competed in the bobsled for Team USA at the 1992 Winter Olympics.

Between college and the NFL, Walker was first drafted in 1983 to the New Jersey Generals, a team in the United States Football League owned by Trump. The two have had a long friendship that includes a family trip to Disney World and an appearance by Walker on an early season of The Celebrity Apprentice.

Trump tapped Walker for his Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition. Walker served on the group from 2018 to 2022, and co-chaired it from 2019 to 2020. The former player spoke at the 2020 Republican National Convention in support of his friend.

Ahead of the 2022 Georgia Senate election, Trump encouraged Walker to run against the incumbent, Raphael Warnock. The vote went to a run-off, but Warnock won reelection. The 2022 race was marked by a series of scandals for Walker, including several of his former partners accusing him of domestic violence.

Walker spoke at a rally for Trump in Macon, Ga. in November. At that same rally, Trump said he wanted to build a missile defense shield similar to Israel’s Iron Dome. He said “a lot of” the system would be constructed in Georgia and he would “put Herschel Walker in charge of that little sucker.”

The U.S. has not had an official ambassador in the Bahamas since 2011. Presidents have nominated several in the past, but each of their confirmation processes have struggled in the Senate, either stalling or failing to pass a vote. Doug Manchester, a billionaire put forward by Trump, was tied to a possible pay-for-play scheme to move his nomination forward in 2019, and was never put up to a Senate vote.

The de-facto ambassadors have been called chargé d’affaires, which is the term for a diplomat serving in lieu of an ambassador.

“I’m happy to do the job until we get an ambassador, but nobody understands my title, chargé d’affaires; nobody wants that. They want an ambassador. So, I think it is symbolic more than anything else. Occasionally, it does matter,” Usha Pitts, who held the position from January 2021 to April 2024, said last year.

Walker is one of a number of figures with sports ties whom Trump has already chosen to join his administration. WWE cofounder and former CEO Linda McMahon is Trump’s pick to lead the Department of Education, and former NFL player Scott Turner is the choice to helm the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Former Atlanta Dream owner Kelly Loeffler has also been tapped to run the Small Business Administration.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Apr 5, 2025; San Antonio, TX, USA; Auburn Tigers head coach Bruce Pearl talks with his players against the Florida Gators in the semifinals of the men's Final Four of the 2025 NCAA Tournament at the Alamodome.

Bruce Pearl: ‘The One Thing’ I Miss About Coaching

FOS interviewed ex-Auburn coach on his move to TNT Sports.
Jul 30, 2022; Irvine, CA, USA; A general view of the official NFL balls on the field during Los Angeles Rams training camp at University of California Irvine.

Saudi Arabia Wants to Bring American Football to the Middle East

The Middle Eastern nation wants to host major football events.
BYU

BYU Lost Its Star QB This Summer. Now It’s One of the..

The Cougars are thriving with a true freshman at quarterback.

ESPN’s ‘MNF’ Doubleheaders Will End—If NFL Equity Deal Clears

ESPN is broadcasting its fourth “MNF” doubleheader this season.

Featured Today

@chef__tezz/Instagram

Inside the NFL’s Private Chef Network

Private chefs are the unsung architects of player performance.
October 18, 2025

How Vanderbilt Went From SEC Doormat to Dark Horse CFP Candidate

After beating LSU, Clark Lea said: “Internally, we expect to win.”
May 27, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell (9) shoots a three point basket over New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) during the third quarter of game four of the eastern conference finals for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse
October 18, 2025

NBA Stars Swap Wine With League Friends and Foes

A wine-exchange tradition emerged from the bubble season’s close quarters.
May 25, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Derek Jeter walks the red carpet on Sunday, May 25, 2025, ahead of the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
October 16, 2025

The Players’ Tribune Is Still Kicking 11 Years Later

Founder Derek Jeter is still closely involved in the publication.
Donald Trump

FIFA Backs Down, Suggests Trump Could Move World Cup Games

Trump has threatened to remove games from Seattle, San Francisco, and Boston.
October 14, 2025

Infantino Says FIFA Will Help Rebuild Soccer Facilities in Gaza

Invited by Trump, Infantino attended Gaza peace talks with world leaders.
Donald Trump
October 15, 2025

Trump Again Threatens to Move World Cup, Olympics

Trump claimed he could target Boston if he deemed the city unsafe.
Sponsored

How Jenny Just Is Shaping the Future of Sports Ownership

Jenny Just on bringing her investment experience to sports ownership.
Oct 4, 2025; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys outside linebacker Poasa Ute (35) and Wendell Gregory (4) celebrate during the third quarter of the game against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium.
exclusive
October 7, 2025

New Bill Aims to Prohibit Athletic Department, Conference Private-Equity Deals

The bill would bar schools from selling ownership stakes.
September 26, 2025

Trump Visit Adds Political Theater to Ryder Cup’s Opening Day

President Donald Trump attended the Ryder Cup on Friday afternoon.
Signs promoting the FIFA World Cup Final coming to MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on Wednesday Feb. 7, 2024. The World Cup is held every four years and the 2026 World Cup Final match will be played at MetLife Stadium.
September 26, 2025

Trump Says He’ll Move World Cup If He Deems Host Cities Unsafe

The president has vowed to lower crime in cities.
Elizabeth Warren
exclusive
September 24, 2025

Sens. Warren, Sanders Press ESPN, NFL, MLB Over Media Deal Concerns

Four prominent members of Congress are worried about ESPN’s deepening ties to leagues.