Thursday, July 11, 1996
Cowboys Sign Herschel Walker
By JAIME ARON
Associated Press
(July 11, 1996)
IRVING, Texas (AP) - Herschel Walker, whose 1989 trade from
Dallas to Minnesota gave the Cowboys a jump start on building
the team that has won three Super Bowls in four seasons, re-signed
with Dallas on Thursday.
Walker, 34, was released last month by the New York Giants, for
whom he played last season.
"Winning a Super Bowl is No. 1. And as you look around the
league and see what teams got an opportunity of winning the Super
Bowl, there's no doubt there's only a couple but one at the top
of the hill is the Dallas Cowboys," said Walker, who would
not disclose which other teams were courting him.
Despite his talent as one of football's best all-purpose backs,
his biggest impact on the NFL was what's known in football circles
simply as "The Trade," which was made on Oct. 12, 1989.
In it, Walker was dealt from a Dallas team that finished that
season 1-15 to the Vikings for 12 players and draft choices.
Those picks and subsequent deals provide the Cowboys with a nucleus
that made them the most successful franchise of the '90s.
One of the choices, for example, was used to take Emmitt Smith,
who has eclipsed Walker as a ballcarrier.
Walker began his pro career with the New Jersey Generals of the
USFL in 1982 after winning the Heisman Trophy as a junior at
Georgia. With the Generals, he rushed for 5,562 yards in three
years before the league folded after the 1985 season.
He led the NFC in rushing with 1,516 yards in 1986 but the Cowboys
continued to slide in the ensuing years and as the most marketable
commodity, Walker was trade bait.
He was a disappointment in Minnesota as what the Vikings hoped
would be the "franchise back" to put them into the
Super Bowl. His only other 1,000-yard season was 1992 with Philadelphia,
when he ran for 1,070 yards.
But he did become an all-around offensive threat - catching passes
and returning kicks as well as running. In 1987 with Dallas,
he led the NFL in all-purpose yardage and in 1995 with the Eagles,
he became the first NFL player ever to score from 90 yards or
more in a single season on a kickoff return, from scrimmage and
on a reception.
He is fourth on the NFL's all-purpose career yardage list with
15,881 yards. He also is 18th on the career rushing list with
8,122 yards. Last season was the first time he failed to total
at least 1,000 yards combined rushing and receiving.
Dallas coach Barry Switzer said he expects Walker primarily to
back up fullback Daryl Johnston and Smith while also being a
vital part of all special teams.
"It's a different world today than it was back in '89. I've
always watched Herschel and had a keen interest in him,"
said owner Jerry Jones.
"This is unique for us because it fits so well for us."
He added that Walker gives the team "great experience and
a starting quality player at areas where we really do need the
support or we need the insurance."
Jones would not disclose terms of the contract, but emphasized
that the decision was in no way related to negotiations with
Emmitt Smith.
"It is not intended in any way as a way of saying we can
go without Emmitt or anything like that," he said.
Walker was signed to a three-year deal by the Giants last year
to serve as an all-purpose third-down back.
All content copyright 1996, AP, The Abilene
Reporter-News and Reporter OnLine
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