Herschel Walker, famed running back turned unsuccessful Republican Senate candidate, is not done with politics. On Tuesday, President-elect Donald Trump nominated Walker as the next U.S. ambassador to the Bahamas. The appointment would fill a long-vacant position and continue Trump’s long association with Walker.

Trump said Walker ‘will make Georgia, and our entire Nation, proud’

In a social media post, Trump stated he was “pleased to nominate Herschel Walker as United States Ambassador to the Commonwealth of the Bahamas.”

The incoming president said, “Herschel has spent decades serving as an Ambassador to our Nation’s youth, our men and women in the Military, and athletes at home and abroad” and described Walker as “a successful businessman, philanthropist, former Heisman Trophy winner, and NFL Great” and noted that Walker “has traveled to over 400 Military installations around the World,” among other activities.

Sticking with the theme that has characterized his political career, Trump declared to Walker, “you will make Georgia, and our entire Nation, proud, because we know you will always put AMERICA FIRST!”

Connections to Trump throughout a long career

The nomination is the latest in Walker’s unusual political career and the latest sign of his closeness to Trump. Walker is best known for his football career, winning the Heisman Trophy in 1982 before playing professionally for the New Jersey Generals in the United States Football League and then several NFL teams. Trump owned the Generals during Walker’s time on the team, and Trump even mentioned the running back in his book The Art of the Deal. During Trump’s first term, Walker served as one of the chairs of the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition. Trump then chose Walker to run for the U.S. Senate against Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock. Despite running as a conservative in Republican-leaning Georgia, Walker lost the election as a series of gaffes and scandals marked his campaign. Walker, who left college early to play professional football, recently completed his degree at the University of Georgia, 42 years after leaving the school to go pro.

Filling a long-vacant role, if he is confirmed

While Walker has little political experience and no history with diplomacy, it is not unusual for ambassadorships to be given to political allies or donors. For example, the most recent ambassador to the country was Nicole Avant, daughter of famed music executive Clarence Avant, who served during the early years of the Obama administration after being one of the top fundraisers for his campaign. Since Avant left the role in 2011, Presidents Obama, Trump, and Biden have each nominated at least one person to serve as ambassador to the Bahamas. Still, these nominations have stalled in the Senate or been withdrawn. Walker’s nomination would have to be taken up by the Senate and confirmed by a majority of its members before he could assume the post.

Whether Walker’s nomination will be considered soon remains to be seen. But for now, at least, his nomination signals that the football star’s unlikely political career and longtime association with Trump continue to endure.

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