Megan Prather
Staff Writer
There is no shame in asking for help.
That was the message at the center of the speech former NFL and mixed martial arts star Herschel Walker gave to the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex and the 552nd Air Control Wing on March 25.
Herschel Walker, Heisman Trophy winner and retired NFL player, visited several areas around Tinker, including the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex, the 72nd Air Base Wing, the 552nd Air Control Wing and Strategic Communications Wing ONE March 25-26. Walker encouraged attendees to reach out and seek help and let them know that if they are struggling with mental health issues, that they are not alone. (U.S. Air Force photo/Kelly White)
Throughout the conversation, Walker discussed the challenges he’s overcome throughout his life from a childhood stutter and bullies to training hard to be taken off the bench at the University of Georgia, and eventually winning the Heisman Trophy in 1982.
“Man can’t step on what God has in store for you,” Walker said regaling the crowd with stories of playing in the NFL for the Dallas Cowboys, Minnesota Vikings, Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants including a trading dispute, comical lists of demands for that trade and hanging out with presidents.
However, not all topics covered were as lighthearted. Walker also discussed his experiences in getting help with dissociative identity disorder, also known as multiple personality disorder, a mental disorder that presented him with violent thoughts and anger issues.
At one point, Walker became so angered by the late delivery of a package he decided to take his gun with him when finally going to meet the person. Although he was able to calm himself down before he approached the delivery person, the situation made him realize that he needed to get help.
“Things we can’t handle sometimes, we push it off to someone else,” Walker said. “What was happening to me is I used athletics as my coping mechanism because I didn’t want to deal with all the pain I had right there. We may use alcohol or drugs or anger as a coping mechanism because we don’t want to deal with something else.”
Walker sought help for his mental illness, eventually finding himself with a psychologist who diagnosed him with the disorder and entering a behavioral health facility where they were able to provide him with the help he needed.
“We should never put things off. If you’re going through something, or a family member is going through something or a friend is going through something, it’s time to be accountable,” Walker said. “There’s no shame to say you have a problem. I’m living proof that if you get knocked down, you can get back up and be okay.”
Walker is the national spokesperson for the Patriot Support Program and visits military installations telling his story to encourage service men and women to get help if they need.
If you or someone you know need someone to talk to, contact the Military Crisis Line at 800-273-8255 and select option 1, or text 838255.
For more resources, see the numbers below in the Commander’s Action Line or visit www.dspo.mil/.