President-elect Donald Trump has nominated former University of Georgia football standout Herschel Walker to serve as U.S. ambassador to the Bahamas.
Trump recruited Walker, a longtime friend and ally, to run for the U.S. Senate in 2022, but the Republican lost to incumbent Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock.
“A successful businessman, philanthropist, former Heisman Trophy winner and NFL great, Herschel has been a tireless advocate for youth sports,” Trump posted on his social media site this week. “During my first term, he served as co-chair of the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition.”
Trump and Walker’s friendship goes back to the 1980s, when the United States Football League team Trump owned, the New Jersey Generals, signed Walker to his first professional contract.
Walker is just the latest Republican with Georgia ties nominated by Trump to serve in his administration.
The list includes former Sen. David Perdue, R-Ga., to serve as U.S. ambassador to China, former Sen. Kelly Loeffler, R-Ga., to head the Small Business Administration, and former U.S. Rep. Doug Collins, R-Gainesville, to serve as director of the Veterans Administration.
All of the nominations are subject to confirmation by the Senate, which will be in Republican hands when the new Congress convenes next month.
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