Skip to content

Falcons invite 53-year-old Herschel Walker to training camp

Matt Strasen-US PRESSWIRE / Reuters

Former running back Herschel Walker recently claimed he could still play in the NFL at the age of 53. Now, he has an opportunity to prove it.

Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn extended a training camp invite to Walker on Tuesday, according to D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, saying the team has a spot open for him if he's serious about making a comeback.

"Yes," Quinn said. "He's one of my all-time favorite players. Yeah, we have room for him.

"For him, the legacy he left at Georgia. ... He'd definitely fit in great from a competitive standpoint."

Update: The idea was fun while it lasted. According to the Falcons' digital content manager, Quinn was only joking about inviting Walker to camp.

Walker has been competing in mixed martial arts for the past five years, so it's not like he's out of shape. He also claims he can still run 4.3 in the 40-yard dash.

If Walker does suit up again, he'll overtake former quarterback/kicker George Blanda as the oldest player in NFL history. Blanda last played in 1975 at the age of 48.

- With h/t to CBS Sports

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox