Today in College Football History: Herschel Walker Brings the Pain on Bill Bates
By Kyle Kensing
A name synonymous with college football first arrived in the public consciousness this day 31 years ago, and he did so in spectacular fashion. Like Michael Jordan’s jumper to beat Georgetown in the 1982 national championship game, Herschel Walker’s meteoric rise to super stardom began with a single play his freshman year. Walker came on as Georgia’s third string running back in the Sept. 6, 1980 contest vs. Tennessee. Vince Dooley cracked open the door of opportunity. Walker barrelled through both it, as well as Bill Bates. Bates was an All-American safety, but served as little more than a poorly supported tackling dummy against Walker.
The freshman’s touchdown proved instrumental, as Georgia came edged the Volunteers 16-15.
His end zone jaunt was a sign of things to come beyond just the football field. Bates was simply the first victim in a long line of individuals to take a walloping from him, as three decades later he’s still punishing opponents. Greg Nagy or Bill Bates: who came out worse for the wear?