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RNC 2020: Herschel Walker slammed for saying Trump isn't 'racist', a look at their 37 years of friendship

Walker met Donald Trump in 1983 when POTUS owned the New Jersey Generals of the United States Football League

After the Democratic National Convention concluded last week, it was time for the Republicans to kick-off their convention. One of the speakers at the Republican National Convention on August 24 was former footballer Herschel Walker. One of the highlights of his speech was the fact that he dismissed the accusation of President Donald Trump being "racist". According to Newsweek, Walker met Trump in 1983 when POTUS owned the New Jersey Generals of the United States Football League. The athlete had been drafted No. 1 overall by the team and Trump had bought the team just one year after it was formed. The two men have now been friends for 37 years.

Walker started his August 24 speech by saying, "I am not an actor, singer or politician. Most of you know me as a football player but I am also a father, a man of faith and a very good judge of character." He goes on to describe his relationship with Trump saying, "I have known Donald Trump for 37 years. And I don't mean we just casually ran into each other from time to time. I'm talking about a deep personal friendship."

He continued, "I watched him as the owner of a professional football team. Right after he bought the team, he set out to learn. He learned about the history of the team, the players, the coaches. Every detail. Then he used what he learned to make the team better." Walker said, "I watched him treat the janitors, security guards, and waiters the same way he would treat a VIP. He made them feel special because he knew they were. He understands that they are the people who make this country run. They clean. They cook. They build. They drive. They deliver. He told me, ‘Herschel, make an effort to get to know people. Remember their names’. That stuck with me."

He further emphasized on their personal relationship and narrated, "One time, I had planned to take his kids to Disney World with my family. At the last minute, Donald said he'd like to join us. So there he was, in a business suit, on the ‘It's a Small World’ ride. That was something to see. It just shows you what a caring, loving father he is." He added, "It hurts my soul to hear the terrible names that people call Donald. The worst one is racist. I take it as a personal insult that people would think I would have a 37-year friendship with a racist. People don’t know what they are talking about. Growing up in the deep south, I have seen racism up close. I know what it is. And it isn’t Donald Trump."

Walker defended his friend further by saying, "Just because someone loves and respects the flag, our National Anthem, and our country doesn’t mean they don’t care about social justice. I care about all of those things, and so does Donald Trump. He shows how much he cares about social justice and the Black community through his actions. And his actions speak louder than stickers or slogans on a jersey. He keeps right on fighting to improve the lives of black Americans and all Americans."

He went on to say, "I pray every night that God gives him more time. Give him four more years. He has accomplished so much almost all by himself under constant attack. But there’s still more work to be done." He concluded the speech by saying, "Donald Trump is your president. He is my president. And I am blessed to call him friend."

According to Atlanta Journal Constitution report, Walker, who had also supported Trump during the 2016 elections, was appointed by the president as co-chair of the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition, with former New York Yankee Mariano Rivera and three-time beach volleyball gold medalist Misty May-Treanor. In that interview as well, Walker defended his friend being called a racist. The report quotes him saying, "I’m, like, ‘Do you even know what racism is?’ It’s sad when you hear that because people use it so lightly. Racism is a lot deeper than that. Just because you disagree with somebody today, whether it’s the president of the United States or somebody else, the first thing people say is ‘racism,’ and that’s what’s sad."

The report states that the duo has been involved in business deals as well, including a stint on Trump’s reality TV show, 'The Apprentice'. Speaking about Trump he had said, "Being around him as much as I was while I was in his family, I was able to see that. What’s so unique about it is we’re still close. You know, we always talk. I’m still close with his family, especially Ivanka and Little Donald. When they were growing up, they were with me a lot." The report also states that Walker was empathetic towards the stress POTUS must be under during the global pandemic.

However, netizens weren’t impressed by Walker defending Trump on the racism allegations. One user said, "I'm officially DONE with this bull***t show. He's got Herschel Walker up there tap dancing saying that Trump isn't a racist, and I just can't. Sorry, guys... I tried."

One said, "Fyi, Herschel Walker damn well know’s Trump is a racist. He just doesn’t care, here’s a pic from ‘Celebrity Apprentice’ finale. @realDonaldTrump @HerschelWalker."

Another commented, "Herschel Walker says it hurts his soul to hear people call the terrible names they call Donald. And the worst one is, racist. I say, I’m sorry your soul doesn’t expect to be treated better than by the likes of @realDonaldTrump #Racist."

Another said, "Well there you have it, Herschel Walker's soul hurts and therefore Trump is not a racist... what incredible depth. Herschel Walker should of taken a knee, and sat this one out #whatever."

One user stated, "Don’t be shocked by Herschel Walker saying @realDonaldTrump isn’t racist, be shocked that a sitting POTUS, at the RNC, needs someone to tell people he isn’t racist."

Trump also shared the speech on Twitter and one user quoted it and mocked, "Was Kanye busy?"

Another said, "Well now listening to Herschel Walker rant & rave about how Trump is a friend of Black Americans. I think Herschel took a few too many blow to the head during his football career. Donald Trump is a total racist."