Donald Trump has put forth the nomination of Herschel Walker, a former National Football League (NFL) player and Georgia Senate candidate, for the position of U.S. ambassador to the Bahamas. This nomination continues a long-standing relationship between Trump and Walker that originated when Walker was part of the United States Football League team.

In a statement on Truth Social, Trump described Walker as a successful entrepreneur, philanthropist, former Heisman Trophy recipient, and NFL legend who has consistently advocated for youth sports.

Walker, who served on Trump’s President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition until March 2022, is being considered for a position that will oversee U.S. relations with the Bahamas. Due to the extensive maritime border shared between the U.S. and the Bahamas, the role is considered vital. Currently, the ambassador position in Nassau is vacant and Senate approval is required for Walker’s nomination.

Walker’s college tenure at the University of Georgia, spanning 1980 to 1982, saw him leading the Bulldogs to an undefeated season and a national championship in 1980. He also won the Heisman Trophy in 1982. Walker later found success in the NFL, making two Pro Bowl appearances.

Walker’s 2022 Senate run in Georgia, against Democratic incumbent Raphael Warnock, was embroiled in controversy. His former wife accused him of threatening her with a gun. Despite his public stance against abortion, two women alleged that he had pressured them to terminate their pregnancies. Walker’s son described the campaign as “a lie.”

Walker’s academic and professional credentials were questioned during the campaign. He inaccurately claimed to have graduated in the top 1% of his class at the University of Georgia and made misleading assertions about having a military career and being an FBI agent. He also had to rectify statements about the number of children he has fathered.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution investigated Walker’s business history during the campaign. While Walker claimed his food service company employed over 600 people, Renaissance Man Food Services reported only eight employees during the pandemic. Court documents unveiled defaults, settlements, and lawsuits alleging Walker and his businesses owed millions in unpaid loans.

Walker’s charitable donations were also questioned. His company claimed to donate 15% of profits to charities, including the Boy Scouts of America and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. However, three of the four charities listed stated they had not received donations from Walker’s company in the past 10 years. PE4Life Foundation, a charity listed as a recipient, had stopped operations in 2014, although Walker’s company claimed it was still receiving donations in 2017.

Walker’s campaign team faced difficulties with message control and fundraising. Insiders noted that Walker and his wife often questioned recommendations from seasoned campaign strategists. The campaign was further challenged by resource allocation issues, as the National Republican Senatorial Committee and Senate Leadership Fund spent considerably less than Warnock and his allies.

Should he be confirmed, Walker would be the second ex-NFL player to become ambassador to the Bahamas, following former linebacker Sid Williams, who served during the Clinton administration. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported in November that Walker was completing his bachelor’s degree and was expected to graduate by year-end.