AutoZone Liberty Bowl Honors Herschel Walker

AutoZone Liberty Bowl Honors Herschel Walker with Distinguished Citizen Award for 2026

Heisman Trophy Winner, NFL Star, Olympian, BusinessmanFeatured at event benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Memphis, TN – Former Georgia and NFL star Herschel Walker will be the guest of honor and receive the AutoZone Liberty Bowl’s most prestigious recognition, the Distinguished Citizen Award. The former Heisman Trophy winner will receive the award at the Hilton Memphis Hotel. 100% of all proceeds from the event go to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

“Herschel joins a decades-long list of renowned Americans who have distinguished themselves and reached the pinnacle of their chosen field,” said Steve Ehrhart, Executive Director of the AutoZone Liberty Bowl. “Herschel is a true “Renaissance Man”, and we are proud to include him among the nationally known luminaries who have been honored by the AutoZone Liberty Bowl over our 68-year history.”

About Herschel Walker:- All-American RB at Georgia- 1982 Heisman Trophy Winner- 1985 USFL MVP- NFL Pro Bowl RB with Dallas Cowboys- 1992 U.S. Olympian (Bobsled)- 1999 College Football Hall of Fame Inductee- MMA Fighter- Businessman, founded Renaissance Man Food Service- President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition-About the Distinguished Citizen Award:As the 7th oldest college football bowl game in America, the AutoZone Liberty Bowl wasfounded on the principles of freedom, patriotism and liberty. One of the Bowl’s time honored traditions is the annual presentation of the Distinguished Citizen Award.

The award has been presented to a cross section of prominent Americans from a wide range of professions, including military commanders, governors and congressmen, as well as leaders in business,medicine, education, entertainment and sports. Previous honorees include St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital founder Danny Thomas, Entertainer Elvis Presley, U.S. Army General Kenneth Tovo, Nobel Prize recipient Dr. PeterDoherty, FedEx founder Fred Smith, AutoZone founder Pitt Hyde, U.S. Navy Admiral William Lawrence, Holiday Inn founder Kemmons Wilson and actress/business entrepreneur Priscilla Presley.Legends from broadcasting and sports such as Roone Arledge, Lindsey Nelson, Chris Schenkel,Paul “Bear” Bryant, Bobby Bowden, Lou Holtz, Tony Dungy, Lee Corso, Darrell Waltrip, Dick Vitale, Archie Manning, Tim McCarver, Peyton Manning, Steve Spurrier, Joe Theismann and last year’s recipient Verne Lundquist have also received the award.

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