Not too long ago a quarterback out of Alabama did the same thing with the American Football League. We know him now as Broadway Joe Namath. He made it big very quickly (by winning Super Bowl III), but he finished college first.

Not so with Herschel. The minute negotiations began with the Generals he knew his college eligibility under NCAA rules was shot. The USFL made sure by forcing Walker to confer at least twice with the League's counsel, Steve Earhart.

Decisions, Decisions

In the end, it's hard to fault Walker for going after the money. Walker is a 20-year-old college junior. So is this reporter, Given the choice between studying for midterms next week or signing a football contract and becoming a million dollars richer overnight (courtesy of its bonus), I'm sure I'd opt for the latter.

But in this case the money doesn't justify Walker's approach to getting it. By secretly pursuing negotiations with the USFL. Walker intentionally shielded the truth from Coach Dooley, who fully expected his star to play out his senior year.

Moreover, Walker lied to his Georgia teammates and fans-the same people who made his success possible-by repeatedly denying the fact that he'd signed a contract with the Generals late last week. His pubic apology Wednesday, in this view, just doesn't cut it.

Kidding Around

Having finally learned the truth Wednesday night. Coach Dooley addressed reporters yesterday with these words: "A lot of you have said Herschel lied to me. Yes, he did, but my children have lied to me about some very important things. Yes, I'm mad and I'm hurt that he lied. But those things happen and it doesn't stop you from loving them."

A good coach, I suppose, stands by his players even when they no longer stand by him. But a different set of rules prevails for fans and reporters.

For my part, the Herschel Walker fairly tale has been irretrievably shattered. Walker as a collegiate hero no longer exists. A millionaire professional has taken his place.