Herschel Walker Says Trump Friendship Has Cost Him
LOS ANGELES (CBSNewYork/AP) — Retired NFL player Herschel Walker says he's being dropped from speaking engagements because of his relationship with Donald Trump.
In an interview on the "TMZ Sports" TV show, the Heisman Trophy winner and former "Celebrity Apprentice" contestant said he's known Trump "before he became 'The Donald.'" Walker said the presumptive Republican nominee is not racist.
The former New York Giant told TMZ Sports, "Just because you build a wall, doesn't mean you're a racist."
Trump has faced sharp criticism for his statements on immigration and plan to build a wall along the U.S. border with Mexico.
In the 1980s, Walker played for the USFL's New Jersey Generals, who were owned by Trump.
TMZ asked Walker if he had ever talked to Trump about toning down his rhetoric.
"Let me give you a sample of Donald: Donald once told me -- and this is years ago -- 'Herschel, any publicity's good publicity,'" he said. "I said, 'It's good for you, but not for me.'"
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