When it comes to Walker, Smart wants his players to "get the picture"

You don’t have to remind even a novice Georgia football fans what Herschel Walker meant to the Bulldog football program on the field.

Besides leading Georgia to the 1980 national title, the former Heisman Trophy winner set a standard in college football that few have ever reached or approached since.

But for many players wearing the Red and Black today, Walker is someone they’ve only read about in books or seen on highlight reels played in Sanford Stadium right before kickoff.

Few have a true appreciation for what Walker has done besides winning a Heisman or being the subject of an SEC Storied documentary. That’s something head coach Kirby Smart wanted to change.

“He’s a first class person. I’ve enjoyed every chance I’ve had to be around him. I think that he represents and embodies what this place is about,” Smart said. “I think it’s important for the players to understand that.”

Walker was in town Saturday, primarily to take part in a reunion event for UGA track, but before that he dropped by Sanford Stadium to see and speak with the current crop of Bulldogs prior to their scrimmage.

“I don’t think the players really know what all this guy has done for the history of the program and what it means for him to come back here and coming to a track meet and be back for that,” Smart said. “He’s giving of himself and I don’t think enough of our guys realize that. I don’t know if our guys are willing to give of their time for whatever it is and this guy has given and done so much for this place.

"I think that’s important for them to know and we told them.”