Herschel Walker Visits with Camp Johnson Marines

He's a football legend, a reality star and CEO of a successful food company. But it's what you don't know about Herschel Walker that might surprise you. Today, Walker shared his story about his struggle with dissociative identity disorder. And he was talking with Marines at Camp Johnson. He says mental illness is a fight that can be won, off the football or the battle field.

Heisman trophy winner Herschel Walker may be done dodging tackles on the football field, but he continues to tackle his mental illness head-on.

Now, Walker is taking his message of success on the road, speaking to 150 students and staff at the Marine Corps Combat Support School at Camp Johnson.

Recent statistics show many in the military suffer from some type of mental illness and many are too afraid to come forward and get help.

"You’re talking about men and women who are the elite of the elite. It doesn't mean that you're weak or any less of a person because you have a problem, what it means is that you are human," Walker said.

Those who heard him say it's a message and a lesson they can all learn from.

"What he was saying was just real life stuff that everybody can relate to."

"Through everything, his whole story, he had faith in God and he was deep rooted in God and came from nothing to something," Private Joshua Conn said.

"He was determined to change himself, his body, he changed the way he was and how, if you focus yourself, you can do whatever you really want to do," Private First Class William Scott said.

Walker says he hopes those who suffer from mental illnesses will step up and realize they can seize victory no matter where they are.

"I think you have to be honest. You know, I think they go through so much and they've been hiding it; they're afraid to admit it. They hear me and they see I have a smile and I hope it encourages them," Walker said.

Walker also took time to thank those in uniform. He says it's not football heroes or baseball stars who are the true athletes; it's the men and women of the military.

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What do a Heisman trophy winner and a military member have in common?

They're tackling self-esteem problems off the football and battle fields.

Former Georgia football and NFL star Herschel Walker shared his story with around 150 students and staff at the Marine Corps Combat Service Support School at Camp Johnson today.

Walker, who suffers from dissociative identity disorder, talked about the challenges he faced and how he was able to overcome them.

He says he's not ashamed to admit his problems and that military members shouldn't be either.

We'll have more on Walker's visit tonight on Eyewitness News 9 Nightside.