United States Ambassador Herschel Walker will be the guest of honor and will receive the AutoZone Liberty Bowl’s most prestigious recognition, the Distinguished Citizen Award, on May 31, 2026.
The former Georgia football star and Heisman Trophy winner will receive the award on Sunday, May 31 at the Hilton Memphis Hotel. A cocktail reception will begin at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner and the award presentation at 6:30 p.m. A live auction and silent auction will also be held during the evening, with 100% of all proceeds going to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The 31st Annual AutoZone Liberty Bowl Golf Classic will be held the following day, Monday, June 1 at TPC Southwind.
“Ambassador Walker 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:
- Current United States Ambassador to The Bahamas
- 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 was founded 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. Peter Doherty, 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.
All proceeds from the dinner and auction will benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Individual seats for the dinner may be purchased for $150 or a table of ten (10) seats may be purchased for $1,500. To reserve a table or individual seat, please call the AutoZone Liberty Bowl at (901) 795-7700.
