Two prominent members of the Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry have joined forces in an effort to see that the GOP retakes control of the U.S. Senate after the 2022 midterm elections.

Tuesday, U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) officially issued his endorsement of University of Georgia football legend Herschel Walker in his bid to seek the Peach State’s GOP nomination for the U.S. Senate.

The former Auburn University head football coach proclaimed that Walker, a three-time consensus All-American running back, would serve as a “great addition” to the Senate GOP caucus.

“We need Herschel Walker in the United States Senate. We need him representing our sister state of Georgia and our country,” said Tuberville. “Plus, as an old football coach I need a great running back in Washington, D.C. Herschel will be a great addition and he has my full endorsement.”

Walker’s effort to follow in Tuberville’s footsteps of taking his talents from the gridiron to the halls of Congress has received a groundswell of support among the Republican electorate. Recent polling shows the former Bulldogs Heisman trophy winner garnering 66% of support among likely Republican voters, while the rest of the field polls in the single digits.

Should Walker earn the GOP nod, his performance in the general election could shift the balance of power in the upper chamber of Congress as he would face off against incumbent U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.).

Tuberville and Walker met in Birmingham this past Friday at the Jefferson County Republican Gala, an event honoring Alabama’s junior senator. After the two met, the Georgia Senate hopeful conveyed gratitude to Tuberville for the endorsement

“I want to thank Coach Tuberville for being part of Team Herschel,” expressed Walker.

Dylan Smith is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @DylanSmithAL