Making an Impact from Two Perspectives:
PUBLISHED March/April 2008

Every once in a while, thunder and lightening come together and create something electrical that transfers energy and the end result is often, do I dare say dangerous. That is the effect this dynamic duo is striving to accomplish in the Central Florida area. They dare to be dangerous, by positively impacting the lives of all that they meet; and through collaborative efforts and the support of the organization they are both employed by, I’m sure we will see them do just that in the coming year.

   McCurey “Herkie” Walls was born on July 18, 1961.  One of his biggest influences growing up was his grandfather, Reverend L.W. Wilson.  It was through the lessons imparted by his grandfather that Herkie’s sense of values developed.  “Don’t ever forget about the man upstairs was a common theme in what my grandfather told me growing up, and they are words I try to live by every day.”

   Herkie was a tremendous athlete growing up and he decided to attend the University of Texas on a football scholarship.  While at Texas, Herkie says he learned a lot from Fred Akers, the Head Coach and Wide Receivers coach and a man whose message of character and faith were similar to what Herkie’s grandfather told him as a child.  “Coach Akers told me that you should always visualize your goals and believe in yourself, because you need faith in yourself so that you can accomplish what you set your mind to.”

   After his illustrious career with the University of Texas as a Wide receiver, Coach Walls was selected in the 1983 NFL Draft by the Houston Oilers (now the Tennessee Titans).  After three seasons with the Oilers, Coach Walls signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and played one last season in the NFL.  After leaving the NFL, Herkie decided to join the Orlando Predators of the Arena Football League (AFL).  It was with the Predators that Herkie met the third man in his life that he believes was instrumental in helping him to get to where he is now, Perry Moss.  Coach Moss was the Head Coach of the Orlando Predators when Herkie played for them.  “Coach Moss taught me a lot about the arena game and about how an offense should operate,” Walls said. After a very successful six-year career in the AFL, in 2000 Herkie Walls was inducted into the AFL Hall of Fame.

   Coach Walls will get the opportunity to teach the life lessons and skills that were taught to him by his grandfather and his former coaches when he leads the Daytona Beach ThunderBirds this season.  The ThunderBirds are in their first season of competition in the Arena Football Family, af2 and there is no better coach to lead a new and young team than Coach Walls. Character, faith and integrity are not just values that Coach Walls strives to develop for himself.  They are also the values he is looking for in players and he will do his best to help his players develop those values as well. “Men are role models,” Coach Walls emphatically stated.  “Many children and adults look up to us, so we must have a higher standard both on the field and off the field as well. This is a world full of darkness that my players and I need to shine a bright light on.” This was a subject of particular interest to Coach Walls and you could see the passion in his eyes as he spoke about the role he believes he has, as someone who has been entrusted in developing the young men on his football team. “I look at my role as a coach as someone who has to work on developing the player and the human being.  I realize that when football is all said and done, these players need to be ready for life and I need to help them prepare for that.”

   Ask anyone that knows him, about who he is and two things that will always be mentioned are his unwavering faith and character. “I have been fortunate to know Herkie as a player and as a coach and I find it remarkable that he has always managed to be competitive without sacrificing any of his Christian beliefs, ideals and principles through it all.  Herkie will have a tremendous impact on the field but he will develop his players even more so as men.  He will help them with their game but more importantly he will help them with their lives“, according to Steve Deluca, ownership partner of the Orlando Predators and President of All-Star Sports Training.

   Outside of his passion for football, Coach Walls is passionate about other things as well. He is an ordained Minister at Eastside Baptist Church and enjoys assisting his Pastor, Dr. Shane Stutzman, in any way that he can. Coach Walls also enjoys running and lifting weights in his spare time and to relieve stress. He is also a proud husband of 17 years. He and his wife, Renee, are the proud parents of two children, daughter Chantal, and son Caleb Hercules.

   Coach Walls is available for speaking engagements. Please contact the Daytona Beach Public Relations Department at (407) 805-8855 for additional information.