Kevin Sherrington

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KILLEEN, Texas – They came on canes and crutches and knee braces and walking boots, about 50 Fort Hood soldiers in all, and that wasn't the half of their wounds.

Some scars you can see. Some you can't.

They came to hear from Herschel Walker, who talked to them about pain that isn't always so obvious.

In his book, Breaking Free, Herschel revealed his struggles with dissociative identity disorder, or what once was called multiple personality disorder. Since the book's release, Herschel has been all over telling his story, from TV to high schools to military bases, the last in conjunction with University Behavioral Health out of Denton.

Herschel still looks good at 47. Claims he eats only one meal a day. Soup, mostly. Gave up red meat 15 years ago. Turns out he doesn't eat much chicken, either, which can't be good for his company's chicken sales. But Herschel always worked in unconventional ways. Still says his V-shaped torso is the result of thousands of push-ups, pull-ups, sit-ups and dips. Whether you believe him or not, whatever he's doing, it's working.

In a 30-minute monologue at Fort Hood last week, he retold his remarkable story.

Growing up poor in tiny Wrightsville, Ga., the fat kid with a stutter, bullied and browbeaten, he builds up, beats the impediment and fashions himself into the nation's top football recruit.

He leads Georgia to a national title and wins a Heisman and stars in Dallas, where he helps build Jimmy and Jerry's dynasty, if only by playing the centerpiece to the trade that led to Super Bowls. He never enjoys the kind of success in the NFL that he did in college, but then again, when you're voted the second-best college football player ever, it's a tough act to follow.

And this is what he tells the soldiers: "I didn't even really like football."

He tells them what were once long-held secrets. Voices in his head. Living a lie. Playing Russian roulette.

Herschel finally sought treatment, and this was his message to the troops:

STEVEN DOLL / Special to DMN

Ex-Cowboy Herschel Walker (right) talks about his struggles with dissociative identity disorder with wounded soldiers at Fort Hood.

"If you've got a problem, there's no shame in getting help."

Message received.

"I'm dealing with a lot of issues," said Brent Homan, 30, a staff sergeant from Sioux City, Iowa. "It's good to hear him say he's got problems, too."

Junior Greene, 25, a staff sergeant from the Virgin Islands, was shot in the face three years ago by a sniper in Iraq. Unlike Herschel's scars, his are obvious. He's dealing with them.

No matter what your pain, you have to confront it, whether you're a soldier or Herschel Walker.

"Celebrities have problems, too," Greene said. "He's taking care of himself. Good luck to him.

"And good luck to my Cowboys, too."

■ Listening to Jerry Jones describe his 60-yard screen unveiled at JerryWorld the other day, you had to be struck by his seeming need to explain how it will be used. Hey, Jerry: It's a big ol' TV. We get it.

■ Losing three straight to the Tigers ended the Rangers' winning streak, but the more important point is that the streak of good starting pitching continued, nonetheless. One step at a time.

■ When a starter goes out on a good club, another steps up. Derek Holland didn't do anything to disappoint Friday against the Astros in replacing Vicente Padilla. Most stunning development: He's a switch-hitter. Didn't help his bunting, though.

■ Chiba Lotte officials have already said Bobby Valentine won't be retained after this season, probably because of his $3.9 million salary. But fans are petitioning management to bring him back. Bobby V. was well-liked by fans most of his tenure with the Rangers, but never anything like this

■ Funny how the Cowboys say they have no interest in Mike Vick at quarterback. Here's betting he never plays another down at the position, per se. In the Wildcat formation, maybe, but not as an every-down QB. He wasn't having much success even before taking two years off.

■ Baron Davis running the point for the Mavs? He might be available, and he absolutely killed them in the playoffs. But despite his great size, he breaks down and plays hard only when interested, which isn't enough.

■ The Mavs need an off-guard who can make up for Jason Kidd 's defensive deficiencies. Antoine Wright? Only if his offensive contributions improve markedly.

■ As Rory Sabbatini answered questions at a news conference at the Nelson on Friday, one of his interrogators was his wife, Amy. Asked to describe their relationship, Amy said, "It's a little like Ricky and Lucy."

■ Best description of the problem with winning on the PGA Tour comes from Charles Howell III: "You're never really the same two days in a row. You always feel a little different every day."

■ The Pirate says whatever he wants, which can be fun. But when Mike Leach says he's got "more where they came from," no, he doesn't. Not any more Michael Crabtrees, anyway.