U.S. Senate candidate Herschel Walker speaks during livestock auction at Athens cattle barn

The celebrity politician walked through a side door next to the auctioneer stand shortly before noon Wednesday as the last of the goats was sold by the fast-talking salesman who commanded the action.

The politician was dressed in red-and-black clothing, the words "Herschel's Famous 34" embroidered on his shirt and wearing a necklace with a gold pendant of an angel. The broad-shoulder man was unmistakable.

Herschel Walker, the Republican U.S. Senate candidate challenging incumbent Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock, was a guest in Athens at the Northeast Georgia Livestock Barn off Winterville Road on one of its live auction days.

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Moments after Walker strode into the arena-type chamber, the auctioneer knew it was time to pause business.

"We'll be back with the cows in a little bit," the auctioneer told the audience of mostly men. "We got a few things going on."

After a round of introductory applause, Walker was quick to connect with the animal bidders, sellers and folks who dropped by to see the candidate.

He told a joke with both a religious and political punch line, then he noted how he grew up in the small rural town of Wrightsville just over an hour's drive south of the University of Georgia, where 40 years ago during his life on campus he became a football legend. 

"I grew up with goats, cows and crap on my feet. Did my opponent grow up like that? I know what you guys are going through. I stand with all farmers," he said to applause.

Walker railed against the current economy.

"I'm tired of gas prices being $5. I'm tired of this inflation," he said, noting the spiraling prices of diesel fuel and fertilizer "going off the roof."

He accused Warnock of not protecting Georgia from China, a country he said was taking jobs away from Americans.

"Why is he not trying to get this inflation down. Why is he not trying to get gas prices down," Walker said about the man he also described as being soft on crime.

After his speech, Walker briefly met with members of the media, where he was asked about a debate with Warnock, something Walker said the Warnock campaign would have to discuss with his campaign managers.

"I'm running a campaign like I want to," he said, later adding, "I'm ready to debate."

Walker also voiced support for reopening oil fields and getting rid of oil-field regulations as a way to alleviate inflation.

Walker asserted that President Joe Biden is taking the country in the wrong direction and Warnock is voting for the president's policies 96 percent of the time.

One reporter asked about his reported claims to have graduated UGA among the top of his graduating class.

Walker denied he said that, explaining that he graduated near the top of his high school class.

Another asked if he thought Biden had won Georgia in the presidential election fair and square over Donald Trump.

"I have no clue," said Walker, who shortly excused himself to sign autographs and pose for photos.