Walter Payton

NFLretired


position=Half back
number=34
birthdate=birth date|mf=yes|1954|7|25
Columbia, Mississippi
deathdate=death date and age|mf=yes|1999|11|1|1954|7|25
South Barrington, Illinois
debutyear=1975
finalyear=1987
draftyear=1975
draftround=1
draftpick=4
college=Jackson State
teams=
*Chicago Bears (1975-1987)
stat1label=Rushing Yards
stat1value=16,726
stat2label=Average
stat2value=4.4
stat3label=Touchdowns
stat3value=110
nfl=PAY738296
highlights=
* 9x Pro Bowl selection (1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986)
* 9x All-Pro selection (1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986)
* 1977 NFL MVP
* 1977 PFWA NFL MVP
* 1977 NEA NFL MVP
* 1985 UPI NFC Player of the Year
* 1977 UPI NFC Player of the Year
* 1977 Bert Bell Award
* 1978 Pro Bowl MVP
* Super Bowl XX Champion
HOF=174
HOFYear=1993
CollegeHOF=70028

Walter Jerry Payton (July 25, 1954 – November 1, 1999) was an American football player, who played for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League. He is remembered as one of the most prolific running backs in the history of American football. Payton, a nine-time Pro Bowl selection, once held the League’s record for most career rushing yards, touchdowns, carries, and many other categories. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1993. NFL player and coach Mike Ditka described Payton as the greatest football player he had ever seen - but even greater as a human being. [http://www.nytimes.com/books/00/10/15/bib/001015.rv080804.html Never Die Easy: The Autobiography of Walter Payton.] New York Times book review of "Never Die Easy". Michael Lichtenstein, 2000.]

Payton began his football career in Mississippi, and went on to have an outstanding collegiate football career at Jackson State University. He started his professional career with the Bears in 1975, who selected him as the 1975 Draft’s fourth overall pick. Payton proceeded to win two NFL Player of the Year Awards, and won Super Bowl XX with the 1985 Chicago Bears. After struggling with the rare liver disease, primary sclerosing cholangitis, for several months, Payton died on November 1, 1999.

College career

Although Payton had established himself as one of the state’s top running back prospects, he received no invitations from Southeastern Conference colleges and universities, which were accepting only a few black players at the time. cite book | author = Walter Payton | coauthors = Don Yaeger| publisher = Random House | title = Never Die Easy | year =2001 | id =ISBN 0375758216 ] He decided to pursue his collegiate career at the historically African-American, Jackson State University, where his older brother Eddie had played football.Payton34.com, [http://www.payton34.org/walter/biography.aspx Walter Payton Biography] , Retrieved on May 16, 2007. ] BearsHistory.com, [http://www.bearshistory.com/lore/walterpayton.aspx Walter Payton, Bears RB, 1975-1987] , Retrieved on May 16, 2007. ]

While attending Jackson State, Payton played alongside many future professional football players, including Jerome Barkum, Robert Brazile, and Jackie Slater. As a member of the Jackson State Tigers, Payton rushed over 3,500 yards, averaging 6.1 yards per carry. He also broke the NCAA’s scoring record by rushing for 65 touchdowns during his college career. Payton finished fourth in the Heisman Trophy voting, leading many to speculate that he would have earned more national recognition if he had attended a better-known college. [ [http://www.bearshistory.com/lore/walterpayton.aspx Walter Payton, Bears RB, 1975-1987] . BearsHistory.com, 2002.] Payton graduated in 1975 with a Bachelor's degree in communication.Payton34.com, [http://www.payton34.org/walter/biography.aspx Walter Payton Biography] , Retrieved on May 16, 2007. ] BearsHistory.com, [http://www.bearshistory.com/lore/walterpayton.aspx Walter Payton, Bears RB, 1975-1987] , Retrieved on May 16, 2007.]

He acquired the nickname "Sweetness" in college. This name was ambiguous: it is variously said to have stemmed from his personality, from his athletic grace, or as an ironic description of his aggressive playing style. [ [http://www.pbs.org/wnet/aaworld/reference/articles/walter_payton.html Walter Payton.] PBS, 2002] .]

Professional career

1975–1982

On January 28, 1975, the Chicago Bears drafted Payton in the first round, as the fourth overall pick. The Bears had endured several losing seasons after the retirement of the iconic Gale Sayers in 1972. Payton's first game was not particularly successful; he was held to zero net rushing yards on eight attempts. His best performance of the season was the final game against the New Orleans Saints, where he rushed for 134 yards on 20 carries. Payton finished the season with only 679 yards and seven touchdowns.Payton34.com, [http://www.payton34.org/walter/biography.aspx Walter Payton Biography] , Retrieved on May 16, 2007. ] BearsHistory.com, [http://www.bearshistory.com/lore/walterpayton.aspx Walter Payton, Bears RB, 1975-1987] , Retrieved on May 16, 2007. ] [cite web |url= http://www.bearshistory.com/seasons/1970schicagobears.aspx|title=1970's Chicago Bears: Peaks & Valleys]

Payton was eager to improve his performance. During the 1976 NFL season, Payton rushed for over 1,000 yards and scored 17 touchdowns. Following the season, he was selected to play in the 1977 Pro Bowl, where he was declared the Pro Bowl MVP. The following year, he rushed for 1,852 yards during the 1977 NFL season, and scored 16 touchdowns, becoming the league’s leading scorer for the season. He earned numerous awards that season, including the Associated Press and Pro Football Writers of America’s Most Valuable Player awards. His most memorable game of the season was against the Minnesota Vikings on November 20, where he rushed for a then-record 275 yards on 40 carries while combating the flu. By the end of the decade, Payton had received additional accolades for his exploits as a blocker, receiver, emergency punter, and quarterback.Payton34.com, [http://www.payton34.org/walter/biography.aspx Walter Payton Biography] , Retrieved on May 16, 2007. ] BearsHistory.com, [http://www.bearshistory.com/lore/walterpayton.aspx Walter Payton, Bears RB, 1975-1987] , Retrieved on May 16, 2007. ] [cite web |url= http://www.chicagobears.com/tradition/hof-payton.asp|title=34 Walter Payton]

1983–1986

Despite Payton’s, the Bears struggled to assemble consecutive winning seasons, landing only two playoff berths since his arrival. The lack of success prompted the Bears’ management to replace Neill Armstrong with Mike Ditka for the season that began in fall of 1982. Ditka, a tight end during the 1960s and 1970s who would also join the Pro Football Hall of Fame, led the Bears to a 3–6 (strike-shortened) record in 1982. He led the Bears to an 8-8 finish in 1983 and a 10-6 finish in 1984. Payton continued his success by rushing for over 1,400 yards in both seasons. On October 7, 1984, Payton broke Jim Brown's career rushing record.

In 1985, Payton rushed for over 1,500 yards, while helping the Bears establish the league’s second best offense (in its entire history). The Bear's 46 defense of that season would go on to become one of the best in NFL history setting a record for points allowed. [ [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/06/13/AR2005061301547.html R. Ryan Takes Baltimore Defense Back to '86 With the 46] . Washington Post, June 14, 2005.] Payton performed with his teammates in the widely-released 1985 music video "The Super Bowl Shuffle". The Bears went on to a 15-1 record that culminated in a 46-10 victory over the New England Patriots at Super Bowl XX. Although Payton's offensive prowess had assisted the Bears throughout the 1985 season, the New England Patriots prevented him from reaching the end zone. According to quarterback Jim McMahon, he was targeted by two or three defensive Patriots during each play. [cite book | author = Walter Payton | coauthors = Don Yaeger| publisher = Random House | title = Never Die Easy | year =2001 | page =124 | id =ISBN 0375758216 ]

In a later interview, Ditka stated that Payton's lack of a touchdown in this game was one of his major regrets.Payton34.com, [http://www.payton34.org/walter/biography.aspx Walter Payton Biography] , Retrieved on May 16, 2007. ] BearsHistory.com, [http://www.bearshistory.com/lore/walterpayton.aspx Walter Payton, Bears RB, 1975-1987] , Retrieved on May 16, 2007. ] [cite web|url=http://www.bearshistory.com/seasons/1985chicagobears.aspx
title=1985 Chicago Bears-World Champions Again|language=English]

1986−1987

Payton, who was a twelve-year veteran, amassed 1,333 yards in the 1986 NFL season. The Bears won the NFC Central Division, but lost to the Washington Redskins 27-13 in the divisional round. At the end of the 1986 season, he announced that he would retire after completing the 1987 NFL season. During his last season with the Bears, Payton split carries with his successor, Neal Anderson, and only rushed for 533 yards. Payton's career ended with another loss to the Washington Redskins in the divisional round of the playoffs by the score of 21-17 on January 10, 1988. Over his entire career, Payton rushed for 16,726 yards, and scored 110 touchdowns. He also caught 492 passes for 4,538 yards and 15 touchdowns. Payton set several team records, including most career rushing yards, receptions, and touchdowns. His jersey number was retired by the Bears, and he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1993.Payton34.com, [http://www.payton34.org/walter/biography.aspx Walter Payton Biography] , Retrieved on May 16, 2007. ] BearsHistory.com, [http://www.bearshistory.com/lore/walterpayton.aspx Walter Payton, Bears RB, 1975-1987] , Retrieved on May 16, 2007. ] The only game he missed in his 13-year career came in his rookie season of 1975. In a 34-3 loss at the Pittsburgh Steelers on October 19th, Payton was healthy and dressed for the game but did not see action after averaging 0.0 yards on 10 attempts the previous week. [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4155/is_19991102/ai_n13843702 Payton's legacy: How sweet it is.] Chicago Sun-Times, November 2, 1999.]

Playing style

Payton's motto was "Never Die Easy" (also the title of his posthumously published autobiography), a goal which he attributed to his coach at Jackson State, Bob Hill. In practice this meant that he refused to deliberately run out-of-bounds, and always delivered some punishment to his tacklers before being forced off the field or forced down. cite book | author = Walter Payton | coauthors = Don Yaeger| publisher = Random House | title = Never Die Easy | year =2001 | id =ISBN 0375758216 ]

One of Payton's signature maneuvers was the "stutter-step", a high-stepping, irregularly-paced run. He developed this as a way to distract his pursuers during long runs, saying that it startled them into thinking and gave him some advantage over players who were actually faster runners. He revived the practice of stiff-arming his tacklers, which had gone out of favor among running backs in the 1970s. [ [http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/Features/NFList/2007/nflist2213.htm Brown, Payton delivered the pain] Pro Football Weekly, 2007.] At times he used his high school experience as a long jumper to leap over his opponents, landing on his head in the end zone to gain a touchdown in a game against the Buffalo Bills. [ [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/nfl/daily/nov99/02/wilpayton2.htm Sweetness, Till the Bitter End] . Washington Post, November 2, 1999.] His running gait was somewhat unusual, as his knees were minimally bent, and the motion was largely powered from the hip. [http://archive.profootballweekly.com/content/archives/features_1999/payton2_110199.asp Main ingredient in 'Sweetness' was heart] Pro Football Weekly, August 1, 1993.] This may have given his knees, a football player's most vulnerable joints, some protection, although he underwent arthroscopic surgery on both knees in 1983. He referred to this procedure as an 11,000-yard checkup. [http://archive.profootballweekly.com/content/archives/features_1999/payton2_110199.asp Main ingredient in 'Sweetness' was heart] Pro Football Weekly, August 1, 1993.]

After scoring a touchdown, Payton declined to celebrate; instead, he would often hand the ball to his teammates. He disapproved of the growing practice of touchdown celebrations; he preferred post-game antics such as rushing into the locker room and locking his fellow teammates out in the cold while taking a long shower.

While Payton might have won the respect of his peers and coaches by his running alone, he made 492 receptions over his career and was a consistent threat in the passing game. [ [http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/member.jsp?player_id=174 Walter Payton] Pro Football Hall of Fame, 2007.]

Personal life

Payton married Connie Norwood in 1976. The couple had two children, Brittney and Jarrett Payton, and resided in South Barrington, Illinois. In 1995, Walter, along with many other investors, sought to bring an NFL expansion team to Saint Louis, Missouri. Although an NFL strongly favored a franchise in St. Louis, their efforts were thwarted due to internal dissension amongst the investment group members [http://www.nytimes.com/books/00/10/15/bib/001015.rv080804.html Never Die Easy: The Autobiography of Walter Payton.] New York Times book review of "Never Die Easy". Michael Lichtenstein, 2000.] leading the NFL award franchises to investment groups in Jacksonville, Florida (Jacksonville Jaguars) and Charlotte, North Carolina (Carolina Panthers). [cite web |url= http://www.sportingnews.com/archives/payton/article1.html |title= Q&A: Hall of Fame eve |language=English]

Payton pursued various business ventures in retirement, including a CART Racing investment with Dale Coyne. He participated in various CART racing events, including a 1993 race in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin that nearly claimed his life. In 1996, he founded "Walter Payton's Roundhouse", a restaurant and pub that also hosted a museum of Walter's sports memorabilia.Payton34.com, [http://www.payton34.org/walter/biography.aspx Walter Payton Biography] , Retrieved on May 16, 2007. ] BearsHistory.com, [http://www.bearshistory.com/lore/walterpayton.aspx Walter Payton, Bears RB, 1975-1987] , Retrieved on May 16, 2007.] He was interested in cooking, often making meals for friends, [ [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4155/is_19991105/ai_n13844584 Kup's Column] Irv Kupcinet.Chicago Sun-Times, November 5, 1999. Cited through Findarticles.com.] and was also an enthusiastic chess player. He was known for making practical jokes, including untying referees' shoelaces during pileups, setting off firecrackers at unexpected moments, taking calls at the Bears' switchboard, and calling his friends' wives pretending to be their girlfriends. [ [http://www.bearshistory.com/seasons/1979chicagobears-print.aspx 1979 Chicago Bears] . BearsHistory.com, 2003.] He appeared on the NBC comedy show Saturday Night Live in 1987 (co-hosting with fellow football player Joe Montana). [ [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0694511/ Saturday Night Live - Walter Peyton/Joe Montana/Debbie Harry (1987)] . IMDB ]

Payton had always been an accomplished dancer. While at Jackson State in 1975, he and a girlfriend entered a couples' dance contest televised on the nationally syndicated music/dance show "Soul Train" and finished second overall. [ [http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,945867,00.html?promoid=googlep Running Wild] . Time, 1997.]

Illness and death

In February 1999, Payton announced that he had a rare autoimmune liver disease known as primary sclerosing cholangitis. Patients with this disease have the increased risk of developing cholangiocarcinoma, tiny tumors that develop inside the bile ducts of the liver. Although he was listed for Liver Transplant, this diagnosis precluded a life saving transplant because of its high mortality rate. [ [http://sports.espn.go.com/page2/tvlistings/show35transcript.html Outside the Lines: Walter Payton, Giving Thanks] ESPN, November 2000.] Payton spent his final months as an advocate for organ transplants, appearing in many commercials to encourage others to donate organs, although by the time his first appeal was recorded, his illness was already too far advanced for transplantation to have been a viable option. In April, Payton made a final public appearance at a Chicago Cubs game with Mike Ditka, where he threw the game's ceremonial first pitch.cite web |url=http://www.sportingnews.com/archives/payton/article6.html|title= Payton dead at 45] [cite web |url=http://espn.go.com/nfl/news/1999/1031/144491.html|title= NFL's all-time leading rusher dies at 45] Author Don Yaeger worked with him during the last weeks of his life to create his autobiography, "Never Die Easy". [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C01E2DF123BF931A35752C1A96F958260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=2 Walter Payton, Extraordinary Running Back for Chicago Bears, Dies at 45.] New York Times, November 2, 1999.]

On November 1, 1999, Payton died from the complications that arose from his illness. During the same week, the NFL held special ceremonies in each game to commemorate Payton's memory. In addition, the Chicago Bears wore special #34 patches on their jerseys to honor Payton. cite web |url=http://www.sportingnews.com/archives/payton/article6.html|title Payton dead at 45 |language=English]

The speakers at Payton's public funeral service, held in Soldier Field, included Jesse Jackson, National Football League Commissioner Paul Tagliabue, former teammate Dan Hampton, his widow Connie Payton, and his children, Jarrett and Brittney Payton. [ [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B04E1D8153AF934A35752C1A96F958260 Chicagoans Bid Payton Fond Farewell At Soldier Field] . New York Times, November 7, 1999.] Among the 2,000 mourners at the private service were John Madden, Illinois Governor George Ryan, Chicago's mayor Richard M. Daley, former teammates Matt Suhey, Mike Singletary, Roland Harper, and Jim McMahon, as well as the Bears' equipment manager, building superintendent, and many other people representing a wide racial, social, political, and economic spectrum. [ [http://www.dailyherald.com/special/payton/imrem1106.htm Walter Payton 1954 - 1999] . Daily Herald, 1999.]

Legacy

Payton's legacy continues through the charitable Walter and Connie Payton Foundation. His own appeals for greater awareness of the need for organ donations, and after his death, his foundation's, are widely credited with bringing national attention to the problem. [ [http://www.senate.gov/~levin/newsroom/release.cfm?id=209937 Levin Joins Senate Colleagues, NFL Players to Promote Organ and Tissue Donation] United States Senate, 2000.] After his appeal, donations in Illinois skyrocketed, and the regional organ bank of Illinois was overwhelmed with calls. [ [http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=News&id=3331198 Jennings death puts lung cancer in the public eye] . ABC, 2005.] In response, the City of Chicago inserted organ donation requests into city vehicle registration mailings in early 2000, and by August 2000, 13,000 people had signed into the program. [ [http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/press/2000/august/000809d1.html Jesse White Unveils New Organ Donor License Plate] . Illinois Secretary of State, August 2000.] The foundation continues to run a program that Payton organized to donate toys to underprivileged children across the Chicago area each Christmas.cite web |url= http://www.bearshistory.com/lore/walterpayton.aspx|title= Walter Payton, Bears RB, 1975-1987|language=English] The family established the Walter Payton Cancer Fund in 2002. [ [http://www.payton34.org/research/default.aspx Walter Payton Cancer Fund: Research] . www.payton34.org.]

Many modern NFL running backs have cited Payton as a source of inspiration. Emmitt Smith tearfully paid homage to Payton after breaking Payton’s rushing record. [ [http://espn.go.com/classic/biography/s/Smith_Emmitt.html Emmitt Smith] . ESPN, 2007.] LaDainian Tomlinson, who set numerous records during the 2006 NFL season, named Payton as one of his foremost mentors and inspirations. [cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=neel/061214|title=IS LT the best ever?] Ahman Green, a former player for the Bears' rival Green Bay Packers (now with the Houston Texans), is said to have idolized Payton, viewing the highlight film "Pure Payton" before each game. [ [http://www.packers.com/team/players/green_ahman/ Green Bay Packers Player Profile, Ahman Green] ] Walter's son, Jarrett Payton was a running back for the Tennessee Titans and Amsterdam Admirals. During his tenure at the University of Miami, Jarrett wore a #34 jersey to honor his father's memory.cite web |url= http://www.bearshistory.com/lore/walterpayton.aspx|title= Walter Payton, Bears RB, 1975-1987|language=English]

The city of Chicago has honored Payton’s memory in several ways. In 1999, the city created a special license plate and city sticker that featured Payton. The profits from the sales were given to support organ donor programs across Illinois. [ [http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/press/2004/august/040825d1.html Secretary of State White Joins City Clerk Laski to Increase Organ Donor Participation Illinois] ] Additionally, the city named a high school, Walter Payton College Prep, in his honor. In September 2007 the University of Illinois at Chicago Medical Center opened the Walter Payton Liver Center. [ [http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=local&id=5638568 Walter Payton Liver Center opens at UIC] . American Broadcasting Network (ABC7Chicago.com), September 5, 2007.] Chicago Metra commuters have long been witness to a simple "#34 Sweetness", painted on a bridge piling of the Air Line on the south end of the Chicago Union Station yards.

There are two athletic awards named after Payton. The NCAA gives the "Walter Payton Award" to the best offensive player from a Division I FCS (still often known by its former designation of Division I-AA) football team. The NFL hands out the "Walter Payton Man of the Year" award for player achievements in community service during a particular season.

Career statistics

Payton was the NFL's all-time leader in rushing yards and all-purpose yards prior to the 2002 NFL season. He led the league in rushing yards and touchdowns in the 1977 NFL season. Additionally, he was among the top ten players for rush attempts during his entire career, including 1976, 1977, and 1978, leading the category in 1979. As of 2006 he was the NFL's second all-time rusher, and ranked third in rushing touchdowns scored. [ [http://www.nfl.com/history/randf/records/indiv/rushing NFL Rushing Records] . NFL Record and Fact Book, Updated Through 2006 Season.]

Regular season

* Rushing Yards: 16,726
* Rushing Touchdowns: 110
* Rush Attempts: 3,838
* Receiving Yards: 4,538
* Receiving Touchdowns: 15
* Receptions: 493
* All-purpose yards: 21,803
* Passing Touchdowns: 8 [ChicagoBears.com, [http://www.chicagobears.com/news/ChalkTalkStory.asp?STORY_ID=4878 How did Kevin Jones fare against the Bears?] . Retrieved on July 21, 2008.]

Post-season

* Rushing Yards: 632
* Rushing Touchdowns: 2
* Rushing Attempts: 180
* Receiving Yards: 178
* Receptions: 22

References

External links

* [http://www.payton34.com/ Payton34.com] - Walter and Connie Payton Foundation
* [http://www.walterpaytonsroundhouse.com/ Walter Payton's Roundhouse.com]
* [http://www.walterpaytoncancerfund.org/ Walter Payton Cancer Fund.org] - official site
* [http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/news/1999/02/02/payton_liver/ Sports Illustrated] - Walter Payton
* [http://www.bearshistory.com/lore/walterpayton.aspx Biography at Bearshistory.com] - Walter Payton Biography from Chicago Bears History