Walter Payton

Walter Jerry Payton (July 25, 1954 – November 1, 1999) was an American football running back for the Chicago Bears. Walter was most notably known as one of the National Football League's most productive players, setting various records during his thirteen year playing career. In 1993, Walter Payton was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Early life

Payton was born in Columbia, Mississippi, USA. Despite being born to a humble blue collar family, Payton spent his free time indulging in the simple wonders of nature, and volunteering his time at his local church. During his youth, he joined the Boy Scouts and several athletic clubs. Payton also was an avid participant of his school’s choir and band.

After completing grammar school, Payton enrolled into Jefferson High School, which was segregated at the time. It was during this time that Payton made an impact on the football scene. By using his notable size, agility, and strength, he easily earned a starting position on the school's football team. During Walter's junior year, his school was integrated into the all-white Columbia High School. While Payton was not particularly bothered by the growing racial tensions in his area, he grew furious at school board's decision to hire a Caucasian coach. Payton soon realized that the school would not retract their decision, and chose to play for his new coach anyway [1]. Payton stunned the town of Columbia by leading his team to an unexpected 8-2 season.

College career

Though Payton was named on the Mississippi all-state team, many colleges shunned him on account of his lack of experience and race [2]. Unfazed by the lack of interest, Payton decided to follow in the footsteps of his older brother, Eddie, and enrolled into Jackson State University. While attending Jackson State, Payton played and studied along side with several future NFL icons, such as Jerome Barkum, Robert Brazile, and Jackie Slater.

During his college football career, Payton spearheaded Jackson State’s football team, by rushing over 3,500 yards, while averaging 6.1 yards per carry. Also, he scored 65 rushing touchdowns, breaking the NCAA record. Payton finished fourth in Heisman Trophy voting, although many believed he would have finished in first place had he attended a college with a better football reputation. Payton graduated from Jackson State in 1975, with a bachelor's degree in communications.

Professional career

Beginning

The Chicago Bears selected Payton in the first round of the 1975 NFL Draft. While the Bears were then in a slump following a streak of losing seasons, and the recent retirement of the iconic Gale Sayers, Payton failed to uplift the Bears during his first season. During his first appearance, Payton failed to make an impact on NFL, rushing zero net yards on eight attempts.

His big break came during the season finale against the New Orleans Saints, where he rushed over 134 yards on twenty attempts. Payton finished his first season with 679 yards and seven touchdowns, which were to be Payton’s lowest career stats during his thirteen years with the Bears organization. Eager to improve his game, Payton trained rigorously in the off-season to hone his athletic abilities.

Golden years

During the 1976 NFL season, Payton rushed over 1,000 yards and scored thirteen touchdowns. His newfound momentum continued into the 1977 NFL season, where his performance earned him numerous awards, most notably NFL Offensive Player of the Year Award. He also earned his first Pro Bowl invitation, where he was named the 1977 Pro Bowl MVP. Other highlights from the 1977 season include rushing over 275 yards against the Minnesota Vikings while combating a case of the flu. Furthermore, Payton’s exploits on the football field had not only earned attention as a running back, but also as a blocker, receiver, emergency punter, and quarterback.

"Da Coach" arrives

During the 1982 NFL season, Mike Ditka, a decorated former Chicago Bears player, replaced Neill Armstrong as the head coach of the Chicago Bears. Before the season could begin, Ditka delivered a motivational speech to his players and fans, which helped the Bears develop a winning and optimistic attitude for the following seasons. To help Payton, Ditka began to assemble an all-star cast of players, including Jim McMahon, "Samurai" Mike Singletary, Dan Hampton, Willie Gault, and Dennis McKinnon.

After the Bears’ Super Bowl hopes were cut short in the 1984 NFL Postseason, the team swore to rebound. The Bears entered the 1985 NFL season with their 46 defense. The '85 Bears, considered to be one of the greatest NFL teams of all time [3], amassed a 15-1 record. With the help of Walter Payton, the Bears managed to defeat their postseason foes for a combined score of 45-0. Payton, alongside his Shufflin’ Crew, prepared to play the New England Patriots at Super Bowl XX.

Although Payton had a subpar performance, his teammates scored 46 points, and held the Patriots to negative yardage until the third quarter of the game. The Patriot defense focused totally on Payton, who rarely was given the ball. While Super Bowl XX, at 46-10, stood as the most lopsided Super Bowl in history until the San Francisco 49ers beat the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXIV 55-10, it should be noted that Payton never managed to score a touchdown. Later, during an interview, Ditka would express his regrets for not letting Payton score a touchdown [4].

Later years

During the 1986 NFL season, the Bears managed to cap the season with an NFC central title and another trip to the playoffs. Payton, who was now in his older years, was now sharing the role of running back with his future successor, Neal Anderson. The Bears failed to persevere through the divisional round of the playoffs, as they lost to the Washington Redskins , 27 - 13. Following the 1986 season, Payton announced that he would retire from professional football following the completion of the 1987 NFL season.

Personal life

In 1976, Payton married Connie Norword. He resided with his family in South Barrington, Illinois, a small town west of Chicago.The couple had two children, Brittany and Jarrett Payton. Payton always encouraged his children to reach beyond their full potential, and strive for excellence.

Following his professional career, in 1995, Walter, along with many other investors, sought to bring an NFL expansion team to Saint Louis, Missouri. Unfortunately, their efforts were thwarted, when the NFL decided to create expansion teams in Jacksonville, Florida and Charlotte, North Carolina.

Payton pursued a CART Racing investment with Dale Coyne. He also participated in various races, including a race in Elkhart, Illinois that nearly claimed his life. Also that year, Walter founded the "Walter Payton's Roundhouse", a restaurant and pub that also hosted a museum of Walter's sports memorabilia.

Illness and death

In February of 1999, Payton announced that he had a rare liver disease known as primary sclerosing cholangitis, which soon led to the growth of a cancerous tumor on Walter's liver. Walter spent his final months alive as an advocate for organ transplants, appearing in many commercials to encourage others to donate organs. . The following April, Walter made a final public appearance at a Chicago Cubs game with Mike Ditka. While there, Walter threw the game's Ceremonial first pitch.

On November 1, 1999, Walter Payton died from the complications that arose from his cancer. As a well loved public figure and celebrity, he was offered the option of moving up on the waiting list for organ donors, he declined this offer because it would mean another would die instead of him. 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.

Legacy

Payton's legacy is carried on through his charity foundation, the Walter and Connie Payton Foundation. Because of Payton's foundation, the state of Illinois witnessed a dramatic skyrocket in organ donations [5]. The foundation also continues to run a program that Payton organized to donate toys to underprivileged children across the Chicagoland area each Christmas.

In 1999, shortly before his death, he was ranked number 8 on The Sporting News list of the 100 Greatest Football Players, the highest-ranked Chicago Bear (just ahead of Dick Butkus at number 9) and the second-highest-ranked running back, behind Jim Brown.

Additionally, Payton set numerous franchise and league records. During the 2000 NFL season, Emmitt Smith tearfully paid tribute to Walter after breaking Payton's rushing record. Smith claimed Payton taught him how to behave both on and off the field.

Walter's son, Jarrett Payton was a running back for the Tennessee Titans. During his tenure at the University of Miami, Jarrett wore a #34 Jersey to honor his father's memory. w3alter Payton was the bomb!

Playing style

As a player, Payton is often best remembered for his signature high stepping, stiff-legged running gait, which would often confuse his pursuers. Payton was also known for running towards defenders, as opposed to running out of bounds. In a memorable game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he used this tactic to hammer his way up-field, knocking out two defenders in the process.

Payton's unique and distinctive "stiff-legged" high-stepping running style was also a product of his desire to avoid injury. He ran by planting only the balls and toes of his feet on the turf, and keeping his heels elevated. In the event of a tackle, this would allow his legs to move as if he was hit from the side, protecting the connective tissues in his knees from injury. This stance necessitated extremely strong leg biceps and gluteal muscles, as he had to swing his legs from his hips in order to run.

Payton was also known to make hurdles over lines of players to enter the end zone. Accompanied by defensive tackle William "The Refrigerator" Perry, Walter and his awkward blocker often pounded their way into the end zone.

In the clutch, Payton also served as quarterback, accepting footballs from hand offs and throwing them with impressive accuracy. During a match-up against the Minnesota Vikings, Payton managed to throw a 60 yard completion to a receiver. In another game, he managed to throw a touchdown pass to quarterback Jim McMahon.

Despite his prowess and achievements, Payton often shunned excessive exposure to the limelight. After scoring a touchdown, Payton declined to celebrate as other running backs did. Instead, he would often give the ball to his teammates to spike into the ground. However, Payton developed a humorous reputation among his teammates for his comedic antics. On various occasions, he would rush into the locker room to lock his fellow teammates out. Also, Payton would occasionally untie the shoe laces of referees whilst lying prone before them.

Trivia

• Payton was an assistant basketball coach at Hoffman Estates High School during the early 1990's.
• Payton lent his Super Bowl XX ring to a Hoffman Estates Basketball player who lost it. Years after Paytons death, the ring was found and returned to Payton's wife. [6]

See also

• Walter Payton Award
• Walter Payton College Prep
• Featured Athlete on Fox Sports Net's Beyond the Glory

External links

• Pro Football Hall of Fame: Member profile
• Walter and Connie Payton Foundation/Payton34.com
• Walter Payton's Roundhouse
• Walter Payton Cancer Fund website
• SI Payton
• Career Stats Biography on one of the NFL's finest Walter Payton
• Pro-Football-Reference.com - Career Stats