Walter Payton Biography

Walter Payton is regarded as one of the best players in NFL history. He played for the Chicago Bears for 13 years and earned nine Pro Bowl selections. Payton was nicknamed “Sweetness” for his kind, compassionate demeanor both on and off the field.

Early Years

Payton was born on July 25, 1954, in Columbia, Mississippi. He attended Jackson State University and played as a halfback. Payton made the starting lineup during his freshman year in 1971, and was named Black College Player of the Year in 1973 and 1974. During that time, Payton also studied education at Jackson State with an emphasis on working with the deaf.

NFL Career

In 1975, Payton joined the National Football League playing for the Chicago Bears. In 1977, he won the League’s Most Valuable Player Award, and achieved a single-game rushing record of 275 yards against the Minnesota Vikings – a game in which he suffered from the flu. Payton delighted fans with his elusive, yet powerful running style and was soon considered the league’s best running back. He was a pioneer of the “stutter-step,” spin move, and stiff arm, and was known to leap over would-be tacklers. In 1986, Payton led the Bears to a 46-10 Super Bowl victory over the New England Patriots. It was the team’s first super bowl victory.

Life after Football

When Payton retired from the NFL in 1987, he had accrued a career rushing record of 16,726 yards and set the record for receiving yards by a running back. During his career, he also threw for eight touchdowns. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1993 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 1996. After his exit, Payton explored various business ventures ranging from real estate to race cars, and never stopped trying to improve quality of life for others. He established the Walter Payton Foundation to do just that. In 1999, Payton died of bile duct cancer. He raised awareness for the rare disease leading up to his death. Today, Payton’s organization is called the Walter and Connie Payton Foundation, and his wife leads the effort to help children and veterans in his honor.