Walter Payton
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Walter Payton | |
|---|---|
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| Date of birth | July 25, 1954 |
| Place of birth |  Columbia, Mississippi |
| Date of death | November 1, 1999 (age 45) |
| Place of death | South Barrington, Illinois |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) |
| Weight | 203 lb (92 kg) |
| Position(s) | RB |
| College | Jacksonville |
| NFL Draft | 1975 / Round 1/ Pick 2{ |
| Career Highlights | |
| Pro Bowls | 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986 |
| Awards | 1985 UPI NFC POY, 1985 Bert Bell Award, 1977 AP NFL MVP, 1977 AP Offensive POY, 1977 Pro Bowl MVP, 1977 PFWA MVP, 1977 UPI NFC POY |
| Honors | NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team, NFL 1980s All-Decade Team NFL 1970s All-Decade Team |
| Retired #s | Chicago Bears #34 |
| Records | *Chicago Bears Career Rushing Yards (16,726) *Chicago Bears Rushing TDs (110) |
| Stats | |
| Statistics | |
| Team(s) | |
| 1975–1987 | Chicago Bears |
| College Hall of Fame | |
| Pro Football Hall of Fame, 1993 | |
Walter Jerry Payton (July 25, 1954 – November 1, 1999) was an American football running back for the Chicago Bears. Payton, a Pro Football Hall of Fame member, distinguished himself as one of the National Football League’s most productive and memorable players. He also set many rushing records during his professional and collegiate career.
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Early life
Walter Payton was born to Peter and Alyne Payton in Columbia, Mississippi. He was given a humble blue-collar upbringing, and spent his youth as a member of the Boy Scouts, and his local church. Payton was also an avid member of his school’s band and choir. [1][2]
Payton began to play football during his junior year at Jefferson High School, where he achieved instant success as a running back. His notable size, speed, strength made him one of the team’s featured players. However, Payton’s success was nearly thwarted when his school integrated with an all-white high school during his senior year. [1][2]
Payton and his classmates were forced to attend Columbia High School. Due to the racial tensions at the time, Payton and his teammates were skeptical about playing with Caucasian teammates and coaches. Nevertheless, he decided to play football for his new high school, and lead them to an unexpected 8-2 season. He earned state-wide honors as a member of Mississippi's all-state team. [1][2]
College career
Although Payton had established himself as one of the state’s top running back prospects, many colleges shunned him on account of his race and lack of experience. He decided to pursue his collegiate career at Jackson State University, where his older brother Eddie had played football. [1][2]
While attending Jackson State, Payton played along side many future professional football players, including Jerome Barkum, Robert Brazile, and Jackie Slater. As a member of Jackson State Tigers, Payton amassed 3,500 yards, while 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 attended a better-known college. Payton graduated in 1975 with a Bachelor's degree in Communication. [1][2]
Professional career
Beginning
On January 28, 1975, the Chicago Bears drafted Payton in the first round, as the fourth overall pick. Prior to the draft, the Bears were forced to endure several losing seasons and the retirement of the iconic Gale Sayers. Payton's first game did not help uplift the Chicago Bears' mood as he was held to zero net rushing yards on eight attempts. He had his best success during the season’s finale 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. [1][2][3]
Payton was eager to improve his performance. During the 1976 NFL season, Payton rushed for over 1000 yards and scored 13 touchdowns. He earned numerous awards that season, including the Associated Press and Pro Football Writers of America’s Most Valuable Player awards. He was also selected to play in the 1977 Pro Bowl, where he was declared the Pro Bowl MVP. The following year, he rushed for over 1800 yards during the 1977 NFL season, and scored 16 touchdowns, becoming the league’s leading scorer for the season. His most memorable game of the season was against the Minnesota Vikings, where he rushed for 275 yards whilst combating flu. By the end of the decade, Payton received additional accolades for his exploits as a blocker, receiver, emergency punter, and quarterback. [1][2][4]
"Da Coach" arrives
Despite Payton’s success on the field, 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. Ditka, a legendary tight end, immediately propelled the Bears’ to an 8-8 finish and later 10-6 finish in 1984. Payton continued his success by rushing for over 1,400 yards in both seasons. Additionally, on October 7, 1984, Payton broke Jim Brown's career rushing record.
In 1985, Payton rushed for over 1500 yards, while helping the Bears’ establish the league’s second best offense. However, the 1985 Chicago Bears were spearheaded by their revolutionary 46 defense. Payton and the Bears’ cruised to a 15-1 record, which culminated with 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 gracing the end zone. In a later interview, Ditka claimed not letting Payton score a touchdown was one of his major regrets. [1][2][5]
Later years
Payton, who was a twelve-year veteran, amassed 1333 yards in the 1986 NFL season. The Bears won the NFC Central Division, but lost to the Washington Redskins, 21-17 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. Over his entire career, Payton rushed for 16726 yards, and scored 110 touchdowns. He set several team records, including most career rushing yards and touchdowns. Additionally, his jersey number was retired, and he was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame in 1993. [1][2]
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. Their efforts were thwarted when the NFL decided to create expansion teams in Jacksonville, Florida and Charlotte, North Carolina.[6]
Payton also pursued a CART Racing investment with Dale Coyne. He participated in various CART racing events, including a race in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin 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. [1][2]
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 his liver. Payton spent his final months as an advocate for organ transplants, appearing in many commercials to encourage others to donate organs. The following April, Payton made a final public appearance at a Chicago Cubs game with Mike Ditka, where he threw the game's ceremonial first pitch. [7][8]
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. 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. [7]
Legacy
Payton's legacy continues to live through his charity foundation, the Walter and Connie Payton Foundation. Because of Payton's foundation, Illinois witnessed a dramatic skyrocket in organ donations. The foundation also continues to run a program that Payton organized to donate toys to underprivileged children across the Chicago area each Christmas. [2]
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. Additionally, LaDainian Tomlinson named Payton as one of his foremost mentors and inspirations after setting numerous records during the 2006 NFL season. [9] 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. [2]
The city of Chicago has also honored Payton’s memory in many ways. In 1999, the city revealed a special license plate and city sticker, which featured Payton. The profits from the sales were given to support Organ Donor programs across Illinois.[10] Additionally, the city named a high school, Walter Payton College Prep in his honor. There are two awards named after Payton. The NCAA gives the "Walter Payton Award" to the best offensive player from a 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.
Playing style
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As a player, Payton's signature high stepping, stiff-legged running gait was not merely for show but useful for preventing pursuing defenders from properly gauging his pace. Payton was also noted for not shying away from contact, often lunging into defenders rather than running out of bounds. This physical mindset, instilled by his college coach, was one of the reasons Jim Brown favored Payton to break his all-time rushing yards record over the less physical Franco Harris. 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 running style was also a product of his desire to avoid injury. He would be known as "Sweetness", and Sweetness became his nickname throughout his career. 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. During the Bears's storied run for the Super Bowl defensive tackle William "The Refrigerator" Perry, Walter and his unlikely blocker often pounded their way into the end zone.
While Payton might have won the respect of his peers and coaches by his running alone, he amassed nearly 500 receptions over his career and was a consistent threat in the passing game. 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.
Payton is said to have demonstrated mastery of kicking and punting the ball to add to his impressive array of all-around skills, but one of his less glamorized talents was blocking. Applying his physically punishing style to this often overlooked aspect of the game, he took greater pride in protecting his quarterback from being blind sided by a blitzing linebacker than many of his quantifiable accomplishments. Payton's unselfish willingness to hone all aspects of his game prompted longtime coach Mike Ditka to dub Payton as "the best football player ever, period". Payton will always be remembered for hitting the defender before running out of bounds.
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. In 1999, shortly before his death, The Sporting News named Payton to be the eighth greatest all-time football player on their list of 100 Greatest Football Players. Payton was the highest ranked Chicago Bears player, and the second highest ranked running back, behind Jim Brown.
Career statistics
Payton was the NFL's all-time leading rusher prior to 2002. He led the league in rushing yards and touchdowns in 1977. Additionally, he was among the top ten players for rush attempts during his entire career, including 1976, 1977, 1978, and 1979, when he led the category. Currently he is the NFL's second all-time rusher, and ranks third among rushing touchdowns scored.[11]
Regular season
- Rushing Yards: 16726
- Rushing Touchdowns: 110
- Rush Attempts: 3838
- Receiving Yards: 4538
- Receiving Touchdowns: 15
- Receptions: 492
Post-season
- Rushing Yards: 632
- Rushing Touchdowns: 2
- Rushing Attempts: 180
- Receiving Yards: 178
- Receptions: 22
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Walter Payton Biography (English).
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Walter Payton, Bears RB, 1975-1987 (English).
- ^ 1970's Chicago Bears: Peaks & Valleys (English).
- ^ 34 WalterPayton (English).
- ^ 1985 Chicago Bears-World Champions Again (English).
- ^ Q&A: Hall of Fame eve (English).
- ^ a b Payton dead at 45 (English).
- ^ NFL's all-time leading rusher dies at 45 (English).
- ^ IS LT the best ever?.
- ^ Secretary of State White Joins City Clerk Laski to Increase Organ Donor Participation Illinois
- ^ Walter Payton statistics
External links
- Payton34.com - Walter and Connie Payton Foundation
- Walter Payton's Roundhouse.com
- Walter Payton Cancer Fund.org - official site
- Sports Illustrated - Walter Payton
| Preceded by Bert Jones |
NFL Most Valuable Player 1977 season |
Succeeded by Terry Bradshaw |
| Preceded by Jim Brown |
NFL Career Rushing Yards Leader 1984 - 2002 |
Succeeded by Emmitt Smith |
| National Football League | NFL's 75th Anniversary All-Time Team |
|---|
|
Sammy Baugh | Otto Graham | Joe Montana | Johnny Unitas | Jim Brown | Marion Motley | Bronko Nagurski | Walter Payton | Gale Sayers | O.J. Simpson | Steve Van Buren | Lance Alworth | Raymond Berry | Don Hutson | Jerry Rice | Mike Ditka | Kellen Winslow | Roosevelt Brown | Forrest Gregg | Anthony Muñoz | John Hannah | Jim Parker | Gene Upshaw | Mel Hein | Mike Webster | Deacon Jones | Gino Marchetti | Reggie White | Joe Greene | Bob Lilly | Merlin Olsen | Dick Butkus | Jack Ham | Ted Hendricks | Jack Lambert | Willie Lanier | Ray Nitschke | Lawrence Taylor | Mel Blount | Mike Haynes | Dick Lane | Rod Woodson | Ken Houston | Ronnie Lott | Larry Wilson | Ray Guy | Jan Stenerud | Billy Johnson |
| National Football League | NFL's 1980s All-Decade Team |
|---|
|
Joe Montana | Dan Fouts | Walter Payton | Eric Dickerson | Roger Craig | John Riggins | Jerry Rice | Steve Largent | James Lofton | Art Monk | Kellen Winslow | Ozzie Newsome | Anthony Muñoz | Jim Covert | Gary Zimmerman | Joe Jacoby | John Hannah | Russ Grimm | Bill Fralic | Mike Munchak | Dwight Stephenson | Mike Webster | Reggie White | Howie Long | Lee Roy Selmon | Bruce Smith | Randy White | |
| National Football League | NFL's 1970s All-Decade Team |
|---|
|
Terry Bradshaw | Ken Stabler | Roger Staubach | Earl Campbell | Franco Harris | Walter Payton | O.J. Simpson | Harold Carmichael | |
Categories: Articles which may contain original research | Wikipedia articles needing factual verification | African American football players | American football running backs | Jackson State Tigers football players | Chicago Bears players | National Conference Pro Bowl players | AP NFL MVP Award winners | NFL 1970s All-Decade Team | NFL 1980s All-Decade Team | NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team | NFL 10,000 yard rushers | College Football Hall of Fame | Pro Football Hall of Fame | People from Chicago | People from Mississippi | Liver cancer deaths | 1954 births | 1999 deaths | Soul Train dancers
