In the annals of the NFL, Walter Payton is a name still worthy of respect. In his prime, Payton was, simply, the greatest running back the league ever knew. His record for rushing yards stood for years as Payton was astounding on the field with how well he dodged tacklers and overcame the odds for some touchdowns. He was the highlight of the 1985 Chicago Bears, one of the greatest teams in NFL history and an easy pick for the Hall of Fame.
Payton’s legacy has been enhanced following his tragic passing from cancer in 1999. While a generation never saw him play, he remains one of the greatest and most respected men in the game. These are some facts fans should know about “Sweetness” and why he remains not just the most loved Bears player ever but one of the finest in NFL history.
10 His Early Stats Were Impressive
At first in the shadow of his older brother Eddie in high school, Payton soon surpassed him. He shattered high school records in Mississippi before attending Jackson State. There, Payton had over three thousand yards and school records for rushing touchdowns and yardage.
It was there he gained the nickname “Sweetness” both for his behavior and how “sweet” he looked running on the field. That early fame showed Payton’s amazing talents that would be on full display in a remarkable career.
9 He’s The Best First Round Pick The Bears Had
The Chicago Bears, to put it mildly, have not had the best of luck when it comes to the draft. This is why Payton stands as the best first-round choice the Bears ever got. With his college stardom, Payton entered the 1975 Draft and was chosen by the Bears as the fourth pick.
He came just after the Cowboys took future Hall of Famer Randy White and the Colts wasted a pick on Ken Huff. Payton’s impact was felt immediately by the Bears to push them back into winners and to this day, he’s the best case of a Bears first-round pick that worked out wonderfully.
8 He Missed Only One Game
One of the most amazing parts of Payton’s legacy is how many games he played. All told in 13 seasons in the NFL, Payton played in just under 200 games, including playoffs. More remarkable was that he missed only a single game in his rookie season and that was only because he had a fractured ankle.
Payton actually wanted to play, but his coaches refused to risk his health for it. After that, Payton was in 168 consecutive games, an amazing record that showed his dedication, and he would have retired with an even 200 games if not for that one skipped entry.
7 He Set A Record While Having The Flu
Payton was amazingly skilled on the field but also known for his toughness. Nothing proved that more than in 1976 when the Bears faced the Vikings. Payton shattered O.J. Simpson’s record for the most rushing yards in a single game, gaining 275 yards and a touchdown in the Bears’ 10-7 victory.
But what made it more amazing was that Payton was playing through a 101-degree fever and severe flu. Payton claimed the idea of taking the game off never entered his mind, he just did his job to set off his legacy.
6 Nobody Played Like Payton
The NFL Had seen some amazing rushers over the years, but Payton was something else. He could literally stop on a dime and was capable of bounding over defenders to look like he was flying over them. Even the best defenses were helpless to stop Payton from rushing over them.
Not only that, but Payton also had skills as a quarterback as he had eight career touchdown passes. One highlight of the 1985 Bears was Payton tossing a TD pass to Jim McMahon in a fun reversal. While he didn’t get his dream of scoring a touchdown in the Super Bowl, Payton’s stunning skills remain a highlight of NFL games.
5 His Rushing Record Stood For Years
As 1984 began, the buzz in the NFL was that a record most thought would stand forever was being challenged. Payton was closing in on Jim Brown’s rushing record and on October 7, gained his 12,312th yard to break it. By the time he retired in 1987, Payton’s record was 16,726 yards which would stand for over 20 years before Emmett Smith broke it.
Not only that, but Payton had records for carries, yards from scrimmage, all-purpose yards, and touchdowns by a non-receiver. Several of his records still are the best with the Bears, and it's little wonder he was an easy pick for the Hall of Fame.
4 He Co-Hosted SNL & Was Part Of WWE
While Payton wasn’t a mainstream media star like other NFL guys, he had a few unique spots. In early 1987, as the Bears and the 49ers were in the playoffs, Payton and Joe Montana co-hosted Saturday Night Live. That included being on Church Chat and Payton meeting Jon Lovitz’s “Liar” character.
In 1994, Payton was in the corner of Razor Ramon as he challenged Diesel for the Intercontinental Title at SummerSlam. Given it was in Chicago, Payton got a huge ovation as he aided Ramon in regaining the belt. It showed even in retirement, Sweetness was loved by his fans.
3 His Sad End
After retirement, Payton spent years in various enterprises, from running a restaurant to hosting a sports radio show. As 1999 began, people were surprised to see Payton looking thin and haggard. He finally announced he had kidney failure and hoped for a transplant.
Amid the rush of sympathy, Payton kept quiet that he also had bile duct cancer. He spent the year promoting attention for transplants even as he faced his end. On November 1, 1999, Payton died at his home at the age of 46. His memorial service was attended by thousands of fans, with the Bears honoring him in a special ceremony.
2 The Award In His Honor
Following Payton’s death, the NFL showered him with various honors. The greatest was renaming the annual NFL Man of the Year Award the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award. This goes to a player whose off-field behavior and philanthropy are seen as worthy of Payton’s legacy.
It was fitting as Payton himself won the award in 1977. His son Jarrett tried for the NFL and even signed with the Titans but only stayed a few years in Canadian Football before retiring to help run his father’s charity organizations. In the end, Walter was the Payton with the major football fame.
1 His Biography Was An Eye-Opener
For over a decade after his death, Payton remained a revered icon as almost perfect in the eyes of his fans. However, Jeff Pearlman’s biography Sweetness was an amazing read. Having met Payton himself, Pearlman talked to dozens of people to paint a picture of Payton’s mental issues, the revelation of a years-long extra-marital affair, and his personal demons.
But rather than ruining Payton’s reputation, Pearlman’s book showed the struggles he endured to succeed and his battle with cancer showing his true strength. The book shone a huge light on the complex man and his legacy in football for a new generation of fans.