Walter Payton

Walter Jerry Payton (July 25, 1953 – November 1, 1999) was an American professional football running back who played 13 seasons with the Chicago Bears. Nicknamed 'Sweetness', he is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in history. Selected fourth overall in the 1975 NFL draft, Payton won the 1977 AP NFL Most Valuable Player Award and led the team to a Super Bowl XX victory. He retired after the 1987 season having rushed for at least 1,200 yards in 10 of his 13 seasons. A nine-time Pro Bowl selection, he held NFL records for career rushing yards, touchdowns, carries, yards from scrimmage, and all-purpose yards. Payton was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1993.

Quick Facts

Position: Running back
Born: 25 July 1953
Birthplace: Columbia, Mississippi, U.S.
Died: 1 November 1999
Place of death: South Barrington, Illinois, U.S.
High school: Columbia
College: Jackson State (1971–1974)
Draft year: 1975

Lore & Background

Payton's journey began in Columbia, Mississippi, where he initially avoided football to avoid competing with his brother Eddie. Once he joined the team at John J. Jefferson High School as a junior, he ran 65 yards for a touchdown on his first carry. Despite an integrated school causing tension that led him to boycott spring practices, he returned in the fall to lead Columbia to an 8–2 season while averaging 18 points in basketball and leaping nearly 23 feet in the long jump.

At Jackson State University, where he roomed with future pro Rickey Young, Payton set a school record with 65 career rushing touchdowns. His breakout came on September 23, 1972, when he scored seven touchdowns for 46 points against Lane College. He acquired the nickname 'Sweetness' in college, though its origin remains ambiguous: some say it stemmed from his personality or grace, while others view it as an ironic description of his aggressive style.

Reader's Guide

Fans and historians look to specific statistical benchmarks to understand Payton's dominance. He rushed for at least 1,200 yards in 10 of his 13 NFL seasons, including two lockout-shortened years. His versatility was unmatched; he retired with the most receptions by a non-receiver and threw eight career touchdown passes, while also serving as an emergency punter and fourth-string quarterback. His accolades include being named to the NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team in 1994 and the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team in 2019.

He was inducted into the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame in 1993, the same year as his Pro Football Hall of Fame induction, followed by the College Football Hall of Fame in 1996. His legacy continues through the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award and the Walter Payton Award, alongside a heightened awareness for organ donation following his death from cholangiocarcinoma at age 46.

Did You Know?

He broke Jim Brown's career rushing record of 12,312 yards while playing against the New Orleans Saints on October 7, 1984.
Payton rushed for a then-record 275 yards in a game against the Minnesota Vikings while suffering from a 101-degree fever and intense flu.