Walter Payton
Honoring the top offensive player in FCS college football.
The Walter Payton Award is awarded annually to the most outstanding offensive player in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA) of college football as chosen by a nationwide panel of media and college sports information directors. The honor was first given 39 years ago in 1987 to the outstanding player in the division, but in 1995, eligibility was restricted to offensive players, as the Buck Buchanan Award for defensive players was inaugurated.
- Role
- Running Back
- Team
- Chicago Bears
- Career Span
- 1975–1987
- Super Bowl Victory
- XX (1985)
- Pro Bowl Selections
- 9
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
The award was named in honor of National Football League (NFL) legend Walter Payton, who starred at Jackson State University in the early 1970s. Up until presentations for the 2014 season, the Payton and Buchanan Awards were awarded by The Sports Network. Since STATS LLC, now known as Stats Perform, acquired The Sports Network in February 2015, it has presented all of the major FCS awards. The most recent winner of the award is Tommy Mellott, a quarterback from Montana State who earned the honor for the 2024 season.
In Their Own Story
On September 23, 1972, during Payton's sophomore year at Jackson State, he set a then-best SWAC single-game scoring record by rushing for seven touchdowns (on runs of 6, 8, 2, 3, 1, 2, and 31 yards) and two 2-point conversions for 46 points as Jackson State beat Lane College, 72–0. He also set a school record with 279 rushing yards in the game. Later, in the NFL, a memorable game of the 1977 season was against the Minnesota Vikings on November 20. He rushed for a then-record 275 yards, breaking the previous record of 273 yards held by O. J. Simpson. In that record-setting game, Payton was suffering with a 101-degree fever and intense flu. His longest run was for 58 yards, and he caught one pass for 6 yards. His record stood for 23 years until Corey Dillon of the Cincinnati Bengals ran for 278 yards on October 22, 2000.
Reader's Guide
Among the many schools in the division, only nine have claimed more than one award, and only seven have had more than one player win the award. Eastern Washington has had four players win the award, Villanova has had three players win the award, and five have had two players win: Colgate, Georgia Southern, Idaho, New Hampshire, and Eastern Illinois. Two players have won the award twice, with both being the only players from their institutions to win. In 2009, Armanti Edwards from Appalachian State became the first to receive the award twice, followed in 2017 by Jeremiah Briscoe from Sam Houston State. In 2019, Trey Lance of North Dakota State was the first freshman to receive the award.
Did You Know?
- The Walter Payton Award was first given in 1987.
- Eligibility was restricted to offensive players starting in 1995.
- Two players have won the award twice: Armanti Edwards and Jeremiah Briscoe.
- Armanti Edwards was the first freshman to win the award, in 2006.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Walter Payton?
Nicknamed "Sweetness," he was a Chicago Bears running back active from 1975 until 1987. His unique mix of speed and strength changed how the position is viewed by fans and analysts alike.
What role did Walter Payton play?
He played as a Running Back, mixing elegance with strength to set a new benchmark for the position. Many consider him the most well-rounded player ever because his performance went beyond just numbers.
How does Walter Payton's story end?
His professional tenure finished in 1987, highlighted by a championship win with the Bears during the 1985 season. While he passed away soon after retiring, his dedication to practice and team success remains his defining story.
Why is Walter Payton important?
He secured nine trips to the Pro Bowl and six First-Team All-Pro nods by working harder than anyone else on the roster. This commitment made him a model for upcoming athletes, while his kindness earned him the moniker "Sweetness."
What defines Walter Payton's legacy?
He was known for showing up before everyone else and staying after others left, proving his total devotion to the sport. This habit helped establish him as a benchmark for professionalism within the league.
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