“I don’t perceive myself as being better
than anyone. I shovel my driveway. I go to the grocery store. I pump my own gas. Some athletes don’t do that.”
-During a 1993 interview
Walter Jerry Payton, former running back for the
Chicago Bears, was born on July 25, 1954 in Columbia, Mississippi. Walter was the youngest of Peter and Alyne
Payton’s three children. Walter followed
in his brother, Eddie’s, footsteps playing football in high school, but he
continued to participate in the marching band as well. Walter would then attend Jackson State,
graduating in 1974 with a bachelor’s degree in special education. On January 28, 1975 Payton was drafted by the
Chicago Bears as 4th overall pick in the 1st round draft.
Walter, better known as “Sweetness” during his
football years, had a career total of 16,728 yards, 110 TDs rushing, and 3,838
carries. He was an All-Pro seven times,
played in nine Pro Bowls, and had 77 games over 100 yards.
Walter was as great on the field as he was off. Walter
enjoyed interacting with the fans, and made everyone he met feel special. He would take the time to not only sign an
autograph but get to know them as well.
Walter also
participated in fund-raising and charity work to better the community, specifically
children in need. Walter created what is
now known as the Walter and Connie Payton Foundation with the mission to
provide for the youth of Illinois. Today
the foundation hosts programs such as school supply drives, holiday giving, and
veteran projects. The foundation also
honors other pro football players that have contributed their time and efforts
to charity work; this is known as the Walter Payton’s Man of the Year Award.
On November, 1, 1999, at the age
of 45, Walter passed away from complications due to a rare liver disease. In his final months Walter become an advocate
for organ transplants, which raised awareness on the shortage and long wait for
transplants. Walter Payton will always
be remembered for his sweetness both on and off the field. He created a legacy that will always be admired
by all that he touched.
Johnson, Tom, and David Fantle. Sweetness: the courage and heart of
Walter Payton. Chicago, IL: Triumph Books, 1999. Print.
Payton, Walter, and Don Yaeger. Never die easy: the autobiography of
Walter Payton. New York: Villard, 2000. Print.
Payton, Walter, and Jerry B. Jenkins. Sweetness. Chicago:
Contemporary Books, 1978. Print.
Towle, Mike. I remember Walter Payton: personal memories of
football's "sweetest" superstar by the people who knew him best.
Nashville, Tenn.: Cumberland House, 2000. Print.
