Jarrett Payton facts for kids
Payton with the Toronto Argonauts in 2009
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| No. 33, 42 | |||||||
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| Position: | Running back | ||||||
| Personal information | |||||||
| Born: | December 26, 1980 Arlington Heights, Illinois, U.S. |
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| Height: | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | ||||||
| Weight: | 220 lb (100 kg) | ||||||
| Career information | |||||||
| High school: | Saint Viator (Arlington Heights, Illinois) | ||||||
| College: | Miami (FL) | ||||||
| Undrafted: | 2004 | ||||||
| Career history | |||||||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||||
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Jarrett Walter Payton (born December 26, 1980) is an American former professional football player. He played as a running back. Jarrett is the son of the famous football player Walter Payton.
Jarrett Payton was first signed by the National Football League (NFL) team, the Tennessee Titans. He also played for other teams like the Amsterdam Admirals, Montreal Alouettes, and Toronto Argonauts. Today, Payton hosts his own internet radio show called the Jarrett Payton Show. He also works as a sports anchor for WGN-TV.
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Early Life and High School Sports
Jarrett Payton grew up in Illinois. In high school, he played both soccer and football at St. Viator High School. For his first two years, he focused on soccer and was named an All-State player.
When he was a senior, Payton played football in many different positions. He was a quarterback, tailback, and wide receiver. He gained a total of 2,842 yards from passing and running. He was considered one of the top young players in the country.
College Football Career
Payton went to the University of Miami to play college football. As a freshman, he ran for 262 yards. He also caught passes and returned kickoffs.
During his time at Miami, he played different roles. He was a running back and later a fullback. In his junior year, he also returned kickoffs. In his final year, Payton had a great season. He ran for 985 yards and scored seven touchdowns. He was also named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the 2004 Orange Bowl.
Professional Football Career
Playing in the NFL and NFL Europe
In 2005, Jarrett Payton joined the Amsterdam Admirals in NFL Europe. He helped the Admirals win the World Bowl XIII championship that year. He was also chosen for the All-NFL Europe League team.
Later in 2005, Payton played for the Tennessee Titans in the NFL. He ran for 105 yards and scored 2 touchdowns for the team. The Titans released him before the 2006 season began.
Playing in the CFL
In 2007, Payton signed a contract with the Montreal Alouettes in the CFL. He scored his first CFL touchdown in August 2007. A week later, he had his first game where he ran for over 100 yards, gaining 160 yards and scoring a touchdown.
Payton finished that season as one of the top rushers in the CFL. He had 852 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns. He left the Alouettes in 2008.
In 2009, Payton joined the Toronto Argonauts. He played for them briefly before asking to be released. He finished his professional playing career in 2010 with the Chicago Slaughter in the Indoor Football League. After playing, he wanted to focus on working with the Walter & Connie Payton Foundation. This foundation helps children who are in need.
Life After Football
Broadcast Career
After his football career, Jarrett Payton became a sports reporter. In 2015, he was hired by WGN-TV. He also hosted a show on Chicagoland Television. As of 2025, Payton is a sports anchor and reporter for WGN News. He also co-anchors WGN's GN Sports show.
Personal Life and Family
Jarrett Payton is the son of the legendary Chicago Bears running back, Walter Payton. He grew up in Illinois with his sister, Brittney. When Jarrett was 12 years old, he gave the speech when his father was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. In 2024, Jarrett also inducted his father's former teammate, Steve McMichael, into the NFL Hall of Fame.
Jarrett wore jersey numbers 33, 4, and 34 during his career. He chose number 33 with the Titans because his father's number, 34, was retired by the team in honor of another great player, Earl Campbell.
On March 4, 2009, Jarrett married Trisha George. They chose this date because it included his father's famous jersey number, 34. Their wedding reception was held at Soldier Field in Chicago. Jarrett and Trisha have two children, a son named Jaden and a daughter named Madison.
In 2011, Payton started the Jarrett Payton Foundation. This foundation works to help young people in the Chicago area. It has two main programs: a youth football camp called The Jarrett Payton Leadership Academy, and an anti-bullying program called PROJECT: NO BULL.
