Walter Payton facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Walter Payton

Payton in 1987
No. 34
Position:	Running back
Personal information
Born:	(1953-07-25)July 25, 1953 Columbia, Mississippi, U.S.
Died:	November 1, 1999(1999-11-01) (aged 46) South Barrington, Illinois, U.S.
Height:	5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight:	200 lb (91 kg)
Career information
High school:	Columbia (Columbia, MS)
College:	Jackson State (1971–1974)
NFL Draft:	1975 / Round: 1 / Pick: 4
Career history
Chicago Bears (1975)
Career highlights and awards
Super Bowl champion (XX) NFL Most Valuable Player (1977) NFL Offensive Player of the Year (1977) NFL Man of the Year (1977) 5× First-team All-Pro (1976, 1977, 1980, 1984, 1985) 3× Second-team All-Pro (1978, 1979, 1986) 9× Pro Bowl (1976–1980, 1983–1986) NFL rushing yards leader (1977) NFL rushing touchdowns leader (1977) 4× NFL rushing attempts leader (1976–1979) Bert Bell Award (1985) NFL 1970s All-Decade Team NFL 1980s All-Decade Team NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team Chicago Bears No. 34 retired 100 greatest Bears of All-Time First-team Little All-American (1974) Second-team Little All-American (1973) Most consecutive starts by a running back: 170
Career NFL statistics
Rushing yards: 16,726 Yards per carry: 4.4 Rushing touchdowns: 110 Receptions: 492 Receiving yards: 4,538 Receiving touchdowns: 15 Player stats at NFL.com
Player stats at PFR
Pro Football Hall of Fame
College Football Hall of Fame

Walter Jerry Payton (born July 25, 1953 – died November 1, 1999) was an American football player. He was a running back for the Chicago Bears in the National Football League (NFL) for 13 seasons. People called him Sweetness. Many consider him one of the greatest football players ever.

Payton was chosen for the Pro Bowl nine times. He held many records for rushing yards, touchdowns, and total yards. He also had many catches for a non-receiver. Plus, he threw eight touchdown passes in his career.

He was added to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1993. He also joined the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame that year. In 1996, he entered the College Football Hall of Fame. He was part of the NFL's 75th and 100th Anniversary All-Time Teams. Mike Ditka, a Hall of Fame coach, called Payton the greatest player he ever saw. He also said Payton was an even better person.

Payton started playing football in Mississippi. He had a great college career at Jackson State University. There, he was an All-American. The Chicago Bears picked him fourth overall in the 1975 NFL Draft. He won the NFL MVP Award in 1977. He also won Super Bowl XX with the 1985 Chicago Bears. He retired in 1987. He rushed for at least 1,200 yards in 10 of his 13 NFL seasons.

Walter Payton passed away on November 1, 1999, at age 46. He had a rare liver disease called primary sclerosing cholangitis. This led to cholangiocarcinoma, a type of cancer. His legacy lives on through the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award. He also helped raise awareness for organ donations.

Growing Up in Mississippi

Walter Payton was born in Columbia, Mississippi. He was one of three children of Peter and Alyne Payton. His father worked in a factory and played semi-professional baseball. Walter was active in the Boy Scouts, Little League, and his local church.

At John J. Jefferson High School, Walter was very busy. He played drums in the marching band. He was also on the track team and sang in the school choir. Outside of school, he played drums in jazz-rock bands.

His older brother, Eddie Payton, played on the football team. Walter did not play at first to avoid competing with him. After Eddie graduated, the football coach asked Walter to join. Walter agreed, but only if he could still play in the band.

High School Football Success

Walter started playing football in his junior year. He was an instant success as a running back. On his first high school carry, he ran 65 yards for a touchdown. He was not very big at 5 feet 10 inches. But his speed and strength made him a star player.

His high school merged with Columbia High School that year. Walter and his teammates were upset that their coach became an assistant. Walter protested by skipping some practices. But he returned for the fall season. He earned statewide honors and led Columbia to an 8–2 season. His performance helped ease tensions from the school merger.

Walter scored in every game during his junior and senior years. He was named to the all-conference team twice. He also led the Little Dixie Conference in scoring. Besides football, Walter was great at other sports. He averaged 18 points per game in basketball. He almost jumped 23 feet in the long jump. He also played baseball and continued drumming in the band.

College Football Journey

Even though Walter was one of Mississippi's best running backs, he did not get offers from Southeastern Conference colleges. He first planned to go to Kansas State University. But he decided to attend Jackson State University. This was a historically black school where his brother Eddie played football.

Playing for the Jackson State Tigers

At Jackson State, Walter played with many future pro players. His roommate, Rickey Young, and others like Robert Brazile were teammates. As a Jackson State Tiger, Walter rushed for 3,600 yards. He averaged 6.1 yards per carry. He set a school record with 65 career rushing touchdowns.

In 1973, he had 24 rushing touchdowns, a school record. He was named Black College Player of the Year. He won this award again in 1974. That year, he was also chosen for the All-American Team. Walter graduated in 1975 with a degree in Communications.

He got the nickname "Sweetness" in college. No one is sure exactly why. Some say it was his kind personality. Others say it was his graceful way of playing. Some even say it was a funny way to describe his tough playing style. Walter was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1996. He also joined the Black College Football Hall of Fame in 2010.

Record-Breaking Game

On September 23, 1972, in his second year, Walter set a record. He scored seven touchdowns in one game. He also had two 2-point conversions for 46 points. Jackson State won 72–0 against Lane College. He also set a school record with 279 rushing yards in that game.

College Statistics

NFL Career with the Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears chose Walter Payton in the first round of the 1975 NFL Draft. He was the fourth player picked overall. The Bears had been losing a lot since Gale Sayers retired in 1972.

Early Professional Years (1975–1982)

Walter's first NFL game was not great. He gained zero rushing yards on eight tries. His best game that season was against the New Orleans Saints. He rushed for 134 yards. He finished his first season with 679 yards and seven touchdowns. But he led the league in kickoff return yards.

Walter wanted to get better. In the 1976 NFL season, he rushed for 1,390 yards and 13 touchdowns. He was chosen for the 1977 Pro Bowl and named its MVP. The next year, he rushed for 1,852 yards and 16 touchdowns. He became the league's top scorer. He won many awards, including the Associated Press MVP.

A famous game was on November 20, 1977, against the Minnesota Vikings. He rushed for 275 yards, breaking O. J. Simpson's record of 273 yards. Walter had a 101-degree fever and the flu during this game. His longest run was 58 yards. His record stood for 23 years. By the end of the 1970s, Walter was also known for his blocking, receiving, and even some punting and quarterbacking.

Super Bowl Victory (1983–1986)

Payton (34) breaking the NFL's career rushing record on October 7, 1984.

The Bears struggled to win consistently. So, they hired Mike Ditka as coach in 1982. Ditka, a future Hall of Famer, led the Bears to better records. In 1983, they finished 8–8. In 1984, they went 10–6. Walter kept playing great, rushing for over 1,400 yards in both seasons.

On October 7, 1984, against the New Orleans Saints, Walter broke Jim Brown's career rushing record. He passed 12,312 yards. In 1985, Walter rushed for over 1,500 yards. This helped the Bears have one of the best offenses. Their defense that year was one of the best in NFL history.

Walter and his teammates appeared in the 1985 music video The Super Bowl Shuffle. The Bears had an amazing 15–1 record. They won Super Bowl XX 46–10 against the New England Patriots. Walter was key to their success. But he did not score any touchdowns in the Super Bowl. Coach Ditka later said this was one of his biggest regrets.

Retirement and Legacy (1986–1987)

In the 1986 NFL season, Walter, a 12-year veteran, gained 1,333 yards. The Bears won their division. But they lost to the Washington Redskins. After this season, he announced he would retire after the 1987 NFL season.

In his last season, Walter shared carries with Neal Anderson. He rushed for a career-low 533 yards. His career ended with another playoff loss to the Washington Redskins. Over his career, Walter rushed for 16,726 yards. This was an NFL record at the time. He scored 110 rushing touchdowns. He also caught 492 passes for 4,538 yards and 15 touchdowns.

The Bears retired his jersey number, 34. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1993.

Walter Payton's Unique Playing Style

Walter Payton's motto was "Never Die Easy." This is also the title of his book. He learned this motto from his college coach, Bob Hill. It meant Walter would never run out of bounds to avoid a tackle. He always tried to make the tackler work hard to bring him down.

One of his special moves was the "stutter-step." This was a high-stepping, uneven run. He used it to confuse defenders during long runs. He said it made them think, giving him an advantage. He would watch how defenders reacted and do the opposite of what they expected.

He brought back the "stiff-arm" move. This move had not been popular among running backs. Sometimes, he would even leap over opponents. He once landed on his head in the end zone for a touchdown against the Buffalo Bills. His running style was unusual. His knees were barely bent, and he moved mostly from his hips. This might have protected his knees, which are often injured in football. He called his knee surgery in 1983 an "11,000-yard checkup."

After scoring touchdowns, Walter did not celebrate much. He often just handed the ball to a teammate or the referee. He did not like the growing trend of touchdown celebrations. Instead, he preferred to play pranks after games. For example, he would lock his teammates out of the locker room while he took a long shower. Walter earned respect for his running. But he also retired as the leader in catches for a running back. He also threw 8 touchdown passes, which is a lot for a non-quarterback.

Personal Life and Family

Walter Payton always said he was born on July 25, 1954. But a writer later found his real birth date was July 25, 1953. He started using the later date when he was trying to win the Heisman Trophy in college.

Walter married Connie Norwood in 1976. They had two children, Jarrett Payton (born 1980) and Brittney Payton (born 1985). They lived in South Barrington, Illinois. Walter and Connie later separated, but their divorce was never finalized.

In 1987, Walter received the Order of Lincoln from the governor of Illinois. This is a high honor for people in Illinois. In 1988, he received the Golden Plate Award. Walter was a Christian and attended Destiny Church after retiring from football.

Business Ventures and Interests

After retiring, Walter Payton tried different business ventures. In 1995, he wanted to help bring an NFL team to St. Louis, Missouri. He hoped to be the first minority owner in NFL history. But the plan did not work out due to disagreements among the investors. St. Louis later got a team when the Los Angeles Rams moved there.

Walter also became a co-owner of Dale Coyne Racing in the CART IndyCar World Series. He even raced in some Trans-Am Series events. In 1993, his car flipped and caught fire during a race. He got some burns but was not seriously hurt.

In 1995, he and partners bought an old train building in Aurora, Illinois. It became "Walter Payton's Roundhouse". It had a restaurant, brewery, and museum. It won an award in 1999 for historic preservation.

Walter Payton in Popular Culture

Walter Payton appeared on Saturday Night Live in 1987. He co-hosted with fellow football player Joe Montana. He also took part in Prince Edward's charity TV special, The Grand Knockout Tournament. In 1994, he appeared at a World Wrestling Federation event, SummerSlam.

Illness and Passing

In February 1999, Walter Payton announced he had a rare liver disease. It was called primary sclerosing cholangitis. This disease may have led to his cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer). In his last months, he spoke out for organ transplants. He appeared in many commercials, asking people to donate organs. Sadly, his illness was too advanced for a transplant to help him.

In April 1999, Walter made his last public appearance. He threw the first pitch at a Chicago Cubs game with Mike Ditka. Author Don Yaeger worked with him to write his autobiography, Never Die Easy, during his final weeks.

Walter Payton passed away on November 1, 1999. He was 46 years old. The NFL held special ceremonies in games that week to honor him. The Chicago Bears wore special #34 patches on their jerseys.

Funeral Services

Walter's public funeral was held at Soldier Field. Speakers included NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue and former teammate Dan Hampton. His wife, Connie, and children, Jarrett and Brittney, also spoke. About 1,000 people attended a private service. This included John Madden, Illinois Governor George Ryan, and Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley. Many former teammates were also there.

Walter Payton's Lasting Legacy

The Walter Payton Center at Halas Hall within the Chicago Bears HQ.

Walter Payton's legacy continues through the Walter and Connie Payton Foundation. His calls for more organ donations helped bring national attention to the need. After his appeals, donations in Illinois greatly increased. The regional organ bank was flooded with calls. Chicago even added organ donation requests to vehicle registration mailings. By August 2000, 13,000 people had signed up.

The foundation still runs a program Walter started. It donates toys to children in need around Chicago every Christmas. In 2002, his family started the Walter Payton Cancer Fund.

Impact on Football and Beyond

Many modern NFL running backs say Walter Payton inspired them. Emmitt Smith cried when he broke Walter's rushing record. LaDainian Tomlinson called Walter one of his main mentors. Ahman Green watched Walter's highlight film before every game. Walter's son, Jarrett Payton, also played football. He wore #34 to honor his father. Jarrett even got married on March 4 (3/4) to match his dad's jersey number.

The city of Chicago has honored Walter in many ways. In 1999, they made a special city sticker with his picture. Money from these stickers and special license plates helps organ-donor programs. A magnet high school, Walter Payton College Prep, is named after him. In 2007, the University of Illinois at Chicago Medical Center opened the Walter Payton Liver Center.

Chicago Metra commuters can see "#34 Sweetness" painted on a bridge. U.S. Route 34 in Illinois is named the Walter Payton Memorial Highway. Walter Payton's Roundhouse in Aurora, Illinois, drew many visitors. A plaque there remembers him.

Two athletic awards are named after Walter. The NCAA gives the "Walter Payton Award" to the best offensive player in Division I FCS football. The NFL gives the "Walter Payton Man of the Year" award for community service. Jackson State University's wellness center is also named after him.

On November 1, 2009, the Chicago Bears honored Walter. They showed a tribute video at halftime. His family was there to watch. The Bears also named their indoor practice facility at Halas Hall after him.

Nickol Knoll Hill in Arlington Heights, Illinois, was renamed "Payton's Hill." Walter used to train there every morning. Plaques on the hill remember him. In September 2019, the Chicago Tribune named Walter Payton the greatest Bears player ever.

An asteroid, 85386 Payton, discovered in 1996, is named in his memory.

NFL Career Statistics

Walter Payton was the NFL's all-time leader in rushing yards and all-purpose yards when he retired. Emmitt Smith broke his rushing record in 2002. Marcus Allen broke his rushing touchdown record in 1996. Corey Dillon broke his single-game rushing record in 2000. Walter led the league in rushing yards and touchdowns in 1977. He was also among the top ten in rushing attempts throughout his career. As of 2022, he is the NFL's second all-time leading rusher. He is also fifth in rushing touchdowns. Walter threw six interceptions, more than any other non-quarterback. He also passed for eight touchdowns, second only to Frank Gifford among non-quarterbacks.

Regular Season Statistics

Postseason Statistics

* NFL Record at time of retirement

Chicago Bears Franchise Records

• Most rush attempts (career): 3,838
• Most rush attempts (season): 381 (1984)
• Most rush attempts (game): 40 (November 20, 1977 vs. MIN)
• Most rush attempts (playoff career): 180
• Most rush attempts (playoff season): 67 (1985)
• Most rush attempts (playoff game): 27 (January 5, 1986 vs. NYG; tied with Neal Anderson)
• Most rush yards (career): 16,726
• Most rush yards (season): 1,852 (1977)
• Most rush yards (game): 275 (November 20, 1977 vs. MIN)
• Most rush yards (playoff career): 632
• Most rushing TDs (career): 110
• Most rushing TDs (season): 14 (1977 and 1979; tied with Gale Sayers)
• Most rushing TDs (playoff game): 2 (December 23, 1979 vs. PHI; tied with Thomas Jones twice)
• Most rush yds/game (career): 88.0
• Most rush yds/game (season): 132.3 (1977)
• Most receptions (career): 492
• Most receptions (playoff career): 22
• Most total TDs (career): 125
• Most yds from scrimmage (career): 21,264
• Most yds from scrimmage (season): 2,121 (1977)
• Most yds from scrimmage (playoff career): 810
• Most all purpose yds (career): 21,803
• Most all purpose yds (playoff career): 867
• Most 100+ yard rushing games (career): 78
• Most 100+ yard rushing games (season): 10 (1977, 1984 and 1985)
• Most games with 1+ TD scored (career): 89
• Most games with 2+ TD scored (career): 32
• Most games with 2+ TD scored (season): 6 (1977 and 1979)
• Most games with 3+ TD scored (career): 6
• Most games with 3+ TD scored (season): 2 (1977 and 1979; tied with Gale Sayers, Neal Anderson and Matt Forte)
• Most seasons with 1000+ rushing yards (career): 10

NFL Records Held by Walter Payton

• Consecutive regular season starts by a running back: 170, from December 7, 1975 to September 20, 1987
• Most consecutive seasons leading the league in rushing attempts: 4 (tied, 1976–1979)
• Games with 100 or more yards from scrimmage gained, career: 108
• Passing touchdowns by a non-quarterback since merger: 8

Images for kids

• 

  Payton in 1987

• 

  Payton (34) pictured breaking the NFL's career rushing record on October 7, 1984.

• 

  The Walter Payton Center at Halas Hall within the Chicago Bears HQ.

See also

In Spanish: Walter Payton para niños