Wikipedia

Walter Payton

(Redirected fromWalter Peyton)
This article is about the American football running back. For the musician, seeWalter Payton (musician).

Walter Jerry Payton(July 25, 1953[notes 1]– November 1, 1999) was an American professionalfootballrunning backwho played in theNational Football League(NFL) for 13 seasons with theChicago Bears.Nicknamed "Sweetness",he is widely regarded as one of the greatest football players of all time.

Walter Payton
refer to caption
Payton playing for the Bears in 1984
No. 34
Position:Running back
Personal information
Born:(1953-07-25)July 25, 1953[notes 1]
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
College:Jackson State(1971–1974)
NFL draft:1975/ round: 1 / pick: 4
Career history
Career highlights and awards
NFL record
  • Most consecutive starts by a running back: 170[a]
Career NFL statistics
Rushing yards:16,726
Rushing average:4.4
Rushingtouchdowns:110
Receptions:492
Receiving yards:4,538
Receiving touchdowns:15
StatsatPro Football Reference
Pro Football Hall of Fame
College Football Hall of Fame

Payton began his football career inMississippiand went on to have an outstandingcollege footballcareer atJackson State Universityplaying for theTigers,where he was namedLittle All-Americantwice. He started his professional career with theChicago Bearsin 1975, who selected him with the1975 draft's fourth overall pick. Payton proceeded to win the 1977AP NFL Most Valuable Player Awardand wonSuper Bowl XXwith the1985 Chicago Bears.He retired from football at the end of the 1987 season having rushed for at least 1,200 yards in 10 of his 13 seasons in the NFL (with two of those thirteen being lockout-shortened seasons).

A nine-timePro Bowlselection, Payton is remembered as a prolific rusher. He has held NFL records forcareer rushing yards,touchdowns,carries, yards from scrimmage, all-purpose yards, and many other categories. Payton also retired with the most receptions by a non-receiver, and he threw eight career touchdown passes. Payton was elected to thePro Football Hall of Famein 1993, to theMississippi Sports Hall of Famethat same year, and to theCollege Football Hall of Famein 1996. He was named to theNFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Teamin 1994 and theNFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Teamin 2019.

After struggling with the rare liver diseaseprimary sclerosing cholangitisfor several months, Payton died on November 1, 1999, fromcholangiocarcinomaat the age of 46. His legacy includes being the namesake of theWalter Payton Man of the Year Awardand theWalter Payton Award,as well as a heightened awareness of the need fororgan donations.

Early life

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Payton was one of three children born to Peter and Alyne Payton inColumbia, Mississippi.Payton's year of birth is disputed; most sources at the time of his death stated he was born in 1954.[1][2][3]However, other sources have stated he was born in 1953.[4][5][6]His father was a factory worker who had played semi-professionalbaseball;[7]he died in jail 1978 just a couple of hours after being wrongfully accused of driving under the influence due to a stroke that presented similar symptoms to alcohol intoxication.[8][9][10]Payton was an active member of theBoy Scouts,Little League,and his localchurch.At John J. Jefferson High School, Payton played drums in themarching band,participated in the track team and sang in the schoolchoir.[11][12]Outside of school, he played drums injazz-rockgroups.[12]

His brotherEddiewas on the football team, but Payton did not play—partly to avoid competing with him. After Eddie graduated, the football coach asked Payton to try out for the team, and he agreed on the condition that he be allowed to continue playing in the band.[12]

Once he began to play football, as a junior, he achieved instant success as a running back, running 65 yards for a touchdown on his first high-school carry.[12][13]At 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m), he was not especially large, but his speed and strength made him one of the team's featured players. John J. Jefferson High School was integrated with neighboringColumbia High Schoolthat year; Payton and his teammates were upset that their head coach, Charles L. Boston, had become an assistant and Payton boycotted some of the spring practices in protest, but returned during the fall season.[14][15]He then earned statewide honors as a member of Mississippi's all-state team, leading Columbia to an unexpected 8–2 season.[15][14]His performance helped ease the local tensions surrounding desegregation.[11][16]Tommy Davis, Columbia's football coach, claimed that he could always count on Payton when the team needed to score. Payton's statistics proved that was no exaggeration: he scored in every game during his junior and senior years. He was named to the all-conference team two years in a row. Payton also led the Little Dixie Conference in scoring his senior year and made the all-state team. In addition to excelling at football, Payton averaged 18 points a game for Columbia's basketball team, leaped three-quarters of an inch short of 23 feet in the long jump, played baseball, and continued to drum in the school band.[13]

College career

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Even though Payton had established himself as one of Mississippi's best running back prospects, he received no invitations fromSoutheastern Conferencecolleges. After originally committing toKansas State University,he decided to pursue his collegiate career at thehistorically blackschoolJackson State University(MS) where his older brother Eddie played football.[17][18]

While attending Jackson State, Payton played alongside many future professional football players, including his roommate,Rickey Young,as well asJerome Barkum,Robert Brazile,andJackie Slater.As a member of theJackson State Tigers,Payton rushed for 3,600 yards, averaging 6.1 yards per carry, and set the school record for career rushing touchdowns with 65.[notes 2]In 1973, Payton had a school record 24 rushing touchdowns,[19]and was named Black College Player of the Year. He won this award again in 1974, in addition to being selected for theAll-American Team.[20]Payton graduated in 1975 with abachelor's degreein communications.[14][15]

He acquired the nickname "Sweetness" in college. The nickname's origin is ambiguous: it is variously said to have stemmed from his personality, from his athletic grace, or as an ironic description of his aggressive playing style.[21]Payton was inducted into theCollege Football Hall of Famein 1996,[15]and he was posthumously inducted into the inaugural class of theBlack College Football Hall of Famein 2010.[22][23]

Breakout performance

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On September 23, 1972, during Payton's sophomore year, he set a then-bestSWACsingle-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 beatLane College,72–0.[24]He also set a school record with 279 rushing yards in the game.[notes 3]

College statistics

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Jackson State Tigers
Season Rushing Kicking
Att Yards Avg TD XPM FGM
1971 94 652 6.9 5 13 3
1972 124 781 6.3 15 21 0
1973 205 1,139 5.6 24 13 2
1974 175 1,029 5.9 19 6 0
Totals 598 3,600 6.0 63 53 5

Professional career

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1975–1982

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The Chicago Bears drafted Walter Payton in the first round of the1975 NFL draftas the fourth overall pick. Payton was assigned #21 by the team but switched to #34 before the season started.[25]The Bears had endured several losing seasons after the retirement of the iconicGale Sayersin1972.Payton's first game was not particularly successful; he was held to zero net rushing yards on eight attempts. His best performance of the season was the final game against theNew Orleans Saints,where he rushed for 134 yards on 20 carries. Payton finished theseasonwith only 679 yards and seven touchdowns.[14][15][26]However, Payton led the league in yards per kickoff return.[27]

Payton was eager to improve his performance. During the1976 season,Payton rushed for 1,390 yards and scored 13 touchdowns.[28]After the season, he was selected to play in the1977 Pro Bowl,where he was declared thePro Bowl MVP.The next year, he rushed for 1,852 yards and scored 16 touchdowns, becoming the league's leading non-kicker for the season.[29]He earned numerous awards that season, including theAssociated Pressand Pro Football Writers of America's Most Valuable Player awards. A memorable game of the1977 seasonwas against theMinnesota Vikingson November 20. He rushed for a then-record 275 yards, breaking the previous record of 273 yards held byO. J. Simpson.[30]In that record-setting game against the Vikings, Payton was suffering with a 101-degree fever and intenseflu.His longest run was for 58 yards, and he caught one pass for 6 yards. His record stood for 23 years untilCorey Dillonof theCincinnati Bengalsran for 278 yards on October 22,2000(Adrian Petersonof the Minnesota Vikings set the current record of 296 rushing yards in2007). By the end of the decade, Payton had received additional accolades for his exploits as ablocker,receiver,emergencypunter,andquarterback.[14][15][7]

1983–1986

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

The Bears struggled to assemble consecutive winning seasons, landing only two playoff berths since his arrival. The lack of success prompted the Bears' management to replaceNeill ArmstrongwithMike Ditkafor the season that began in the Fall of1982.Ditka, atight endduring the 1960s and 1970s who would also join thePro Football Hall of Fame,led the Bears to a 3–6 (strike-shortened) record in 1982. He led the Bears to an 8–8 finish in1983and to a 10–6 finish in1984.[31][32]Payton continued his success by rushing for more than 1,400 yards in both seasons. On September 19, 1984, Payton passedFranco Harrisas the active leader in career rushing yards. Three weeks later, on October 7, 1984, against theNew Orleans Saints,Payton brokeJim Brown's career rushing record of 12,312 yards. In1985,Payton rushed for more than 1,500 yards, helping the Bears establish the league's second-best offense with the emergence of quarterbackJim McMahon.The Bears'46 defenseof that season would go on to become one of the best in NFL history, setting a record for fewest points allowed.[33]In one 1984 game, Payton was pressed into service as the team's fourth-string quarterback.[34]

Payton'sSuper Bowl Ring(won inSuper Bowl XX)

Payton performed with his teammates in the widely released 1985 music videoThe Super Bowl Shuffle.The Bears went on to a 15–1 record that culminated in a 46–10 victory over theNew England PatriotsinSuper Bowl XX.[35]Although Payton's offensive prowess had assisted the Bears throughout the 1985 season, he did not score any touchdowns in the postseason and the New England Patriots prevented him from reaching the end zone in the Super Bowl. According to quarterbackJim McMahon,he was targeted by two or three defenders on every play, and others stated that Payton's mere presence allowed others to shine, given that at least two people were targeting Payton on every play.[18]In a later interview, Ditka stated that one of his major regrets was Payton's lack of a touchdown in the Super Bowl.[14][15][36]

1986–1987

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Payton, who was a 12-year veteran, amassed 1,333 yards in the1986 season.[37]The Bears won theNFC CentralDivision, but lost to theWashington Redskins27–13 in the divisional round. At the end of the 1986 season, he announced that he would retire from professional football after completing the1987 season.During his last season with the Bears, Payton split carries with his successor,Neal Anderson,and rushed for a career-low 533 yards along with four touchdowns.[38]Payton's career ended with another loss to theWashington Redskinsin the divisional round of the playoffs by the score of 21–17 on January 10, 1988. Over his entire career, Payton rushed for 16,726 yards, which broke the record for most rushing yards by any NFL player in history, and scored 110 touchdowns. He caught 492 passes for 4,538 yards and 15 touchdowns. Payton set several team records, including most career rushing yards, receptions, touchdowns, and touchdown passes by a running back. His jersey number was retired by the Bears, and he was inducted into thePro Football Hall of Famein 1993.[14][15]

Playing style

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Payton's motto was "Never Die Easy", which is also the title of his posthumously published autobiography. Payton attributed this motto to Bob (Robert) Hill, his coach at Jackson State. In practice, this meant that Payton refused to deliberately run out-of-bounds and always delivered some punishment to his tacklers before being forced off the field or forced down.[18]

One of Payton's signature maneuvers was the "stutter-step", a high-stepping, irregularly paced run. He developed this as a way to distract his pursuers during long runs, saying that it startled them into thinking and gave him some advantage over players who were actually faster runners.[18]In his autobiography, he likened the stutter step to a kind of "option play": when he was stutter-stepping, defenders would have to commit to a pursuit angle based upon whether they thought he would accelerate after the stutter-step, or cut—he would read this angle and do the opposite of what the defender had committed to.[39]

He re-invented the practice of stiff-arming his tacklers, which had gone out of favor among running backs in the 1970s.[40]At times, he used his high-school experience as a long jumper to leap over his opponents, landing on his head in the end zone to gain a touchdown in a game against theBuffalo Bills.[41]His running gait was somewhat unusual, as his knees were minimally bent, and the motion was largely powered from the hip.[42]This may have given his knees, a football player's most vulnerable joints, some protection, although he underwentarthroscopicsurgery on both knees in 1983. He referred to this procedure as an 11,000-yard checkup.[42]

After scoring touchdowns, Payton declined to celebrate; instead, he would often hand the ball to his teammates or the official. He disapproved of the growing practice of touchdown celebrations; he preferred post-game antics such as rushing into the locker room and locking his teammates out in the cold while taking a long shower.[18]Although Payton would have won the respect of his peers and coaches by his running alone, he retired as the career leader in receptions for a running back, with 492 for over 4,500 yards,[43][notes 4]and still holds the career record for a running back, with 8 touchdown passes.[notes 5]

Personal life

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Throughout his life, Payton had claimed his date of birth as July 25, 1954, a date that is cited in many of his early biographies.[18][44][45]However, while researching his biography of Payton,Sports Illustrated'sJeff Pearlmandiscovered his actual date of birth to be July 25, 1953.[17]Pearlman found Payton's earliest use of the later date during his pursuit of theHeisman Trophyat Jackson State.[17]

Payton married Connie Norwood in 1976. During his rookie year, he resided in a home on the north side ofArlington Heights, Illinois.The couple had two children,Jarrett Payton(born 1980) and Brittney Payton (1985)[46][47]and resided inSouth Barrington, Illinois.Payton's marriage of 18 years came to an abrupt end when he unexpectedly served Norwood divorce papers for joint custody; however, despite not living together for most of the remainder of Payton's life, the divorce was never made official.[48]

Payton was inducted as a laureate ofThe Lincoln Academy of Illinoisand awarded theOrder of Lincolnby thegovernor of Illinoisin 1987 in the area of sports.[49]In 1988, he received the Golden Plate Award of theAmerican Academy of Achievement.[50]

In 1987, Payton accidentally shot a manager of a nightclub inSchaumburg, Illinois,that was owned by Payton.[51]Payton had recently bought the 9 mm French-made Manurhin Pistolet for his collection and was unaware that it was loaded.[51]The pistol, which was described as a collector's handgun that was registered, discharged while being handed to Payton by a third party while pointed at the nightclub manager, Elmer Ray Hutson Jr.; Hutson suffered knee damage from the shooting.[51]

Payton battled with depression after his playing career.[52]His agent, Bud Holmes, recalled Payton talked about committing suicide.[52]His executive assistant, Ginny Quirk, also recounted a similar instance where Payton said, "You won't see me when you get to the office tomorrow. Enjoy life without me."[52]

A Christian, Payton attended the non-denominational Destiny Church inHoffman Estates, Illinois,in the years after retiring from football.[53]

Investments

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In 1990, Payton, along with many other investors, sought to bring an NFLexpansion teamtoSt. Louis, Missouri,and Payton expressed his interest in becoming the first minority owner in NFL history.[27][54]Although the NFL strongly favored a franchise in St. Louis, their efforts were thwarted because of internal dissension among the investment group members.[39]leading the NFL to award franchises to investment groups inJacksonville, Florida(Jacksonville Jaguars), andCharlotte, North Carolina(Carolina Panthers).[55]St. Louis eventually received a team when theLos Angeles Ramsmoved to the city in 1995.[56]

Payton pursued various business ventures in retirement, including becoming co-owner ofDale Coyne Racingin theCART IndyCar World Series.He also drove in severalTrans-Am Seriesevents, including a 1993 race atRoad Americain which his car overturned and caught fire. He suffered burns but escaped serious injury.[57]

In 1993, Payton along withMike Laniganof Mi-Jack Products, co-founded Walter Payton Power Equipment, a midwest crane and heavy equipment distributor.[58]

In 1995, he and several partners purchased aroundhouseinAurora, Illinoisthat had previously belonged to theChicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad.The property became known as "Walter Payton's Roundhouse",hosting arestaurant,brewery, banquet and meeting facility, and museum. In 1999, the property received an award from theNational Trust for Historic Preservation.[59]The beers brewed at the Roundhouse received awards in the 2000s.[60]

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Payton appeared on a 1987 episode ofSaturday Night Live(co-hosting with fellow football playerJoe Montana).[61]That same year, he participated inPrince Edward of the United Kingdom's charity television specialThe Grand Knockout Tournament.In 1994, he made an appearance at theWorld Wrestling Federation'sSummerSlamevent in the corner ofRazor Ramon.[62]

Illness and death

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In February 1999, Payton announced that he had a rare liver disease known asprimary sclerosing cholangitis,which may have led to hischolangiocarcinoma(bile duct cancer). He spent his final months as an advocate fororgan transplants,appearing in many commercials to encourage others to donate organs, although by the time his first appeal was recorded, his illness was already too far advanced for transplantation to have been a viable option.[18]In April of that year, Payton made a final public appearance at aChicago Cubsgame withMike Ditka,where he threw the game'sceremonial first pitch.[63][64]AuthorDon Yaegerworked with him during the last weeks of his life to create his autobiography,Never Die Easy.[12]

On November 1, 1999, Payton died from the complications that arose from his illness.[65]He was 46 years old. During the same week, the NFL held special ceremonies in each game to commemorate his career and legacy. In addition, the Chicago Bears wore special #34 patches on their jerseys to honor Payton.[63]

Speakers at Payton's public funeral service, held inSoldier Field,included thenNational Football LeagueCommissionerPaul Tagliabue;former teammateDan Hampton;his widow, Connie Payton; and his children,Jarrettand Brittney.[66]Among the 1,000 mourners at the private service wereJohn Madden;Illinois GovernorGeorge Ryan;Chicago's mayorRichard M. Daley;former teammatesMatt Suhey,Mike Singletary,Roland Harper,andJim McMahon;and the Bears' equipment manager and building superintendent.[67]

Legacy

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The Walter Payton Center atHalas Hallwithin the Chicago Bears HQ.

Payton's legacy continues through the charitable Walter and Connie Payton Foundation. His own appeals—and, after his death, his foundation's—for greater awareness of the need fororgan donationsare widely credited with bringing national attention to the problem.[68]After his appeals, donations in Illinois skyrocketed, and the regional organ bank of Illinois was overwhelmed with calls.[69]In response, the City of Chicago inserted organ donation requests into city-vehicle-registration mailings in early 2000, and, by August 2000, 13,000 people had signed on to the program.[70]The foundation continues to run a program that Payton organized to donate toys to underprivileged children across the Chicago area eachChristmas.[15]The family established the Walter Payton Cancer Fund in 2002.[71]

Pro Football Focusfounder Neil Hornsby in 2010 named Payton as the greatest player in NFL history.[72]Many modern NFL running backs have cited Payton as a source of inspiration.Emmitt Smithtearfully paid homage to Payton after breaking Payton's rushing record.[73]LaDainian Tomlinson,who set numerous records during the2006 NFL season,named Payton as one of his foremost mentors and inspirations.[74]Ahman Green,a former player for the Bears' rivalGreen Bay Packers,is said to have idolized Payton, viewing the highlight film "Pure Payton" before each game.[75]Walter's son,Jarrett Payton,was a running back for theTennessee Titans,NFL Europe'sAmsterdam Admirals,CFL'sMontreal Alouettes,andIFL'sChicago Slaughter.During his tenure at theUniversity of Miami,Jarrett wore a #34 jersey to honor his father's memory.[15]In 2009, Jarrett married on March 4 (3/4), which was intentionally set to coincide with Payton's jersey number.[76]

The city ofChicagohas honored Payton's memory in several ways. In 1999, the city created a special city sticker that featured Payton. The profits from the sales of these stickers along with the special license plate created by the State of Illinois are given to support organ-donor programs across Illinois.[77]Also, the city named a magnet high school,Walter Payton College Prep,in his honor. In September 2007, theUniversity of Illinois at ChicagoMedical Center opened the Walter Payton Liver Center after a generous donation from Payton's family, who were pleased with the care he received there.[78]ChicagoMetracommuters have long been witness to a simple "#34 Sweetness", painted on a bridge piling of the Air Line on the south end of the Chicago Union Station yards. The State of Illinois has namedU.S. Route 34 in Illinoisas the Walter Payton Memorial Highway.[79]

Until its sale toTwo Brothers Brewingin 2011, Walter Payton's Roundhouse continued to draw hundreds of thousands of visitors annually to the Aurora, Illinois site. A plaque now hangs on the building commemorating Payton. There are two athletic awards named after Payton. TheNCAAgives the "Walter Payton Award"to the best offensive player from aDivision I FCS(still often known by its former designation of Division I-AA) football team. The NFL hands out the "Walter Payton Man of the Year"award for player achievements in community service during a particular season. The wellness center at Jackson State University is also named in honor of him, known as" The Walter Payton Recreation and Wellness Center. "[80][81]

The Chicago Bears honored Payton's career and life on November 1, 2009, by airing a special tribute video during halftime. The video consisted of highlight clips from Payton's career and interview segments fromMike Ditka,Virginia McCaskey,Richard Dent,and many other members of the Bears organization. Payton's wife, daughter, son, and mother were present to watch the video, which aired onSoldier Field's Jumbotron.[82]The Bears later named their official indoor practice and training facility atHalas HallinLake Forest, Illinoisafter Payton.[83]

After Payton's death, Nickol Knoll Hill, an old landfill site turned into a golf course inArlington Heights, Illinois,was renamed "Payton's Hill". There are two plaques on the hill to remind visitors of the hill that it was where Payton used to train in the 1970s and 1980s. Payton did his morning run at the hill every day. Pictures and memorabilia of Payton cover the walls of the golf course clubhouse.[84]

The asteroid85386 Payton,discovered by theAir Force Maui Optical and Supercomputing observatoryin 1996, is named in Payton's memory.[85]The officialnaming citationwas published by theMinor Planet Centeron May 20, 2008 (M.P.C.62930).[86]

In September 2019, theChicago Tribunenamed Payton the greatest Bears player of all time.[87]

NFL career statistics

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Payton was the NFL's all-time leader in rushing yards and all-purpose yards prior to the2002 NFL season,whenEmmitt Smithbroke his record. Payton also held the rushing touchdown record until it was broken byMarcus Allenduring the1996 NFL season.He also held the single game rushing record until the2000 NFL season,when it was broken byCorey Dillon.Payton led the league in rushing yards and touchdowns in the1977 NFL season.Also, he was among the top-ten players for rushing attempts during his entire career, including 1976, 1977, and 1978, and led the category in 1979. As of 2022,he is the NFL's second all-time leading rusher, and he is ranked fifth in rushing touchdowns scored.[88]Along withFrank Gifford,Payton threw six interceptions, more than any other non-quarterback position in NFL history.[89]He also passed for eight touchdowns, which is second to Gifford (14) for non-quarterbacks.[90][91][92]

Legend
APNFL MVP&OPOTY
Won theSuper Bowl
Led the league
Bold Career high

Regular season

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Year Team GP Rushing Receiving All pps yds Passing
Att Yds Avg Lng TD Rec Yds Avg Lng TD Yds TD
1975 CHI 13 196 679 3.5 54T 7 33 213 6.5 40 0 892 0 0
1976 CHI 14 311 1,390 4.5 60 13 15 149 9.9 34 0 1,539 0 0
1977 CHI 14 339 1,852 5.5 73 14 27 269 10.0 75T 2 2,121 0 0
1978 CHI 16 333 1,395 4.2 76 11 50 480 9.6 61 0 1,875 0 0
1979 CHI 16 369 1,610 4.4 43T 14 31 313 10.1 65T 2 1,923 54 1
1980 CHI 16 317 1,460 4.6 69T 6 46 367 8.0 54T 1 1,827 0 0
1981 CHI 16 339 1,222 3.6 39 6 41 379 9.2 30 2 1,601 0 0
1982 CHI 9 148 596 4.0 26 1 32 311 9.7 40 0 907 39 1
1983 CHI 16 314 1,421 4.5 49T 6 53 607 11.5 74T 2 2,028 95 3
1984 CHI 16 381 1,684 4.4 72T 11 45 368 8.2 31 0 2,052 47 2
1985 CHI 16 324 1,551 4.8 40T 9 49 483 9.9 65 2 2,034 96 1
1986 CHI 16 321 1,333 4.2 41 8 37 382 10.3 57 3 1,715 0 0
1987 CHI 12 146 533 3.7 17 4 33 217 6.6 16 1 750 0 0
Career 190 3,838* 16,726* 4.4 76 110* 492 4,538 9.2 75 15 21,264* 331 8

Postseason

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Year Team GP Rushing Receiving All pps yds Passing
Att Yds Avg Lng TD Rec Yds Avg Lng TD Yds TD
1977 CHI 1 19 60 3.2 11 0 3 33 11.0 20 0 93 0 0
1979 CHI 1 16 67 4.2 12 2 3 52 17.3 31 0 119 0 0
1984 CHI 2 46 196 4.3 20 0 4 23 5.8 12 0 219 19 1
1985 CHI 3 67 186 2.8 12 0 8 52 6.5 19 0 238 0 0
1986 CHI 1 14 38 2.7 9 0 1 -2 -2.0 -2 0 36 0 0
1987 CHI 1 18 85 4.7 16 0 3 20 6.7 9 0 105 0 0
Career 9 180 632 3.5 20 2 22 178 8.1 31 0 810 19 1

* NFL record at time of retirement

Bears franchise records

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  • Most rush attempts (career): 3,838
  • Most rush attempts (season): 381 (1984)
  • Most rush attempts (game): 40 (1977-11-20 MIN)
  • Most rush attempts (playoff career): 180
  • Most rush attempts (playoff season): 67 (1985)
  • Most rush attempts (playoff game): 27 (1986-01-05 NYG; tied withNeal Anderson)
  • Most rush yards (career): 16,726
  • Most rush yards (season): 1,852 (1977)
  • Most rush yards (game): 275 (1977-11-20 MIN)
  • Most rush yards (playoff career): 632
  • Most rushing TDs (career): 110
  • Most rushing TDs (season): 14 (1977 and 1979; tied withGale Sayers)
  • Most rushing TDs (playoff game): 2 (1979-12-23 @PHI; tied withThomas Jonestwice)
  • 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 withGale Sayers,Neal AndersonandMatt Forte)
  • Most seasons with 1000+ rushing yards (career): 10

NFL records

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Explanatory notes

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  1. ^abAlthough most sources at the time of his death gave Payton's birth year as 1954, reliable sources subsequently state he was born in 1953.
  2. ^65 rushing touchdowns is not an officialNCAArecord, as individual scoring records are not officially recognized.
  3. ^As of 2015,second only to William Arnold's 346, seeMedia GuideArchivedOctober 23, 2020, at theWayback Machine,p.57
  4. ^Seelistfor 1920–1987 (min. 1000 career rush attempts) at pro-football-reference
  5. ^Seerunning backs with 4+ passing TDsat pro-football-reference (max. 200 pass attempts)

Notes

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  1. ^178 including playoffs

References

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  1. ^Pierson, Don (November 2, 1999)."CHICAGO'S 'SWEETNESS' DIES OF CANCER AT 45".Chicago Tribune.RetrievedJanuary 30,2022.
  2. ^Litsky, Frank (November 2, 1999)."Walter Payton, Extraordinary Running Back for Chicago Bears, Dies at 45".New York Times.RetrievedJanuary 30,2022.
  3. ^Wharton, David; Springer, Steve (November 2, 1999)."Football Great Walter Payton Dies at 45".Los Angeles Times.RetrievedJanuary 30,2022.
  4. ^"Reviewing" Sweetness: The Enigmatic Life of Walter Payton "".Chicago Bears Huddle.November 8, 2011. Archived fromthe originalon January 30, 2022.RetrievedJanuary 30,2022.
  5. ^Pearlman, Jeff (October 31, 2011)."Walter Payton: Human being".CNN.RetrievedJanuary 30,2022.
  6. ^"Walter Payton - College Football Hall of Fame".College Football Hall of Fame.February 18, 2016.RetrievedJanuary 30,2022.
  7. ^ab"Walter Payton".The Chicago Bears.Archived fromthe originalon March 13, 2017.RetrievedFebruary 18,2017.
  8. ^Schwartz, Larry (November 19, 2003)."Sweet victory".ESPN Classic.
  9. ^"PAYTON'S HOMETOWN A BITTER PLACE IN THE HEART".Chicago Tribune.January 24, 1986.RetrievedAugust 17,2022.
  10. ^Walter Payton A Football Life,retrievedAugust 17,2022
  11. ^ab"AT A GLANCE – Payton, Walter".Oxford African American Studies Center.RetrievedFebruary 4,2010.
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