Walter Payton
American football player (1953–1999)
Who was Walter Payton?
Walter Payton lived from July 25, 1954 to November 1, 1999. Payton began his football career in Mississippi and went on to have an outstanding college football career at Jackson State University playing for the Tigers, where he was named Little All-American twice. Walter Jerry Payton (July 25, 1953 – November 1, 1999) was an American professional football running back who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 13 seasons with the Chicago Bears. He started his professional career with the Chicago Bears in 1975, who selected him with the 1975 draft's fourth overall pick. 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).
He has held NFL records for career rushing yards, touchdowns, carries, yards from scrimmage, all-purpose yards, and many other categories.
Historical significance
Nicknamed "Sweetness", he is widely regarded as one of the greatest football players of all time. Payton proceeded to win the 1977 AP NFL Most Valuable Player Award and won Super Bowl XX with the 1985 Chicago Bears. A nine-time Pro Bowl selection, Payton is remembered as a prolific rusher.
