Walter Payton (July 25, 1954 – November 1, 1999) was an American football player who spent his entire professional career with the National Football League's Chicago Bears. Walter Payton was known around the NFL as "Sweetness". He is remembered as one of the most prolific running backs in the history of American football. Payton, a nine-time Pro Bowl selection, once held the League’s record for most career rushing yards, touchdowns, carries, and many other categories. He was elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1993. Hall of Fame NFL player and coach Mike Ditka described Payton as the greatest football player he had ever seen—but even greater as a human being.
Payton began his football career in Mississippi, and went on to have an outstanding collegiate football career at Jackson State University where he was an All-American. He started his professional career with the Bears in 1975, who selected him as the 1975 Draft’s fourth overall pick. Payton proceeded to win two NFL Player of the Year Awards, and won Super Bowl XX with the 1985 Chicago Bears. After struggling with the rare a liver disease for several months, Payton died on November 1, 1999.
Career highlights and awards
* 9× Pro Bowl selection (1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986)
* 6× First-team All-Pro selection (1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1984, 1985)
* 3× Second-team All-Pro (1976, 1983, 1986)
* 1977 NFL MVP
* 1977 PFWA NFL MVP
* 1977 NEA NFL MVP
* 1985 UPI NFC Player of the Year
* 1977 UPI NFC Player of the Year
* 1978 Pro Bowl MVP
* Super Bowl XX Champion
* Chicago Bears #34 retired
Pro Football Hall of Fame - 1993
College Football Hall of Fame - 1996
Payton began his football career in Mississippi, and went on to have an outstanding collegiate football career at Jackson State University where he was an All-American. He started his professional career with the Bears in 1975, who selected him as the 1975 Draft’s fourth overall pick. Payton proceeded to win two NFL Player of the Year Awards, and won Super Bowl XX with the 1985 Chicago Bears. After struggling with the rare a liver disease for several months, Payton died on November 1, 1999.
Career highlights and awards
* 9× Pro Bowl selection (1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986)
* 6× First-team All-Pro selection (1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1984, 1985)
* 3× Second-team All-Pro (1976, 1983, 1986)
* 1977 NFL MVP
* 1977 PFWA NFL MVP
* 1977 NEA NFL MVP
* 1985 UPI NFC Player of the Year
* 1977 UPI NFC Player of the Year
* 1978 Pro Bowl MVP
* Super Bowl XX Champion
* Chicago Bears #34 retired
Pro Football Hall of Fame - 1993
College Football Hall of Fame - 1996
