Remembering Walter Payton – The Greatest NFL Player of All-Time
12 years ago today the world lost a legend. The only defender to ever stop Walter Payton was a rare liver disease, making us all realize that even the greatest running back of all time was mortal. His motto was “Never Die Easy”, and he lived up to these words until the very end.
Walter Payton was my childhood hero, I had photos all over my wall, and collected every football card with his image I possibly could. He could play the role of Superman flying over the top of the goaline to score a touchdown, or have the grace of a dancer as he stutter-stepped through defenders. I remember watching a sports special about his work ethic, always running up and down the stadium steps, and always striving to be the best he could be. He did not celebrate touchdowns, and he did not complain about his team, or the organization, when they lost. He simply let his play do the talking and made those around him better for it.
Walter Payton was the fourth overall pick in the 1975 NFL draft, and a much needed runner for the Chicago Bears who had floundered since the days of Gale Sayers. His first season in the league was not much to write home about, rushing for only 679 yards, but that would soon change as “Sweetness” found his professional legs.
He was voted into the Pro-Bowl in 1977, and was even the games MVP. One of the highlights of 1977 was when he rushed for 275 yards against the rival Minnesota Vikings, a record breaker! What makes it even more amazing is that Payton was suffering from a major flu, with a temperature topping 101 degrees. These were the days of men playing no excuse football.
The Bears franchise still struggled, but things would soon change under the leadership of Head Coach Mike Ditka.
Ditka took the franchise from average to Super Bowl XX Champions over the course of only 3 years. The pinnacle was a Chicago Bears team that was larger than life. You had the hard nose Ditka as the General calling the shots with rebel quarterback Jim McMahon, speed demon Willie Gault, the cartoonish William Refrigerator Perry, one of the best defensive units in history, and of course, Walter Payton. The Bears were also forever etched in our memory for performing the first NFL team music video with the Super Bowl Shuffle. Yes, it might look cheesy in this 2011, but in 1986, nothing made Bears fans more proud.
The only negative about the Super Bowl was that Walter Payton did not score a touchdown, something every single fan wanted to see.
Walter Payton was the greatest running back to ever play the game, and we honor him today for everything he gave to the game of football, and the city of Chicago. He was an inspiration to me in my youth, and I am forever thankful for the memories.
Enjoy the ESPN Up Close Special with Walter Payton:
Part One
Part Two
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