1985 NFL Newspaper Ent. 34. Ending the 1986 season, Payton announced that he would retire following the 1987 season. Payton averaged 132.3 rushing yards per game and was voted the NFL's Most Valuable Player. It was an accomplishment that had solidified Walter's place in NFL history. He is remembered as one of the most prolific running backs in the history of American football. Payton retired miles ahead of his peers in rushing yards, but he logged an astounding touch total (4,330) in his 13-year career. 1977 NFL AP Offensive Player of the Year. Payton, who retired after the 1987 season as the then-all-time . It was originally called the NFL Man of the Year Award until 1999 when the league decided to honor the 1977 winner of the award forever. Author: As he always promised, it`s been fun for Walter Payton for almost every inch of those . Payton carried the ball two more times and gained seven yards to claim the record. In high school, Payton excelled in several sports and was also a member of the school band and choir. Chicago Bears running back Walter Payton — one of the greatest NFL players ever — died on Nov. 1, 1999, at age 45 of bile duct cancer and liver failure. Payton retired miles ahead of his peers in rushing yards, but he logged an astounding touch total (4,330) in his 13-year career. The latter illness is bile duct cancer, which doctors believe came from his liver disease. Walter finished his rookie season with 679 yards and . . At the time of his retirement in 1987, Sweetness held the records for most career rushing yards, carries, touchdowns, yards from scrimmage . Height: 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) Sports author Jeff Pearlman 's book . Although we know this, it's hard to fathom other players wearing a jersey we associate with a great player. Back in 2013 when the Bears retired Mike Ditka's #89 they made a statement that it would be the last. Eddie and Pam Payton know far more. . He married the former Trisha George on March 4, 2009 in Florida. He is remembered as one of the most prolific running backs in the history of American football. 1977 NFL AP Offensive Player of the Year. Also known for his charitable work, Payton succumbed to bile duct cancer on November 1, 1999. 1977 NFL Sporting News Player of the Year. 16,726 yards, and had also scored 110 touchdowns. Walter Payton. . Why did they call Walter Payton Sweetness? . When he retired, he held the record for most yards rushed by any NFL player in history, i.e. His jersey No. . Walter Payton, 34—retired Dec. 20, 1987; George Halas, . . . You know, Walter Payton was always a true champion. His Legacy Chicago went into full-scale mourning that Monday evening, a grieving that lasted the entire week. Pro Football Hall of Fame 1st team All-1970s Team. They were Mrs. Payton's other two blood children. Walter Payton was known around the NFL as "Sweetness". He had set several team . You remember Walter Payton, sad that he was taken so young at age 45, on Nov. 1, 1999, and you lament the good he would have done with his life had he not been stricken. Walter Jerry Payton (July 25, 1954 - November 1, 1999) was an American professional football player who was a running back for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). At New Orleans, Payton ripped off perhaps the best touchdown run of his career, finishing with 134 yards on 20 carries, the Bears' best rushing performance since Sayers resided in Chicago. Unlike other players, Walter Payton refused to celebrate or cheer on the field after scoring a touchdown. Date of Birth: Jul 25, 1954 - Nov 1, 1999 (45 years old) Gender: Male. After a 16-year career, retirement is still in the air for Rams' tackle Andrew Whitworth after winning his first Super Bowl and receiving Walter Payton Man of the Year honors. Instead, he just handed the ball to an official or another player and moved on. 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. He becomes a board member for the Chicago Bears, pursues business ventures in travel, real estate, restaurants, and clubs, and he endorses . Walter Payton's signature would occasionally feature his number (34) or his nickname "Sweetness." After his playing career ended in the mid-1990s, Payton started to market his signature to the masses. Walter Payton had a reputation for being caring of others, even his opponents. . Today is the birthday of the man known as "Sweetness." Walter Jerry Payton was born on this day in 1954 in Columbia, Miss. . Walter Jerry Payton | Encyclopedia.com Payton Makes His MVP Case: October 10, 1977. Payton, a nine-time Pro Bowl selectee, once held the . 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. He retired in 1987 as the leading rusher in the history of the National Football League (NFL), a title he held until 2002, when he was surpassed by Emmitt Smith. CHICAGO - Walter Payton, whose aggressive, elusive style made him the NFL's all-time rushing leader and took Chicago to its only Super Bowl victory, died today. After . Payton was elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1993 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 1996. Sweetness: The Enigmatic Life of Walter Payton, by Jeff Pearlman, Gotham Books, 496 pages By Paul Beston | October 25, 2011 Jeff Pearlman, a Sports 1977 NFL Sporting News Player of the Year. It was originally called the NFL Man of the Year Award until 1999 when the league decided to honor the 1977 winner of the award forever. . . The work Payton did in the community, and the impact his work still has today, is the reason the NFL now gives the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award to the player who best embodied the legacy of Payton with charity and volunteer work. The world knows Alyne Payton as Walter Payton's mother, but the world knows only a smidgen of her motherliness. Payton retired after the 1987 season, and the Bears immediately retired No. A nine-time Pro Bowl selectee, Payton is remembered as a prolific rusher, once holding records for career rushing yards, touchdowns, carries . On November 1st, 1999, legendary Bears running back Walter Payton passed away after a short illness. The Bears officially retired his jersey when he quit football on January 10, 1988. . His jersey No. The late Walter Payton was one of the NFL's most explosive players, breaking records the same way the powerful running back broke down defensive players. 1985 NFL Bert Bell Award (Player of the Year) 1985 NFL UPI Offensive Player of the Year. They called him Sweetness, but Chicago Bears great Walter Payton had a dark side, according to a biography to be released Oct. 4. . He retired in 1987 and was, at the time, the all-time leading rusher in the league's history. Payton played football in high school and at Jackson State University in Mississippi. Mrs. Payton died earlier this week at the age of 87. 1985 NFL Bert Bell Award (Player of the Year) 1985 NFL UPI Offensive Player of the Year. Apart from playing football, Payton spends his time recording music. I should point out that the 1977 season featured a 14-game schedule. Assoc. The closest player from Payton's era to that mark, Tony Dorsett . . MVP. Walter Payton will go down as one of the best running backs to play in the NFL and the best running back in Chicago Bears franchise history. The record books confirm that. 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. In the original version of this story, I did not know the actual date of Walter Payton's jersey retirement, and instead estimated it . Assoc. Walter Payton. Walter Payton's career. But even to those closest to him, he had always been an enigma, and in his final years the mysteries deepened. Walter Payton was a famous running back for the NFL's Chicago Bears. Although 1975 began with a performance that didn't merit writing home about, the season finale did. He is regarded as one of the greatest football players of all time. Not only did he put the Bears in scoring position but also put him within five yards of O.J. . Walter Payton was known around the NFL as "Sweetness". In his final year, Payton split carries with Neal Anderson and only earned 533 yards. 275 - Walter Payton, Chicago Bears vs. Minnesota Vikings, 11/20/77 273 - O.J. Walter Payton retired following the 1987 season. Chicago Bears running back Walter Payton — one of the greatest NFL players ever — died on Nov. 1, 1999, at age 45 of bile duct cancer and liver failure. 34 is retired . If mother's wore jerseys, Alyne Payton's number would long ago have been retired. Walter Payton died from complications from an autoimmune liver disease called primary sclerosing cholangitis and cholangiocarcinoma in November 1999. Walter Jerry Payton (July 25, 1954 - November 1, 1999) was an American professional football player who was a running back for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL) for 13 seasons. A new book on football star Walter Payton claims that the Hall of Fame inductee running back abused drugs, had affairs, and threatened to commit suicide. Instead, he earned the nickname "Sweetness" during a college practice when he eluded a tackler and shouted back, "sweetness is your weakness". However, that is not how he earned his nickname. The Player. 1985 NFL Newspaper Ent. Although Walter Payton's national football career lasted only 13 seasons, he made a mark in the industry by setting new records. Walter Jerry Payton (July 25, 1954 - November 1, 1999) was an American football running back who played for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL) for thirteen seasons. Pro Football Hall of Fame 1st team All-1970s Team. Large flecks of dirt were turning to mud in his eyes, and now Payton stood helpless in the resulting . Did Walter Payton ever kick a field goal? He left the game with 10 1,000-yard rushing seasons, and 77 100-yard games. To some he represented the blue collar, hardworking. Payton was a nine-time Pro Bowler, a seven-time First-Team All-Pro selection, a Bert Bell Award winner, and was named to the All-Decade Team in both the 1970s and 1980s. He retired from . THE HERO NO ONE KNEW. MVP. Walter Payton 1954 - 1999 Retired professional football player At a Glance … Competed in High School Most Valuable Player Became a Superstar Became a Super Bowl Champion Contracted a Deadly Disease Sources Simpson, Buffalo Bills vs. Detroit . He retired in 1987 and passed away after a few years at the relatively young age of forty-five after suffering from bile duct cancer. At the end of the 1987 regular season, Walter Payton announced his retirement from the game. Simpson''s single-game rushing record of 273 yards. When he retired after the 1987 season, Payton found himself searching for meaning in places where no . Jarrett Walter Payton (born December 26, 1980) is a former American football running back. After struggling with the rare liver disease primary sclerosing cholangitis for several months, Payton died on November 1, 1999, aged 45, from cholangiocarcinoma. Walter Payton, #34 of the Chicago Bears, signs autographs during training camp in 1987 . The wedding date . Net Worth: $3 Million. Walter Jerry Payton (July 25, 1954 - November 1, 1999) was an American football running back who played for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL) for thirteen seasons. Early Years and Career Walter Jerry Payton was born on July 25, 1954, in Columbia, Mississippi. Retirement years (1988 - 1999). The work Payton did in the community, and the impact his work still has today, is the reason the NFL now gives the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award to the player who best embodied the legacy of Payton with charity and volunteer work. Known. . Walter Payton Biography - Walter Payton was an American footballer who played for the Chicago Bears. That`s his plan. 1977 NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year. Payton retired after the 1987 NFL season. In 13 seasons in the Windy City, he rushed for 16,726 yards, a record that stood until 2002 when it was broken by Emmitt Smith. Long after Walter Payton has retired, he will be taking the ball and running with it. College: Florida A&M 34 Walter Payton - RB 1975-1987 College: Jackson State 40 Gale Sayers - RB/KR 1965-1971 College: Kansas . One of the game's true icons, a player so esteemed that the NFL's Man of the Year Award bears his name, Walter Payton retired in 1988 as pro football's alltime leading rusher. He retired in 1987 and was, at the . Payton, a nine-time Pro Bowl selectee, once held the . Payton chose 33 when he played with the Titans because #34 was retired in honor of Earl Campbell. Payton was one of the most durable . Walter Payton used a variety of prescription medications during his days on the field to deal with the pain from injuries and general football soreness. He was born in Columbia, Mississippi on July 25, 1953 to Peter and Alyne . Walter Payton was a famous running back for the NFL's Chicago Bears. 1977 NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year. During October of that year, rumors and speculation ran rampant in the press about Payton's condition, until November 1st, when it was announced he had passed away. He was described by his coach Mike Ditka as one of the greatest football players he had ever seen. 34 is retired . The tears rolled down Walter Payton's cheeks like the tributaries of a river, flowing across the wide flood plain that his face has become since he retired from the Chicago Bears five years ago as the NFL's alltime leading rusher. Payton is not idle after his retirement. His 13 year career with the Chicago Bears yielded 16,726 rushing yards; a record that stood until 2002 until Emmitt Smith bettered it. The closest player from Payton's era to that mark, Tony Dorsett . To many, he was the epitome of greatness.