rdfs:comment | - 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. 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 selectee, once held the league's record for most career rushing yards, touchdowns, carries, yards from scrimmage, all-purpose yards, and many other categories. His eight career touchdown passes are an NFL record for non-quarterbacks. 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 be
- Walter Payton (July 25, 1954 – November 1, 1999) was a NFL player for the Chicago Bears from 1975-1987. He was the all-time leading rusher in rushing yards until Emmitt Smith broke the record in 2002. He was drafted 4th overall by the Bears in 1975 after playing college football for Jackson State. In 1984, Payton broke Jim Brown's all-time rushing record. During the Bears' Super Bowl year in 1985, Payton and quarterback Jim McMahon helped pave the way to the league's #2 offense. Payton also participated in the Super Bowl Shuffle, as well as Super Bowl XX, but did not score a touchdown, as he was repeatedly targeted by New England Patriots defenders. In a later interview, head coach Mike Ditka stated that not allowing Payton to score was one of his biggest regrets. In his final season (1987
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abstract | - Walter Payton (July 25, 1954 – November 1, 1999) was a NFL player for the Chicago Bears from 1975-1987. He was the all-time leading rusher in rushing yards until Emmitt Smith broke the record in 2002. He was drafted 4th overall by the Bears in 1975 after playing college football for Jackson State. In 1984, Payton broke Jim Brown's all-time rushing record. During the Bears' Super Bowl year in 1985, Payton and quarterback Jim McMahon helped pave the way to the league's #2 offense. Payton also participated in the Super Bowl Shuffle, as well as Super Bowl XX, but did not score a touchdown, as he was repeatedly targeted by New England Patriots defenders. In a later interview, head coach Mike Ditka stated that not allowing Payton to score was one of his biggest regrets. In his final season (1987), he split duties with Neal Anderson. His number (34) was retired by the Bears, and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1993. In 1999, Payton announced that he had a rare liver disease, which eventually led to bile duct cancer, and Payton passed away on November 1, 1999 at age 45. In honor of Payton, the Bears wore #34 patches during the season. Payton was honored by former teammate Dan Hampton in 2005, and a pregame ceremony was held in his honor on November 1, 2009 against the Cleveland Browns, exactly 10 years after Payton's death.
- 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. 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 selectee, once held the league's record for most career rushing yards, touchdowns, carries, yards from scrimmage, all-purpose yards, and many other categories. His eight career touchdown passes are an NFL record for non-quarterbacks. 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 Most Valuable Player Awards and won Super Bowl XX with the 1985 Chicago Bears. After struggling with the rare liver disease primary sclerosing cholangitis for several months, Payton died on November 1, 1999, aged 45, from cholangiocarcinoma. His legacy includes the Walter Payton Award, the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, and a heightened awareness of the need for organ donations.
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