Remembering a Legend: The Life of Walter Payton
In February of 1999, Payton admitted to the world that he was suffering for a very rare disease that affected his liver called primary schlerosing cholangitis. This disease was most likely the cause of the bile duct cancer which Payton suffered from. The illness was terminal.
Not being one to lie down and give up without a fight, Payton continued to be strong throughout the last few months of his life. He participated in public awareness about organ donation doing some public service announcements about the value of that kind of donation. Using his fame he hoped to help others in spite of not being able to be helped himself.
The last time the public saw Payton was at Wrigley Field in April 1999. He threw out the first pitch at a Cubs game with his former head coach, Mike Ditka. You could see that the disease was weakening Payton greatly. Still he fought on.
The greatest battle of his life ended on November 1st, 1999.
The NFL honored Payton immediately and the Bears added special #34 logos on their uniforms soon after his passing.
His family had a public funeral. There were several famous speakers present including teammates from the Bears, including Dan Hampton. The reverend Jesse Jackson was there as was “then” NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue. There was also a private service that had several well-known attendees. The Governor of Illinois at the time, George Ryan was there as was Chicago’s Mayor Richard Daley. Many of his former teammates came.
But even though he was gone, he was definitely not forgotten. His legacy lives on even 17 years after his death.