There are those of us, like myself, who remember watching Payton run the ball and him having his characteristic high-stepping leg kick scoring touchdowns. There are the stiff arms and the times he would run through defenders instead of running around them. He would never run out-of-bounds and delivered more punishment than he took. His running style was unique and very effective. The proof is in his stats.
People will also remember his leaping ability. There were several times when Payton would just jump, without a “run”, high in the air and over top of those trying to tackle him.
Payton was not one to participate too much in celebrations on the field. The age of lengthy and creative touchdown celebrations was starting to come into popularity at the time Payton played but he would have none of that. He got into the end zone many times over his career but never indulged in celebrating his “victories”. He wasn’t one to show off.
The memories of Payton still linger and there are still reminders of him. One way that Payton is remembered is through the NFL’s Walter Payton Man of the Year Award. The honor is given yearly to an NFL player who does excellent charity work and is exemplary on the field. Some of the award’s past winners include Anquan Boldin, Drew Brees and former Chicago Bear Charles Tillman.
The Walter and Connie Payton foundation has done a lot of work since Payton’s passing. They concentrate on spreading the word about organ donations and try to gather support. The organization does a lot of fund-raising work and sponsors several events including a run called the Sweetness run as well as a toy drive among other events. The three remaining members of the Payton family, Connie, Jarrett and Brittany are very active in the foundation.
Several NFL players have credited Payton with being their inspiration as football players, in particular, running back. LaDainian Tomlinson, now retired, credited Payton with being a big inspiration in his effort to become a top NFL rusher. Even the “enemy” idolized Payton. Ahman Green, a retired former Green Bay Packers running back stated that Payton was one of his idols growing up. Emmitt Smith, the retired Dallas Cowboys start is said to have cried following his breaking Payton’s record as the all-time leading rusher. He idolized Payton as well.
And then there was Payton’s son, Jarrett. Inspired by his father, Jarrett completed his college career as a running back at the University of Miami. He went on to play in the NFL with the Tennessee Titans as well as NFL Europe, the Canadian Football League and the Indoor Football League. He is a champion of his father’s legacy yet today.
Several books have been written about Payton over the last few years. Payton, along with Don Yaeger, put together thoughts on his life in the book Never Die Easy. That is a great recollection of his life. There are several other books as well, all worth reading.
The legacy of Walter Payton lives on. Bears fans will always remember his greatness, his style and his contribution to the NFL’s most storied franchise. For this writer, he was not only the greatest Bear of all but the greatest football player of all time.
Perhaps Mike Ditka summed it up best. He called Payton “the very best football player I’ve ever seen, period, at any position.”
He may easily be the best football player ever both on and off the field.