Chicago great left legacy both on and off the gridiron
For those of us who were fortunate enough to see Walter Payton play for the Chicago Bears, we saw a nifty, versatile and often great running back.
Like Barry Sanders, who came after him, Payton spent his entire career with one team and throughout much of his career, Chicago was far from good. The lone bright spot in that stretch occurred in 1985, when the Bears, helmed by Mike Ditka and led by Payton, maverick quarterback Jim McMahon and a legendary 4-6 defense, went 15-1 and routed the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XX.
Despite playing on some below-average teams, “Sweetness” was a nine-time Pro Bowler who rushed for 16,726 yards and 110 touchdowns. He also had 492 receptions, including 15 touchdown catches, for 4,538 yards.
Payton played for Chicago for 13 years after being drafted out of Jackson State with the No. 4 overall pick in 1975. While in college, he was named Black College Player of the Year in both 1973 and 1974. Following his retirement, he was inducted into both the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the College Football Hall of Fame.
Payton’s prowess as a football player was unmatched, but so, too, was his character. Those who knew him best saw his humanitarian side and marveled about how he was as much of a credit to society as he was to the game he played.
In 1977, Payton earned the title of NFL Man of the Year, an award that goes to a player who exhibits character off the gridiron while also performing well on it. Payton died in 1999 at the age of 45 from complications to cancer caused by a rare liver disease, and the award that year was renamed in his honor after he spent the final days of his life helping to raise awareness about organ donation.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Make this following section a sidebar.
The NFL Man of the Year has been awarded since 1970, when Johnny Unitas was the first recipient. Here are the players who have won it since it became the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award:
2019: Calais Campbell, Jacksonville Jaguars
2018: Chris Long, Philadelphia Eagles
2017: J.J. Watt, Houston Texans
2016: Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals and Eli Manning, New York Giants
2015: Anquan Boldin, San Francisco 49ers.
2014: Thomas Davis, Carolina Panthers
2013: Charles Tillman, Chicago Bears
2012: Jason Witten, Dallas Cowboys
2011: Matt Brik, Baltimore Ravens
2010: Madieu Williams, Minnesota Vikings
2009: Brian Waters, Kansas City Chiefs
2008: Kurt Warner, Arizona Cardinals
2007: Jayson Taylor, Miami Dolphins
2006: Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints
2005: Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts
2004: Warrick Dunn, Atlanta Falcons
2003: Will Shields, Kansas City Chiefs
2002: Troy Vincent, Philadelphia Eagles
2001: Jerome Bettis, Pittsburgh Steelers
2000: Derrick Brooks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers / Jim Flanigan, Chicago Bears
1999: Cris Carter, Minnesota Vikings
