Walter Payton

Walter Jerry Payton was born in Columbia, Mississippi. Playing in the marching band as a drummer before taking up football in high school, Payton attended Jackson State University, an HBCU, where he scored 65 touchdowns and earned his famous moniker 'Sweetness' for his smooth, graceful running style and warm, infectious personality.

Drafted fourth overall by the Chicago Bears in 1975, Payton became the engine of the entire franchise during a decade of mediocrity. Embodying his personal motto 'Never Die Easy', Payton never stepped out of bounds to avoid a hit, punishing defenders with his forearm shiver while using his patented high-stepping stutter to leave tacklers grasping at air. On 20 November 1977, despite suffering from a 101-degree flu, Payton rushed for an NFL single-game record 275 yards against Minnesota.

Payton's crowning team triumph came in 1985, leading Mike Ditka's legendary '85 Bears' (15-1) to victory in Super Bowl XX over New England. On 7 October 1984 against New Orleans, Payton broke Jim Brown's all-time NFL rushing record, eventually retiring with 16,726 rushing yards, 110 touchdowns, and missing only one game in thirteen bruising NFL seasons. In 1999, after being diagnosed with a rare liver disease, Payton courageously advocated for organ donation before his death at age forty-five, prompting the NFL to rename its Man of the Year charity award in his memory.