Earlier this month Bears fans marked 42 years since 7 October 1984, the afternoon Walter Payton ran past Jim Brown to become the NFL's all-time leading rusher. It is a reminder of how much one man meant to Chicago.
They called him Sweetness, and for 13 seasons he gave the Bears grace and grit. Here is his story, plus ways to wear it from our Chicago Bears collection.
Walter Payton Fact File
| Full name | Walter Jerry Payton |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | 25 July 1954 (Hall of Fame record; some researchers give 1953) |
| Place of birth | Columbia, Mississippi, USA |
| Died | 1 November 1999, Illinois (aged 45 per official records) |
| Height | 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) |
| Position | Running back |
| Nationality | American |
| Current status | Retired (1987); Pro Football Hall of Fame member (1993) |
| Shirt number | 34 (retired by the Bears) |
| Nickname | Sweetness |
Career History
| Season | Games | Rush Yds | Rush TD | Rec Yds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | 13 | 679 | 7 | 213 |
| 1976 | 14 | 1,390 | 13 | 149 |
| 1977 | 14 | 1,852 | 14 | 269 |
| 1978 | 16 | 1,395 | 11 | 480 |
| 1979 | 16 | 1,610 | 14 | 313 |
| 1980 | 16 | 1,460 | 6 | 367 |
| 1981 | 16 | 1,222 | 6 | 379 |
| 1982 | 9 | 596 | 1 | 311 |
| 1983 | 16 | 1,421 | 6 | 607 |
| 1984 | 16 | 1,684 | 11 | 368 |
| 1985 | 16 | 1,551 | 9 | 483 |
| 1986 | 16 | 1,333 | 8 | 382 |
| 1987 | 12 | 533 | 4 | 217 |
| Career | 190 | 16,726 | 110 | 4,538 |
Note: figures are NFL regular season only, with the Chicago Bears, per Pro Football Reference. Rec Yds means receiving yards. 1982 was strike-shortened.
Early Years in Mississippi
Walter grew up in Columbia, Mississippi, and football was not his first love. He played drums in the school band and only joined the team once his older brother Eddie had moved on. His very first carry went 65 yards for a touchdown. After starring at Jackson State, he was taken fourth overall by the Bears in the 1975 draft.
Relive the Soldier Field years with our Walter Payton Bears American Football Icon Frame Men's Hoodie.
The 1977 Breakthrough
Payton led the NFC in rushing every season from 1976 to 1980, and 1977 was something else: 1,852 yards, 14 rushing touchdowns and the league MVP award. On 20 November that year, battling a fever, he ran for 275 yards against the Minnesota Vikings, a single-game record that stood for more than two decades.
Keep it classic with our Walter Payton Badge Men's T-Shirt.
The Record and Super Bowl XX
On 7 October 1984, in a 20-7 home win over the New Orleans Saints, Payton passed Jim Brown's career mark of 12,312 yards. A year later he was the heartbeat of the famous 1985 Bears, who beat the New England Patriots 46-10 in Super Bowl XX. He did not score that day, which coach Mike Ditka calls his biggest regret.
Wear the legend with our Walter Payton Men's Hoodie.
Final Seasons and Legacy
Payton bowed out after the 1987 season. He retired as the NFL's leader in rushing yards, carries and rushing touchdowns, and his 16,726 yards stayed top of the pile until Emmitt Smith passed him in 2002. He also started 178 consecutive games including play-offs, the most by any running back. He entered the Hall of Fame in 1993 and died on 1 November 1999.
Honours
Team
- Super Bowl XX champion (1985 season)
Individual
- NFL Most Valuable Player (1977)
- NFL Offensive Player of the Year (1977)
- Bert Bell Award (1985)
- NFL Man of the Year (1977)
- 9 Pro Bowl selections
- 5 times First-team All-Pro
Hall of Fame and All-Time Teams
- Pro Football Hall of Fame (1993)
- NFL 1970s and 1980s All-Decade Teams
- NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team (1994)
- NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team (2019)
- Number 34 retired by the Chicago Bears
Away From the Game
In 1999 the NFL renamed its Man of the Year award, which recognises community work, in his honour. In his final year he also spoke out publicly about organ donation, and his appeals are widely credited with boosting awareness.
FAQs
How old was Walter Payton when he died?
He died on 1 November 1999. Using the Hall of Fame birth date of 25 July 1954 he was 45, though some researchers date his birth to 1953, which would make him 46.
Where was Walter Payton born?
He was born in Columbia, Mississippi.
How tall was Walter Payton?
He stood 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in).
What teams did Walter Payton play for?
Only the Chicago Bears, from 1975 to 1987, after college at Jackson State.
How many rushing yards did Walter Payton have?
He finished with 16,726 regular-season rushing yards, an NFL record until 2002.
What was Walter Payton's greatest game?
Many fans pick 20 November 1977, when he ran for a then-record 275 yards against the Minnesota Vikings.
Shop the Walter Payton Collection
Pick your favourite Sweetness design, each made to order in the UK.
Explore more in our Chicago Bears collection and wider American Football collection, or design your own with the Custom Name Men's Hoodie.
Part of our Player Profiles series. Read next: Jerry Rice Career Story and Joe Montana Career Story.
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