I met Walter and have pictures with him when he had his club in Schaumburg and when he came to Soto sound studio in Evanston for music, he came down to the Nichols school playgrd abd shot hoops with the kids.. signed my daughters autograph.. A TRUE SPIRIT AND LEGEND , never eill be another.. R I P WALTER PAYTON>
Pure Payton, Pure Football, Pure Human! Too many "me, me, me, it's all about me" in the game today! Even someone who idolizes you like Ladainian Tomlinson goes against a fundamental of yours and doesn't live up to your professional disciplined composer level e.g. he over celebrates & sometimes minutely smack talks post a good play. Dang man...I miss you bud! RIP!
he wanted to play a few more years too but the bears booted him out so they could have neal anderson be full time starter. coach ditka is still upset about the way the bears organization treated payton in the end. ditka said for everything payton gave to the bears and to the sport that he should have had the right to leave on his own terms.
@granturismo5101, it was. He played 1 more regular season game and then the divisional championship which they lost to the Redskins, (McMahon's 3 picks didn't help). Both games he ran for about 80 yards and caught 20 passing yards, no TD's.
unfortunately for walter, his greatest years were on sub par teams, like barry sanders in detroit, walter was was the reason you watched a bears game in those days, he was unbelievable. not the the fastest, quickest, or most powerful, but the best combination of all those attributes.
@AllPro777 Sad nobody know's who CFL legend George Reed is outside of Canada. They were both the greatest in their perspective leagues no doubt.Ive alway.s wondered what kind of career Reed would have had in the NFL,but 16,116 yards is out of this world,in any league.
When I said that I meant, that as a ground gainer, Reed was better. Considering the nature of the CFL game gives you less opportunities to run and is enormously pass happy, it was incredible that he was able to rack up that much yardage. George Reed would've been a beast in the NFL but the CFL paid more money. But Walter Payton was arguably the greatest football player who ever lived. He could literally play every position on the field and even played a game at QB in the NFL.
@AllPro777 george reed being a better runningback that payton. You say the CFL was incredibly 'pass happy'. This would give him an ADVANTAGE because most defenses would be built for the stopping the pass and not the run. This could be akin to Joe Montana dominating the 80's because most nfl teams in the 80's were run first and the 9'ers were pass first. Second, the NFL has ALWAYS been more talented than the CFL. the NFL is on a whole different level over the CFL
Nothing was easy for Walter not even this. Best running back ever! It kills me Emmitt Smith has the record that Walter deserves. Walter never played with any other players on offense that went to the hall of fame.
HERO isn't a big enough word for The Greatest Football Player to EVER Live. I was homeless in Chicago living on streets and found myself in Louisiana missing my home in Chicago I didn't have a family only family I could relate to was my Chicago Bears and my pretend father Walter Payton. When i return from GITMO and was driving heard on the radio the that he passed I almost ran off the road I made it home and hugged and kiss my wife & kids R.I.P Sweetness U are The Greatest.
@jbsmg, he was 33 when he retired. He announced his retirement at the end of the previous season, a 1333 yard effort that year. Some say he retired because of his illness. I can't find any facts to support that. Maybe he just wanted to go out still somewhat on top.
@Crommy5 The new book that came out says he was 34......and he lied about his age during his college career to try and win the Heisman Trophy.
He had lost a step, but IMO was still good. His last year, he was sharing time with Neil anderson and his stats suffered. Towards the end of the 1987 season, Anderson got hurt and they had to give the ball to Payton. Those last two games he averaged 4 yards a carry.
BTW, his last 18 games as a Bear he did not break 100 yards.
@Crommy5 I loved him. His last run happened to be a brusing run. Do you remember him playing? I was a baby when I didn't get to see but my pops always talks about him.
@lordvoldemort578, not living in a big city, I was fortunate enough to see Walter play a pre-season game in 1976 and a regular season game in 1986. He was sneaky fast and his ability to throw defenders off with his stutter steps was amazing. Truly a testament to the fact a guy doesn't have to be huge to make it in the NFL. I also appreciated his humble style of play, no flashy stuff that so many guys these days get caught up in.
@jbsmg Actually age 33 isn't that old to retire as a RB. The RBs that stay beyond that age are normally just part time role players only even in today's game.
@jbsmg Sadly, Payton just wasn't quite the effective runner anymore. It's something everyone understood at that point, even if they didn't want to admit it. If there's any truth to that book that was just released, he was dealing with a lot of pain, and when you consider the decline in performance and the physical abuse an NFL RB has to endure, the timing of his retirement made a lot of sense. Hate to admit it, but Neal Anderson was clearly the better runner at that point.
@mrmacross I do like the new book, but I didn't agree with that book that he wasn't effective anymore.
THe book failed to mention that they took out Suhey and had Anderson and Payton share the backfield for his last year. It also failed to mention that once Anderson got hurt and was out for the year, Payton carried the load in the last two games. Payton averaged 4 yards a carry in those last 2 games.
@jbsmg Read his autobiography. He was slowing down a little bit physically, but he still wanted to play. Mostly, he was being pressured to retire "on top" so that he could become the first minority owner of one of the new expansion teams. Unfortunately, for various reasons, that never happened.
THAT WAS THE ONLY TIME IN HIS CAREER, THAT I CAN REMEMBER HIM TOSSING THE BALL INTO THE STANDS LIKE THAT, HE WAS SO HUMBLE, HE WAS TRULY POETRY IN MOTION, R.I.P. MY CHILDHOOD HERO!!!!!
The best ever in my book, as both a player and a gentleman
Mack3181 4 weeks ago
I met Walter and have pictures with him when he had his club in Schaumburg and when he came to Soto sound studio in Evanston for music, he came down to the Nichols school playgrd abd shot hoops with the kids.. signed my daughters autograph.. A TRUE SPIRIT AND LEGEND , never eill be another.. R I P WALTER PAYTON>
jbraidedbeauty1 1 month ago
Pure Payton, Pure Football, Pure Human! Too many "me, me, me, it's all about me" in the game today! Even someone who idolizes you like Ladainian Tomlinson goes against a fundamental of yours and doesn't live up to your professional disciplined composer level e.g. he over celebrates & sometimes minutely smack talks post a good play. Dang man...I miss you bud! RIP!
Jerrico71 2 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
he wanted to play a few more years too but the bears booted him out so they could have neal anderson be full time starter. coach ditka is still upset about the way the bears organization treated payton in the end. ditka said for everything payton gave to the bears and to the sport that he should have had the right to leave on his own terms.
chibears26 2 months ago
Comment removed
chibears26 2 months ago
@granturismo5101, it was. He played 1 more regular season game and then the divisional championship which they lost to the Redskins, (McMahon's 3 picks didn't help). Both games he ran for about 80 yards and caught 20 passing yards, no TD's.
Crommy5 2 months ago
@Crommy5 thx
granturismo5101 2 months ago
unfortunately for walter, his greatest years were on sub par teams, like barry sanders in detroit, walter was was the reason you watched a bears game in those days, he was unbelievable. not the the fastest, quickest, or most powerful, but the best combination of all those attributes.
tomitstube 2 months ago
George Reed was better than Walter Payton.
AllPro777 3 months ago
@AllPro777 Sad nobody know's who CFL legend George Reed is outside of Canada. They were both the greatest in their perspective leagues no doubt.Ive alway.s wondered what kind of career Reed would have had in the NFL,but 16,116 yards is out of this world,in any league.
deeniemarie7 2 months ago
@deeniemarie7
When I said that I meant, that as a ground gainer, Reed was better. Considering the nature of the CFL game gives you less opportunities to run and is enormously pass happy, it was incredible that he was able to rack up that much yardage. George Reed would've been a beast in the NFL but the CFL paid more money. But Walter Payton was arguably the greatest football player who ever lived. He could literally play every position on the field and even played a game at QB in the NFL.
AllPro777 2 months ago
@AllPro777 are you insane?
ChicagoPatriot1776 1 month ago
@ChicagoPatriot1776
Insane about what?
AllPro777 1 month ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@AllPro777 george reed being a better runningback that payton. You say the CFL was incredibly 'pass happy'. This would give him an ADVANTAGE because most defenses would be built for the stopping the pass and not the run. This could be akin to Joe Montana dominating the 80's because most nfl teams in the 80's were run first and the 9'ers were pass first. Second, the NFL has ALWAYS been more talented than the CFL. the NFL is on a whole different level over the CFL
ChicagoPatriot1776 1 month ago
@MyMrlegit well he lied to u
Boyd3558 3 months ago
my coach said i am faster than Walter Payton check out my highlights
MyMrlegit 3 months ago
@MyMrlegit your coach is obivious a packer fan
Roxy11121 3 months ago
Walter made every Touchdown like it was his last.. R.I.P The Sweetness.
ShakuRrhymes 3 months ago
I love it when he throws the ball into the stands. This is the first play I remember seeing when I was a kid.
CFH7421 3 months ago
Im crying..... R.I.P my hero.... Your hero.... Our hero.... Walter payton
BrassMonkey5260 3 months ago
Nothing was easy for Walter not even this. Best running back ever! It kills me Emmitt Smith has the record that Walter deserves. Walter never played with any other players on offense that went to the hall of fame.
mikebears34 4 months ago
Thank you for this video
dropturdsonyou 4 months ago
u still see the agility and power in this run, rip brotha from a 49ers fan...
Snowboy2015 4 months ago
SALUDOS DESDE MEXICO, RECUERDO ESTE PARTIDO, LO TRANSMITIO CANAL 13 AQUI EN MEXICO, PAYTON ERA GENIAL
supergacela 4 months ago
Sweetness!
prairiemark 5 months ago
I was there. My first Bears game.
atfreema 5 months ago
HERO isn't a big enough word for The Greatest Football Player to EVER Live. I was homeless in Chicago living on streets and found myself in Louisiana missing my home in Chicago I didn't have a family only family I could relate to was my Chicago Bears and my pretend father Walter Payton. When i return from GITMO and was driving heard on the radio the that he passed I almost ran off the road I made it home and hugged and kiss my wife & kids R.I.P Sweetness U are The Greatest.
Marc82193 6 months ago 20
@Marc82193, nice testimony Marc. Thank you.
Crommy5 6 months ago
@Crommy5 Thanks Crommy5 I'm really upset with that Douche for writing that book.
Marc82193 4 months ago
@Marc82193 he could of played a couple more years i wish he got the ball more in his last season
tonyteb 4 months ago
@tonyteb I know right especially in that 88 season we went 14-2
Marc82193 4 months ago
Why did Payton retire? He wasn't that old, was he?
jbsmg 7 months ago
@jbsmg, he was 33 when he retired. He announced his retirement at the end of the previous season, a 1333 yard effort that year. Some say he retired because of his illness. I can't find any facts to support that. Maybe he just wanted to go out still somewhat on top.
Crommy5 7 months ago
@Crommy5 in walters book "Never Die easy" he says he retired because they drafted Neal Anderson.
djames2322 6 months ago
@djames2322 Really? That surprises me. I wonder if that is true?
jbsmg 6 months ago
@Crommy5 The new book that came out says he was 34......and he lied about his age during his college career to try and win the Heisman Trophy.
He had lost a step, but IMO was still good. His last year, he was sharing time with Neil anderson and his stats suffered. Towards the end of the 1987 season, Anderson got hurt and they had to give the ball to Payton. Those last two games he averaged 4 yards a carry.
BTW, his last 18 games as a Bear he did not break 100 yards.
jojopuppyfish 4 months ago
@Crommy5 Sad he died.
lordvoldemort578 3 months ago
@lordvoldemort578, truly. He did alot of great things, and could have done lots more.
Crommy5 3 months ago
@Crommy5 I loved him. His last run happened to be a brusing run. Do you remember him playing? I was a baby when I didn't get to see but my pops always talks about him.
lordvoldemort578 3 months ago
@lordvoldemort578, not living in a big city, I was fortunate enough to see Walter play a pre-season game in 1976 and a regular season game in 1986. He was sneaky fast and his ability to throw defenders off with his stutter steps was amazing. Truly a testament to the fact a guy doesn't have to be huge to make it in the NFL. I also appreciated his humble style of play, no flashy stuff that so many guys these days get caught up in.
Crommy5 3 months ago
@jbsmg he was then when he retired 2 years later he died
darkdude82 6 months ago
@darkdude82 walter retired in late 80's he died years later late 90's I think 98 or 99 I think 10years or so
bobbymarsh1 4 months ago
@jbsmg Actually age 33 isn't that old to retire as a RB. The RBs that stay beyond that age are normally just part time role players only even in today's game.
jflor98 5 months ago
@jbsmg Sadly, Payton just wasn't quite the effective runner anymore. It's something everyone understood at that point, even if they didn't want to admit it. If there's any truth to that book that was just released, he was dealing with a lot of pain, and when you consider the decline in performance and the physical abuse an NFL RB has to endure, the timing of his retirement made a lot of sense. Hate to admit it, but Neal Anderson was clearly the better runner at that point.
mrmacross 4 months ago
@mrmacross I do like the new book, but I didn't agree with that book that he wasn't effective anymore.
THe book failed to mention that they took out Suhey and had Anderson and Payton share the backfield for his last year. It also failed to mention that once Anderson got hurt and was out for the year, Payton carried the load in the last two games. Payton averaged 4 yards a carry in those last 2 games.
It was time to play Anderson.
jojopuppyfish 4 months ago
@jbsmg Read his autobiography. He was slowing down a little bit physically, but he still wanted to play. Mostly, he was being pressured to retire "on top" so that he could become the first minority owner of one of the new expansion teams. Unfortunately, for various reasons, that never happened.
cplbomba 4 months ago
@jbsmg no he had cancer
loveingthelord 4 months ago
Didn't he score twice in this game?
throwhammer 8 months ago
RIP Walter. We love and miss you.
SBXXChampions 9 months ago 14
THAT WAS THE ONLY TIME IN HIS CAREER, THAT I CAN REMEMBER HIM TOSSING THE BALL INTO THE STANDS LIKE THAT, HE WAS SO HUMBLE, HE WAS TRULY POETRY IN MOTION, R.I.P. MY CHILDHOOD HERO!!!!!
fan4life34 11 months ago 2
What a great way to remember a True Legend!!! What a class act athlete and person
whosbigdaddy1 1 year ago