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| Chicago Bear great Walter Payton running with the football. Source: https://www.blackpast.org/ african-american-history/payton-walter-jerry-1954-1999/ (May be subject to copyright) |
Teams could bottle him up for awhile, but he always found a way to get his yards.
He started on a team where he was the attraction, and he had to wait for everyone else to catch up.
When they did, they had one of the greatest seasons in NFL history.
I recently watched a “Football Life” on Walter Payton, and it just reminded me of the greatness that was Walter Payton.
Dawn of the decade
As the 1980s opened, Walter Payton was firmly entrenched as one of the premiere backs in the NFL. He was a most valuable player; an offensive player of the year; All-Pro; Pro Bowl selection; and rushing yards, rushing touchdowns and rushing attempts leader.
As the 1980s opened, Walter Payton was firmly entrenched as one of the premiere backs in the NFL. He was a most valuable player; an offensive player of the year; All-Pro; Pro Bowl selection; and rushing yards, rushing touchdowns and rushing attempts leader.
The Bears had made the playoffs in 1977 and 1979, but would be on the outside looking in starting in 1980.
Meanwhile, Walter Payton kept putting up great numbers. He rushed for 1,460 yards and six touchdowns in 1980; 1,222 yards and six touchdowns in 1981; 596 yards and one touchdown in the strike-shortened 1982 season; and 1,421 yards and six touchdowns in 1983.
Then the Bears caught up to Payton. They finally had a defence to dominate on that side of the ball as much as their star runningback did on the offensive side.
Breakthrough
Payton again was dominant in 1984, running for 1,684 yards, the second highest total of his career, and 11 touchdowns. Payton also broke Jim Brown’s career rushing record of 12,312 yards. He was a first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl selection as well.
Payton again was dominant in 1984, running for 1,684 yards, the second highest total of his career, and 11 touchdowns. Payton also broke Jim Brown’s career rushing record of 12,312 yards. He was a first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl selection as well.
The Bears improved to 8-8 in 1983, from 3-6 in the strike-shortened 1982 season, and in the 1984 season, began a major turnaround. The Bears finished 10-6, winning the NFC Central Division, and qualifying for the playoffs. They upset Washington, the defending NFC champions, in the NFC Divisional Game before losing to San Francisco who went on to win the Super Bowl.
That was just a hint of things to come.
Championship season
The Bears would turn in one of the greatest seasons in history. They went 15-1, shut out both their opponents in the NFC playoffs, and blew out New England for the club’s first and only Super Bowl championship.
The Bears would turn in one of the greatest seasons in history. They went 15-1, shut out both their opponents in the NFC playoffs, and blew out New England for the club’s first and only Super Bowl championship.
Payton led the offence with 1,551 yards rushing, nine touchdowns, was a first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl selection. He also had 49 receptions for 483 yards and two more touchdowns.
However, what has always bothered me was that in that Super Bowl blowout, Payton did not score a touchdown after all he had done for his team, especially through the lean years. Worse, William “The Refrigerator” Perry scored a touchdown on what amounted to a gimmick play. That was not cool.
The end
Walter Payton rushed for 1,333 yards and eight touchdowns in 1986, but his Bears lost to Washington in the divisional round. At the end of that season, he announced the 1987 season would be his last.
Walter Payton rushed for 1,333 yards and eight touchdowns in 1986, but his Bears lost to Washington in the divisional round. At the end of that season, he announced the 1987 season would be his last.
That season was shortened by a strike, and Payton was relegated to sharing rushing duties with Neal Anderson, who had been ordained his successor. Payton rushed for a career-low 533 yards and four touchdowns. The Bears again lost to Washington in the divisional round, and that would be Payton’s last game.
He finished his career rushing for 16,726, which was an NFL record, and 110 touchdowns. He also caught 492 passes for 4,538 yards and 15 touchdowns.
Payton was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1993.
Sadly, he died as a result of a rare liver disease in 1999. He was 46 years old.
Parting thoughts
There was no one like Walter Payton. He was just so smooth on the field, he just seemed to glide when he got into the open field. Yet, he was also able to dive over a pile, keep his balance enough to keep running, and he was not afraid to initiate contact. Add to that the fact he could catch the ball coming out of the backfield for significant yardage, and he was one of the best all-around backs in history.
There was no one like Walter Payton. He was just so smooth on the field, he just seemed to glide when he got into the open field. Yet, he was also able to dive over a pile, keep his balance enough to keep running, and he was not afraid to initiate contact. Add to that the fact he could catch the ball coming out of the backfield for significant yardage, and he was one of the best all-around backs in history.
I was also glad he was able to cap off that career with a Super Bowl championship. The only thing missing from his career was a touchdown in the Supper Bowl. His coach Mike Ditka, has said that is one of his biggest regrets.
Watching Walter Payton run was always so sweet.
After all he was “Sweetness”.
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