"The Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award is presented annually by the NFL honoring a player's volunteer and charity work, as well as his excellence on the field. Prior to 1999, it was called simply the NFL Man of the Year Award."
Before Walter Payton announced he was sick, there were rumors floating about his health. He did not look well. There was no scandal. He had something called primary sclerosing cholangitis, a rare liver disease. He became a spokesman for organ transplants even though he himself could not get one. The disease had caused bile duct cancer making him ineligible for a transplant. The reality is that Walter is the most popular athlete in Chicago history. Michael Jordan is god-like but Walter is loved. His son Jarrett had a short NFL career and is a member of the Chicago sports media. His daughter Brittney is an news anchor for a local television station.
Lifelong Bears fan here. Walter Payton is still the most loved Bear player ever even more than 20 years after he passed away because he wasn't just one of the all time great players but by every account he was also just a wonderful and loving human being that was kind to everyone. Also, Courtney, you should react to Dick Butkus, 85 Bears defense, Gale Sayers/Brian Piccolo (the 1971 movie "Brian's Song") and Devin Hester. Obviously I'm biased though lol
"To those who really care about me, pray for me and to those who are going to say what they want to say, may God be with you also." That quote refers to the gossips who had noticed that Payton had lost a lot of weight and were whispering that he might have AIDS, at a time when AIDS was still stigmatized as a gay man's disease, and being gay in itself was also stigmatized. This is why Payton had to call the press conference to announce that he had liver disease, which, being a very private individual, he really didn't want to do. But, of course, as you would expect, he handled it with class.
He always thanked his offensive line after the game and they loved him and would do anything for him. He was really strong with powerful legs and would use his forearm like a club - which is what people called it: the club. Plus he could cut on a dime as you saw. And his dispostion was sweetness and he loved Chicago . meaning its people. No ego. He trained exceedingly hard and pushed himself. The best person.
PLEASE LISTEN: I: Born: 1978, Chicago. Fam watched ALL Bears games & my brother was front page of the Chicago Tribune on Superbowl Sunday. I lived, breathed & have also seen every clip in this video, but Walter was a part of a VERY special '85 Bears team that broke many historical records & were said to have perhaps been the best NFL team ever by John Madden. I, with my parents' help wrote a letter to the quarterback Jim McMahon #09. The madness that erupted in Chicago when & during our Superbowl "run" (where you go through the playoffs) was "epic of epic." The city basically shut down on Superbowl Sunday & NO MATTER WHERE UNLESS ON EMERGENCY DUTY was anyone to be in trouble for watching the Superbowl. The whole city took in a mighty breath & stood motionless until we scored our first touchdown, and from there you could see the most beautiful fanship from black to white, from who to who. & We all went nuts!.... TOTALLY NUTS!!!! I remember watching the Superbowl & running into my parent's party & yelling about the next touchdown & my parents who had dinner guests often would just put me on their shoulders & I'd celebrate! It's truly rare to see a team like the '85 Bears, because they're a perfect storm in the perfect city & it was EPIC in so many more ways than just that! YOU MIGHT DO A SHOW ON THE 85 BEARS: th-cam.com/video/dzHd3H1PKjg/w-d-xo.html
By far my favorite RB of all time never went out of bounds, played on crappy teams if he had Emmitt Smith's O-line he would have put up Jerry Rice like numbers. He did it a;;run,catch,block and even throw
I remember in 1977 when he literally all by himself willed the Bears into the playoffs. You know you have a problem at QB when your running back is a better passer than both Bob Avellini and Vince Evans.
I still have my Walter Payton signed Wheaties box (the one his photo was featured on), encased in a glass box in my room. My all time favorite player... from a lifetime Bears fan.
The day he passed was one of the saddest days. Every interview I ever saw with him he impressed me by going out of his way to show everyone around him respect. The world lost a great man that day.
Angelo S. More important in my opinion. Being a great player means a lot. Being a great man means much more. The Man of the Year Award is named for him for a reason.
When someone asks me who I think was the best running back ever I just say out of everyone that I LOVED to watch Walter run. It was like watching a ballet. He was so graceful and fast. He was really exciting to see him seemingly just float down the field. I will never forget that.
My dad always told me, and often, about the time his band played in Chicago, and because Walter was also a drummer, and liked their drummer, he signed all their instruments.
Yeah. I wish that you had been clued in to the fact that he had passed away. I could really feel your reaction when you learned that he'd died. It was a very sad day. He was a great player and a good man.
His son is named Jarrett Payton and he played running back for the University of Miami back in the early 2000's and he also played in the NFL for a short time.
Payton never celebrated/danced/showboated after a touchdown or completing a big play. Once asked why he didn't, like all the other players do, and he responded: "why should I? That's what I'm paid to do (meaning - I'm paid to score touchdowns and make big plays). He never got mad when tackled or with late hits - tremendous sportsmanship displayed every game. His accomplishments: over 16k yds rushing; over 4k pass receiving; over 400 yds passing with 8 TD passes and no interceptions (played QB for a set of downs in a game); routinely practiced and unofficial 3rd string punter (35-45 yd punts in practice); was 3rd string place kicker (routinely practiced and could hit 30-35 yds field goals); the day he broke the single game rushing yards he had the flu and a 102 temp; was often touted as being the best blocking back ever; and missed only 1 game (flu, 102 temp and vomiting in locker room) in 13 years. No other RB can match ALL that he could do. Hands down the most complete football player and running back - ever.
Living in Chicago I had the privilege of watching Sweetness play each Sunday. He was the best football player, all around, ever. His son Jarred is a sportscaster in Chicago, and his daughter Brittany is a TV news reporter in Chicago. When he died, the whole city mourned.
Courtney first of all, Rip To The Greatest Running Back of all time, Sweetness Walter Payton. Walter played hurt, sick n only missed one game out of his career. He died young at the age of 46 of primary sclerosing cholangitis which is Liver Disease. U can't tell any Running back, like Emmet Smith, Barry Sanders, Eric Dickerson & even Jim Brown will tell U that Walter Payton was admired by all of them n he worked hard on his craft. Career history Chicago Bears (1975-1987) Career highlights and awards Super Bowl champion (XX) NFL Most Valuable Player (1977) NFL Offensive Player of the Year (1977) NFL Man of the Year (1977) 5× First-team All-Pro (1976, 1977, 1980, 1984, 1985) 3× Second-team All-Pro (1978, 1979, 1986) 9× Pro Bowl (1976-1980, 1983-1986) NFL rushing yards leader (1977) NFL rushing touchdowns leader (1977) 4× NFL rushing attempts leader (1976-1979) Bert Bell Award (1985) NFL 1970s All-Decade Team NFL 1980s All-Decade Team NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team Chicago Bears No. 34 retired 100 greatest Bears of All-Time First-team Little All-American (1974) Second-team Little All-American (1973) NFL record Most consecutive starts by a running back: 170 Career NFL statistics Rushing yards: 16,726 Yards per carry: 4.4 Rushing touchdowns: 110 Receptions: 492 Receiving yards: 4,538 Receiving touchdowns: 15 Player stats at NFL.com · PFR Pro Football Hall of Fame College Football Hall of Fame.
He was a Soul Train Dancer. His nickname was "Sweetness" but there was nothing sweet about the punishment he used to deal out to his opponents with his running style.
in my high school football days(many moons ago), our coach added hill running as well as running up the stadium bleachers to all of our practices. We all gave credit to Payton for setting the standard and that extra bit o' hell after each practice...
For the first 7 or 8 years of his career, he was the whole team. Losing season after losing season he carried the whole team. Glad to see at the end he finally got some talent around him.
the only thing that stunk they never let him get a td in the sb after all he did for that team it made me mad when they handed that ball off to the fridge
I knew going in that you didn't know the story, so I wasn't looking forward to the end because I knew it would shock you. Walter Payton was as smooth as silk on the field, and one of the classiest and coolest dudes ever in pro sports off the field. When I was in college, I was lucky enough to score tickets to Super Bowl XX, Chicago Bears vs. New England Patriots, in New Orleans. The Bears absolutely mutilated the Patriots in that game and I was honored to get to finally see Payton run in person...but I was also upset that the Bears coaching staff didn't put a play in the game to allow him to score a touchdown, even though the game was a blow-out. The Walter Payton Award is one of the two most coveted awards in the NFL (along with MVP), because it goes to the player with the most class and the most generous and charitable character.
The NFL has an award named after him. It goes to a player for their service to the community off of the football field. His son eventually played in the NFL briefly and his daughter was a newscaster.
He was celebrated for his running ability. But he also was a "blocking back." Most premium running backs don't block for their quarterback, indeed some are discouraged from doing it lest they get injured. Payton was fearless..he would block anyone. He also was a passing back...the quarterback would pitch him the ball and Payton would pass the ball forward. He also ran downfield and received passes. He played 170 consecutive games, missing only one game and that was because he was ill and the coach would not let him play. He had 108 games where he gained over 100 yards and passed the ball for eight touchdowns. He was designated as the "emergency punter"...if the regular punt kicker was unable to play, Payton was his replacement! He was simply amazing...and he was a gentleman. They called him "Sweetness" because he almost never got angry or upset. I would suspect he drew fewer penalties than any other top player in the game.
I'm really glad You liked the video. Deep down I knew You would. I wasn't trying to be sneaky about his death, but I was looking for something that was Good, not too long and mentioned, but didn't dwell on his illness/death. It turned out the way You picked up on it and the degree to which You chose to run with it (see what I did there) made it perfect. Thank You. I'm working on, What's Next? Until then, You Look Good, Thank You and Just Keep on Being You : ) p.s. Loved the Bug Comment
Hey there Court, I got to see Walter play back in the 1980's. He was an amazing running back. No fear, loved contact. A lot of skill and talent. He was a class act. He was special! Gone too soon. Damn cancer. The man set the standard for running backs. Plus he was a good man. Had a sense of community about him. He cared for his fellow humankind. One of the biggest awards in the NFL is the Walter Payton award. A cherished honor.
This was a good video to watch since I am a huge Chicago Bears fan.. Walter Payton was an awesome player and person all around. I met his son and he is just as nice.. Nice family. I was very fortunate enough to watch him play. When he quit was the year I graduated from High School. It was a sad day when he retired and when he died. Walter was diagnosed with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) in 1998. I even find myself tearing up now after watching this video and your reaction to hearing this for the first time because it was how I felt when he first held a press conference and broke down. I too suffer from a liver disease. Mine is a non-alcoholic Sclerosis of the liver. It was caused by a medication. Thank you for watching this video even though I am late on watching this.. I am a recent subscriber.
Walter Peyton signed my football during a visit to Schofield Barracks in the 80s while I was stationed there. Super nice guy. Very humble and down to earth.
When you see the quality of people that have won the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, and the high standards that they have reached in doing good works off of the playing field, and how that award is valued throughout the NFL, you can get a sense of how highly this special man was regarded. When you see his image on the uniform of an award winner, you know that that player must also be quite special.
Two comments: Walter Payton, Michael Jordan -- and Ernie Banks! If anything, "Mister Cub," "Mister Sunshine" was even more beloved. When the Chicago Cubs finally won their first World Series since 1908 -- in 2016 -- fans traveled to his gravesite and showered Ernie Banks's resting place with bouquets and baseball memorabilia because one of the greatest players in baseball history never won a World Series ring. Second, the "controversy" was Walter Payton took ill at such a young age and at the height of the AIDS crisis. Payton had such a soft, gentle voice, and was so good-looking, some opposing players whispered he was gay, and the rumor spread. They may have said this openly, on the field, I don't know, but imagine the trash talk on the football field. Everybody loved Walter Payton, including opposing fans, truly a supreme human being.
Thank you for doing a vid on Sweetness. By far and away my favorite NFLer of all time. Arguably the best running back ever. More importantly he did charity work, was a great father, and a truly great man. Men like him are once in a lifetime, if you're exceptionally lucky.
Yes. It was a very sad day when Walter announced the liver illness. His wonderful autobiography Never Die Easy was completed after he passed. Walter was deeply hurt when Coach Mike Ditka forgot to make sure that Sweetness was given an opportunity to score a touchdown in the Bears 1985 Super Bowl XX rout win over New England.
As a player Sweetness had the quickness and agility to easily escape would be tacklers but would seem to deliberately home in on defenders much larger than himself to deliver a punishing blow or spectacularly break a tackle. He loved contact. Keep in mind he was not a large man. But he was as hard and fierce on the field as he was kind and resolute off the field. He lived a dozen lives in his short time on this Earth.
React to the other LT( Ladainian Tomlinson) by Blitz Highlights. He was the chargers running back who broke the single season rushing touchdowns and consider one of the best RBs of all time
Sweetness was Great!!... Just to let you know about his son is ... He turned out to be a very outstanding young man ... I saw him at the Super Bowl here in Miami . He wasn't playing in the Super Bowl but he was a guest on a radio show when I saw him... His son was a running back at the University of Miami....
Walter was a very special person. I feel was someone that treated everyone the same. He would so u respect no matter. Physically he was not big compared to those around him but he was very Tough. And he was known for that hill workout. Several Pros tried to do that workout with him and none could keep up. He worked very hard and played a hard I hit u b4 u hit me game. Everyone knew just how he was going to play. Hard and clean and he was one of the most respected players of the time. And heck even now. It was a sad time when he got sick and passed.
Walter Payton was the Greatest. I grew up watching him. At my Grandma Sharon's house. A roast cooking to eat during the game. She died young as well. I was 14 years old. 1994 it devastated me.
Hi Courtney, Walter was my idol growing up, he would look for a hit to keep going instead of going out of bounds to avoid the hit. What an inspiration!!! Take the hard road to achieve the goal.
He was great with kids. At Plattville Wis. training camp during breaks he would play football with the kids. My children are in their 40's and can say they played football with Walter Paton. His son Jerad played for the Tn. Titans for several years.
I had the privilege of watching Walter and the Bears play at Soldier Field. He was a absolute master running back. He loved contact. He would look for someone to crash in to. Larry Csonka was the same kind of runner. Larry got flagged in one game when he knocked a defensive back out. Beast of a runner. He could fake you right out of your shoes.
Walter had one of the greatest quotes of all time: “When you’re good at something, you will tell everyone. When you’re great at something, they will tell you..”
Just imagine if "Sweetness" had the same caliber of offensive line that Emmitt Smith had for his career. NO ONE would have caught Walter's record were that the case. Also, Courtney, The Chicago Bears (Go Bears!) have had a bit of a curse for a bit, investigate "Brian's Song" which is about a team mate of Gale Sayers and Brian Piccolo, also somewhat tragic.
i was a dealer at the Taj Mahal in Atlantic City NJ...I dealt black jack to him just few months before he died, not sure if i have the last autograph he ever signed, but was one of my favorite nights working in a casino
Payton was awesome. Another good one Courtney was Alstott. Don't recall who said it, but I remember a defensive back saying he hated seeing Alstott get the ball because he knew it was going to hurt. On a good run, it took two or three players to get him down.
All of that power at only 202 pounds. He used to run up a long steep hill over and over. Other people would try with him and end up throwing up. A true legend and a fine man too.
Nicknamed sweetness by his team mates because he really was such a nice guy. He was also a notorious prankster and their are many stories of the tricks he played on people.
I've decided to subscribe because I like your healthy curiosity for the U S sports. I'm a L A Ca. man and am a big sports fan. I like your reaction videos. As for Walter Payton, he was the epitome of the ideal athlete. He was a leader, a good teammate, he was the very definition of dedication and effort and he was always a gentleman. He was never flashy or cocky and always led by example. He was truly an icon. Keep up the good work. Laita!
I was never a fan of the Chicago Bears, but anyone who loved football, loved, and respected Walter Payton. He was called “Sweetness” because his moves were pure poetry. The only one who is even close is Barry Sanders. Both were hamstrung by being on bad teams. The respect for him is what makes him immortal.
Court, Walter was superman on the football field. I had the honor of watching play at Soldier Field. He was amazing. Such a stud. He loved contact. Some backs would avoid getting hit. The great ones looked for it. You may want to review Larry Conska, or John Riggins. All of these men were beyond great. Superstars!!! Yes Court he died of cancer. So sad...
Walter Payton was one of the nicest guys I ever met. He hung out with me in the hotel lobby for an hour chatting and kept taking my hat making me chase him. I was 11 years old. It was 3 years before he died. He came to my town for the Oklahoma city bombing charity softball game
One bitter note to his career. For many of the seasons he was with the Bears they weren't very good. They finally became a great team late in his career. And when they finally won the Super Bowl, it was a very one-sided game. They could have called a play for him to get a touchdown but didn't. The last time they were down close they gave the ball to a defensive lineman as kind of a gimmick. That should have been Payton's moment.
Payton wasn’t only the most powerful exciting runner in football, he was the best blocking back in football, he could pass and threw more touchdowns than any other back, he played QB for a series when the Bears last QB was injured, and he even stepped in and punted several times. He was a great pass catcher, he returned punts and kickoffs, and delivered jarring tackles when the other team got the ball. He didn’t celebrate like todays players do. When he scored a touchdown, he quietly gave the ball to the nearest offensive lineman. He played because he loved the game. He was a notorious prankster in the locker room and in the Bears headquarters building. Everyone loved this soft spoken man who never acted like the true superstar he was. There will never be another like Sweetness.
Walter Payton was a gentleman and a true example of sportsmanship. He deserved to live a longer life. He had a teammate that also was a fine leader; his name is Mike Singletary and he was one of the most cerebral and tough linebackers to ever wear a Bears uniform.
There's other players that have broken records since but nobody with the same combination of athleticism and style. Adrian Peterson is fast and can run guys over but he doesnt jump over every one for a touchdown when you're on the goal line. Emmitt smith was short and a good cutter, barry sanders was similar but walter was just so tough its crazy to think of. He never ran out of bounds. He blocked for his quarterback. Solid stiff arm. Fast. Great moves. And of the highest character. Rare indeed.
Chicago native. Grew up with Sweetness as my Halloween costume for more than a few years. The thing that isn’t said here… he would look to hit you before you hit him. It was the heart of his game.
He was the NFL rushing leader before Dallas Emmitt Smith. He was ALSOa Soul Train Dancer when he was in college. He passed from cancer, but not before people rumored he had HIV. SAD!
Walter Payton use to strengthen his legs by running up and down hills and also by running up and down the stadium steps before and after football games.
Nothing but class on the field. No spiking no dancing scored the TD Flipped the ball to the ref or just dropped it and back to the sideline. Even when he was snubbed by Ditka in the Super Bowl it was his teammates who complained.
I remember as a young kid in 1977 watching Walter Payton literally all by himself willed the Chicago Bears into a playoff spot. The Bears that season had one of the worst starting QBs in Bob "Slo-Mo" Avellini under center. There were times that season that Avellini was so bad that they had to resort to Walter Payton playing under center and throwing the football when he wasn't running. For the first half of his career, he was all the Bears had on offense until things changed under Mike Ditka.
I think they are associating his liver disease with his use of pain killers. Certain types of pain killers are known to have adverse effects on the liver.
You need to watch the Football Life of Walter Payton. He was incredibly strong could Leg press over 600 lbs. And Bench press over 400 lbs. And belonged in the 1000 lbs club and only a handful of Players are able to say that. And for only being 200 lbs. Pound for pound he was the Strongest man ♂️ ever seen for his time. But he worked harder than anyone else on and off the field. And other Players from other teams would try to do what he was doing but just couldn't keep up with Walter Payton... Great Show 👍
I watched him his whole career. Didn't celebrate touchdowns and bought nice gifts for his offensive line for their blocking protection. Wiki post: After scoring touchdowns, Payton declined to celebrate; instead, he would often hand the ball to his teammates or the official. He disapproved of the growing practice of touchdown celebrations; he preferred post-game antics such as rushing into the locker room and locking his teammates out in the cold while taking a long shower.[12] Although Payton would have won the respect of his peers and coaches by his running alone, he retired as the career leader in receptions for a running back with 492 for over 4,500 yards,[29][notes 3] and still holds the career record for a running back with 8 touchdown passes.
The Bears are 100 years old, and have had many stars over that time. So it's a really big deal that Walter Payton is so prominent. The Bears have titles in 1921, 1932, 1933, 1940, 1941, 1943, 1946, 1963, and 1985.
Would recommend watching the blue devils 2014 show victory run. You watched the tilt 2014, but that was only 2nd. You will see god when you turn up the volume. Also it’s probly gonna be a vid with a lot of views.
"The Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award is presented annually by the NFL honoring a player's volunteer and charity work, as well as his excellence on the field. Prior to 1999, it was called simply the NFL Man of the Year Award."
Before Walter Payton announced he was sick, there were rumors floating about his health. He did not look well. There was no scandal. He had something called primary sclerosing cholangitis, a rare liver disease. He became a spokesman for organ transplants even though he himself could not get one. The disease had caused bile duct cancer making him ineligible for a transplant.
The reality is that Walter is the most popular athlete in Chicago history. Michael Jordan is god-like but Walter is loved. His son Jarrett had a short NFL career and is a member of the Chicago sports media. His daughter Brittney is an news anchor for a local television station.
Lifelong Bears fan here. Walter Payton is still the most loved Bear player ever even more than 20 years after he passed away because he wasn't just one of the all time great players but by every account he was also just a wonderful and loving human being that was kind to everyone. Also, Courtney, you should react to Dick Butkus, 85 Bears defense, Gale Sayers/Brian Piccolo (the 1971 movie "Brian's Song") and Devin Hester. Obviously I'm biased though lol
You said it well. Walter is loved. A man of true character.
I still don't know why the coach didn't give him the ball so he could get a touchdown in the superbowl
@@markschade6951 Fun fact I live in CHS and go to his high school and he was a family friend
I remember when I was a kid learning that his son played in the Canadian football league
"To those who really care about me, pray for me and to those who are going to say what they want to say, may God be with you also." That quote refers to the gossips who had noticed that Payton had lost a lot of weight and were whispering that he might have AIDS, at a time when AIDS was still stigmatized as a gay man's disease, and being gay in itself was also stigmatized. This is why Payton had to call the press conference to announce that he had liver disease, which, being a very private individual, he really didn't want to do. But, of course, as you would expect, he handled it with class.
He wasn't just a great football player, he was a great MAN. To this day, the NFL gives an annual award to the best PERSON named after him.
He always thanked his offensive line after the game and they loved him and would do anything for him. He was really strong with powerful legs and would use his forearm like a club - which is what people called it: the club. Plus he could cut on a dime as you saw. And his dispostion was sweetness and he loved Chicago . meaning its people. No ego. He trained exceedingly hard and pushed himself. The best person.
He bought his o-line Rolex watches!
As a kid, I used to pretend I was Walter during backyard football games
Walter was unbelievable and glad I had a chance to watch him play - yup I'm old!
So did I!
@@justinsmyth3211 Same
@@rg20322 I envy you!
Me too!
PLEASE LISTEN: I: Born: 1978, Chicago. Fam watched ALL Bears games & my brother was front page of the Chicago Tribune on Superbowl Sunday. I lived, breathed & have also seen every clip in this video, but Walter was a part of a VERY special '85 Bears team that broke many historical records & were said to have perhaps been the best NFL team ever by John Madden. I, with my parents' help wrote a letter to the quarterback Jim McMahon #09. The madness that erupted in Chicago when & during our Superbowl "run" (where you go through the playoffs) was "epic of epic." The city basically shut down on Superbowl Sunday & NO MATTER WHERE UNLESS ON EMERGENCY DUTY was anyone to be in trouble for watching the Superbowl. The whole city took in a mighty breath & stood motionless until we scored our first touchdown, and from there you could see the most beautiful fanship from black to white, from who to who. & We all went nuts!.... TOTALLY NUTS!!!! I remember watching the Superbowl & running into my parent's party & yelling about the next touchdown & my parents who had dinner guests often would just put me on their shoulders & I'd celebrate! It's truly rare to see a team like the '85 Bears, because they're a perfect storm in the perfect city & it was EPIC in so many more ways than just that! YOU MIGHT DO A SHOW ON THE 85 BEARS: th-cam.com/video/dzHd3H1PKjg/w-d-xo.html
"Sweetness" was Payton's nickname...and it was WELL deserved,
Fun fact I live in CHS and go to his high school and he was a family friend
Walter died and because of how outstanding of a man he was the NFL Man of the Year is now called the Walter Payton Man of the Year.
By far my favorite RB of all time never went out of bounds, played on crappy teams if he had Emmitt Smith's O-line he would have put up Jerry Rice like numbers. He did it a;;run,catch,block and even throw
I remember in 1977 when he literally all by himself willed the Bears into the playoffs. You know you have a problem at QB when your running back is a better passer than both Bob Avellini and Vince Evans.
I still have my Walter Payton signed Wheaties box (the one his photo was featured on), encased in a glass box in my room. My all time favorite player... from a lifetime Bears fan.
Fun fact I live in CHS and go to his high school and he was a family friend
The day he passed was one of the saddest days. Every interview I ever saw with him he impressed me by going out of his way to show everyone around him respect. The world lost a great man that day.
I cried like a baby. I still get choked up and emotional
Fun fact I live in CHS and go to his high school and he was a family friend
The NFL "Man Of The Year" award is called the "Walter Peyton Award".
yeah, what he said
Payton not peyton
@@rcracer8872 My bad!
Just as important as the MVP award in my opn6
Angelo S. More important in my opinion. Being a great player means a lot. Being a great man means much more. The Man of the Year Award is named for him for a reason.
Tell ya what. I grew up south of Chicago. Im glad Im old enough to have seen Sweetness run the ball.
When someone asks me who I think was the best running back ever I just say out of everyone that I LOVED to watch Walter run. It was like watching a ballet. He was so graceful and fast. He was really exciting to see him seemingly just float down the field. I will never forget that.
My dad always told me, and often, about the time his band played in Chicago, and because Walter was also a drummer, and liked their drummer, he signed all their instruments.
RIP to one of the greatest player EVER! When my son played pee wee, his team was The Bears and he got #34. He’s 35 now and the shirt hangs in a frame.
Yeah. I wish that you had been clued in to the fact that he had passed away. I could really feel your reaction when you learned that he'd died. It was a very sad day. He was a great player and a good man.
His son is named Jarrett Payton and he played running back for the University of Miami back in the early 2000's and he also played in the NFL for a short time.
Fun fact I live in CHS and go to his high school and he was a family friend
Payton never celebrated/danced/showboated after a touchdown or completing a big play. Once asked why he didn't, like all the other players do, and he responded: "why should I? That's what I'm paid to do (meaning - I'm paid to score touchdowns and make big plays). He never got mad when tackled or with late hits - tremendous sportsmanship displayed every game. His accomplishments: over 16k yds rushing; over 4k pass receiving; over 400 yds passing with 8 TD passes and no interceptions (played QB for a set of downs in a game); routinely practiced and unofficial 3rd string punter (35-45 yd punts in practice); was 3rd string place kicker (routinely practiced and could hit 30-35 yds field goals); the day he broke the single game rushing yards he had the flu and a 102 temp; was often touted as being the best blocking back ever; and missed only 1 game (flu, 102 temp and vomiting in locker room) in 13 years. No other RB can match ALL that he could do. Hands down the most complete football player and running back - ever.
Living in Chicago I had the privilege of watching Sweetness play each Sunday. He was the best football player, all around, ever. His son Jarred is a sportscaster in Chicago, and his daughter Brittany is a TV news reporter in Chicago. When he died, the whole city mourned.
I live in Chicago too man. Unfortunately I didn't get to watch him but hes legacy aswell ad Jordans will always live on
Courtney first of all, Rip To The Greatest Running Back of all time, Sweetness Walter Payton. Walter played hurt, sick n only missed one game out of his career. He died young at the age of 46 of primary sclerosing cholangitis which is Liver Disease. U can't tell any Running back, like Emmet Smith, Barry Sanders, Eric Dickerson & even Jim Brown will tell U that Walter Payton was admired by all of them n he worked hard on his craft. Career history
Chicago Bears (1975-1987)
Career highlights and awards
Super Bowl champion (XX)
NFL Most Valuable Player (1977)
NFL Offensive Player of the Year (1977)
NFL Man of the Year (1977)
5× First-team All-Pro (1976, 1977, 1980, 1984, 1985)
3× Second-team All-Pro (1978, 1979, 1986)
9× Pro Bowl (1976-1980, 1983-1986)
NFL rushing yards leader (1977)
NFL rushing touchdowns leader (1977)
4× NFL rushing attempts leader (1976-1979)
Bert Bell Award (1985)
NFL 1970s All-Decade Team
NFL 1980s All-Decade Team
NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team
NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team
Chicago Bears No. 34 retired
100 greatest Bears of All-Time
First-team Little All-American (1974)
Second-team Little All-American (1973)
NFL record
Most consecutive starts by a running back: 170
Career NFL statistics
Rushing yards: 16,726
Yards per carry: 4.4
Rushing touchdowns: 110
Receptions: 492
Receiving yards: 4,538
Receiving touchdowns: 15
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR
Pro Football Hall of Fame
College Football Hall of Fame.
He was a Soul Train Dancer. His nickname was "Sweetness" but there was nothing sweet about the punishment he used to deal out to his opponents with his running style.
in my high school football days(many moons ago), our coach added hill running as well as running up the stadium bleachers to all of our practices. We all gave credit to Payton for setting the standard and that extra bit o' hell after each practice...
For the first 7 or 8 years of his career, he was the whole team. Losing season after losing season he carried the whole team. Glad to see at the end he finally got some talent around him.
the only thing that stunk they never let him get a td in the sb after all he did for that team it made me mad when they handed that ball off to the fridge
In a Super Bowl blowout they let The Fridge score a touchdown and not Walter. What a dick move, although I expect that Walter was ok with it.
Walter Payton was a class act, both on and off the football field.
I knew going in that you didn't know the story, so I wasn't looking forward to the end because I knew it would shock you. Walter Payton was as smooth as silk on the field, and one of the classiest and coolest dudes ever in pro sports off the field. When I was in college, I was lucky enough to score tickets to Super Bowl XX, Chicago Bears vs. New England Patriots, in New Orleans. The Bears absolutely mutilated the Patriots in that game and I was honored to get to finally see Payton run in person...but I was also upset that the Bears coaching staff didn't put a play in the game to allow him to score a touchdown, even though the game was a blow-out. The Walter Payton Award is one of the two most coveted awards in the NFL (along with MVP), because it goes to the player with the most class and the most generous and charitable character.
As a Packers fan, I appreciate Walter's greatness. He was easily one of the top five running backs in history.
Top 3
Top 2 actually
The NFL has an award named after him. It goes to a player for their service to the community off of the football field.
His son eventually played in the NFL briefly and his daughter was a newscaster.
He was celebrated for his running ability. But he also was a "blocking back." Most premium running backs don't block for their quarterback, indeed some are discouraged from doing it lest they get injured. Payton was fearless..he would block anyone. He also was a passing back...the quarterback would pitch him the ball and Payton would pass the ball forward. He also ran downfield and received passes. He played 170 consecutive games, missing only one game and that was because he was ill and the coach would not let him play. He had 108 games where he gained over 100 yards and passed the ball for eight touchdowns. He was designated as the "emergency punter"...if the regular punt kicker was unable to play, Payton was his replacement! He was simply amazing...and he was a gentleman. They called him "Sweetness" because he almost never got angry or upset. I would suspect he drew fewer penalties than any other top player in the game.
I'm really glad You liked the video. Deep down I knew You would. I wasn't trying to be sneaky about his death, but I was looking for something that was Good, not too long and mentioned, but didn't dwell on his illness/death. It turned out the way You picked up on it and the degree to which You chose to run with it (see what I did there) made it perfect. Thank You. I'm working on, What's Next? Until then, You Look Good, Thank You and Just Keep on Being You : ) p.s. Loved the Bug Comment
Being from Chicago and still living here it was a sad day when he passed away.We love him very much and miss him so much.#34 is da best of all time
Hey there Court,
I got to see Walter play back in the 1980's. He was an amazing running back. No fear, loved contact. A lot of skill and talent. He was a class act. He was special! Gone too soon. Damn cancer. The man set the standard for running backs. Plus he was a good man. Had a sense of community about him. He cared for his fellow humankind. One of the biggest awards in the NFL is the Walter Payton award. A cherished honor.
This was a good video to watch since I am a huge Chicago Bears fan.. Walter Payton was an awesome player and person all around. I met his son and he is just as nice.. Nice family. I was very fortunate enough to watch him play. When he quit was the year I graduated from High School. It was a sad day when he retired and when he died. Walter was diagnosed with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) in 1998. I even find myself tearing up now after watching this video and your reaction to hearing this for the first time because it was how I felt when he first held a press conference and broke down. I too suffer from a liver disease. Mine is a non-alcoholic Sclerosis of the liver. It was caused by a medication. Thank you for watching this video even though I am late on watching this.. I am a recent subscriber.
Walter Peyton signed my football during a visit to Schofield Barracks in the 80s while I was stationed there. Super nice guy. Very humble and down to earth.
When you see the quality of people that have won the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, and the high standards that they have reached in doing good works off of the playing field, and how that award is valued throughout the NFL, you can get a sense of how highly this special man was regarded. When you see his image on the uniform of an award winner, you know that that player must also be quite special.
Two comments: Walter Payton, Michael Jordan -- and Ernie Banks! If anything, "Mister Cub," "Mister Sunshine" was even more beloved. When the Chicago Cubs finally won their first World Series since 1908 -- in 2016 -- fans traveled to his gravesite and showered Ernie Banks's resting place with bouquets and baseball memorabilia because one of the greatest players in baseball history never won a World Series ring. Second, the "controversy" was Walter Payton took ill at such a young age and at the height of the AIDS crisis. Payton had such a soft, gentle voice, and was so good-looking, some opposing players whispered he was gay, and the rumor spread. They may have said this openly, on the field, I don't know, but imagine the trash talk on the football field. Everybody loved Walter Payton, including opposing fans, truly a supreme human being.
It's a testament to how awesome a dude Barry Sanders was that he could have easily beaten Walter's record, but chose to retire instead.
one of the most humble people ever to play the game
It's cool how emotional you get while watching.
Greatest football player ever, I miss him
Amen! I am chocking up now, ev though decades have passed since he played and passed away.
Thank you for doing a vid on Sweetness. By far and away my favorite NFLer of all time. Arguably the best running back ever. More importantly he did charity work, was a great father, and a truly great man. Men like him are once in a lifetime, if you're exceptionally lucky.
After Walter retired he said his huge block for the touchdown was his favorite personal highlight
My Favorite Running Back of ALL Time !! He was SOOOO AMAZING !!
My favorite football player of all time. Period!
Yes. It was a very sad day when Walter announced the liver illness. His wonderful autobiography Never Die Easy was completed after he passed. Walter was deeply hurt when Coach Mike Ditka forgot to make sure that Sweetness was given an opportunity to score a touchdown in the Bears 1985 Super Bowl XX rout win over New England.
As a player Sweetness had the quickness and agility to easily escape would be tacklers but would seem to deliberately home in on defenders much larger than himself to deliver a punishing blow or spectacularly break a tackle. He loved contact. Keep in mind he was not a large man. But he was as hard and fierce on the field as he was kind and resolute off the field. He lived a dozen lives in his short time on this Earth.
React to the other LT( Ladainian Tomlinson) by Blitz Highlights. He was the chargers running back who broke the single season rushing touchdowns and consider one of the best RBs of all time
Good ol Mississippi boy!! Truly a pleasure to watch.
Sweetness was Great!!... Just to let you know about his son is ... He turned out to be a very outstanding young man ... I saw him at the Super Bowl here in Miami . He wasn't playing in the Super Bowl but he was a guest on a radio show when I saw him... His son was a running back at the University of Miami....
Walter was a very special person. I feel was someone that treated everyone the same. He would so u respect no matter. Physically he was not big compared to those around him but he was very Tough. And he was known for that hill workout. Several Pros tried to do that workout with him and none could keep up. He worked very hard and played a hard I hit u b4 u hit me game. Everyone knew just how he was going to play. Hard and clean and he was one of the most respected players of the time. And heck even now. It was a sad time when he got sick and passed.
Walter Payton was the Greatest. I grew up watching him. At my Grandma Sharon's house. A roast cooking to eat during the game. She died young as well. I was 14 years old. 1994 it devastated me.
Hi Courtney, Walter was my idol growing up, he would look for a hit to keep going instead of going out of bounds to avoid the hit. What an inspiration!!! Take the hard road to achieve the goal.
He was great with kids. At Plattville Wis. training camp during breaks he would play football with the kids. My children are in their 40's and can say they played football with Walter Paton. His son Jerad played for the Tn. Titans for several years.
I had the privilege of watching Walter and the Bears play at Soldier Field. He was a absolute master running back. He loved contact. He would look for someone to crash in to. Larry Csonka was the same kind of runner. Larry got flagged in one game when he knocked a defensive back out. Beast of a runner. He could fake you right out of your shoes.
Walter had one of the greatest quotes of all time:
“When you’re good at something, you will tell everyone. When you’re great at something, they will tell you..”
Just imagine if "Sweetness" had the same caliber of offensive line that Emmitt Smith had for his career. NO ONE would have caught Walter's record were that the case. Also, Courtney, The Chicago Bears (Go Bears!) have had a bit of a curse for a bit, investigate "Brian's Song" which is about a team mate of Gale Sayers and Brian Piccolo, also somewhat tragic.
i was a dealer at the Taj Mahal in Atlantic City NJ...I dealt black jack to him just few months before he died, not sure if i have the last autograph he ever signed, but was one of my favorite nights working in a casino
I’m a Packers fan and yet still think Walter Payton was the greatest halfback of all time, nothing but respect.
Payton was awesome. Another good one Courtney was Alstott. Don't recall who said it, but I remember a defensive back saying he hated seeing Alstott get the ball because he knew it was going to hurt. On a good run, it took two or three players to get him down.
I get emotional anytime I see a Walter Payton video. He died way too young. I was 13 hus rookie year.
All of that power at only 202 pounds. He used to run up a long steep hill over and over. Other people would try with him and end up throwing up. A true legend and a fine man too.
Walter was truly a great one. He left us way too soon.
I would watch Courtneys reaction even to a bug crawling up a wall!
Nicknamed sweetness by his team mates because he really was such a nice guy. He was also a notorious prankster and their are many stories of the tricks he played on people.
His son Jarrett Payton played in the Canadian Football League and was also once the MVP of NFL Europe.
I've decided to subscribe because I like your healthy curiosity for the U S sports. I'm a L A Ca. man and am a big sports fan. I like your reaction videos. As for Walter Payton, he was the epitome of the ideal athlete. He was a leader, a good teammate, he was the very definition of dedication and effort and he was always a gentleman. He was never flashy or cocky and always led by example. He was truly an icon. Keep up the good work. Laita!
Yes! I was starting to get worried with all the guaranteed vids, but this is a goodin!
Love a good football vid! :)
Check out Earl Campbell of the Houston Oilers and Barry Sanders of the Detroit Lions.
He passed away 22 years ago today. He is and always will be the BEST! RIP Sweetness
I was never a fan of the Chicago Bears, but anyone who loved football, loved, and respected Walter Payton. He was called “Sweetness” because his moves were pure poetry. The only one who is even close is Barry Sanders. Both were hamstrung by being on bad teams. The respect for him is what makes him immortal.
One of the few NFL stars that could truly be one to follow and emulate. Even if your team was the opponent you loved Sweetness.
Court,
Walter was superman on the football field. I had the honor of watching play at Soldier Field. He was amazing. Such a stud. He loved contact. Some backs would avoid getting hit. The great ones looked for it. You may want to review Larry Conska, or John Riggins. All of these men were beyond great. Superstars!!! Yes Court he died of cancer. So sad...
Coach Ditka should have given him the chance at the touchdown in Super Bowl XX. But that’s not as tragic as his early death. He was a great man
He passed away from bile duct cancer super rare no treatment no cure. RIP Mr. Payton.
Walter Payton was one of the nicest guys I ever met. He hung out with me in the hotel lobby for an hour chatting and kept taking my hat making me chase him. I was 11 years old. It was 3 years before he died. He came to my town for the Oklahoma city bombing charity softball game
Yes finally "sweetness " !!
Tanasity, wrk ethics, balance. The man who made me fall in love with FB
One bitter note to his career.
For many of the seasons he was with the Bears they weren't very good. They finally became a great team late in his career. And when they finally won the Super Bowl, it was a very one-sided game. They could have called a play for him to get a touchdown but didn't. The last time they were down close they gave the ball to a defensive lineman as kind of a gimmick. That should have been Payton's moment.
I wasn't old enough to watch him play, but what an honor it would have been...RIP to the Great Walter Payton
Payton wasn’t only the most powerful exciting runner in football, he was the best blocking back in football, he could pass and threw more touchdowns than any other back, he played QB for a series when the Bears last QB was injured, and he even stepped in and punted several times. He was a great pass catcher, he returned punts and kickoffs, and delivered jarring tackles when the other team got the ball. He didn’t celebrate like todays players do. When he scored a touchdown, he quietly gave the ball to the nearest offensive lineman. He played because he loved the game. He was a notorious prankster in the locker room and in the Bears headquarters building. Everyone loved this soft spoken man who never acted like the true superstar he was. There will never be another like Sweetness.
I’ve been sending this video to you for months - so cool you are watching it
Walter Payton was a gentleman and a true example of sportsmanship. He deserved to live a longer life. He had a teammate that also was a fine leader; his name is Mike Singletary and he was one of the most cerebral and tough linebackers to ever wear a Bears uniform.
There's other players that have broken records since but nobody with the same combination of athleticism and style. Adrian Peterson is fast and can run guys over but he doesnt jump over every one for a touchdown when you're on the goal line. Emmitt smith was short and a good cutter, barry sanders was similar but walter was just so tough its crazy to think of. He never ran out of bounds. He blocked for his quarterback. Solid stiff arm. Fast. Great moves. And of the highest character. Rare indeed.
Chicago native. Grew up with Sweetness as my Halloween costume for more than a few years. The thing that isn’t said here… he would look to hit you before you hit him. It was the heart of his game.
I hope you will watch the "Super bowl shuffle, it's walter and the 85 chicago bears and it was for charity.
He was the NFL rushing leader before Dallas Emmitt Smith. He was ALSOa Soul Train Dancer when he was in college. He passed from cancer, but not before people rumored he had HIV. SAD!
You and Sweetness just made my day
Walter Payton use to strengthen his legs by running up and down hills and also by running up and down the stadium steps before and after football games.
Nothing but class on the field. No spiking no dancing scored the TD Flipped the ball to the ref or just dropped it and back to the sideline. Even when he was snubbed by Ditka in the Super Bowl it was his teammates who complained.
walter peyton was one of the greatest
I wanna see you do like, Hester, Butkus, urlacher, and peanut too lol
I remember as a young kid in 1977 watching Walter Payton literally all by himself willed the Chicago Bears into a playoff spot. The Bears that season had one of the worst starting QBs in Bob "Slo-Mo" Avellini under center. There were times that season that Avellini was so bad that they had to resort to Walter Payton playing under center and throwing the football when he wasn't running.
For the first half of his career, he was all the Bears had on offense until things changed under Mike Ditka.
"Tell me why legends always gotta die quick"
I think they are associating his liver disease with his use of pain killers. Certain types of pain killers are known to have adverse effects on the liver.
You need to watch the Football Life of Walter Payton. He was incredibly strong could Leg press over 600 lbs. And Bench press over 400 lbs. And belonged in the 1000 lbs club and only a handful of Players are able to say that. And for only being 200 lbs. Pound for pound he was the Strongest man ♂️ ever seen for his time. But he worked harder than anyone else on and off the field. And other Players from other teams would try to do what he was doing but just couldn't keep up with Walter Payton... Great Show 👍
Walter Payton The GREATEST of ALL G.O.A.T!
I break down every time I see these videos. Sweetness is eternal.
Have you reacted to Barry Sanders? He should be next. He was so amazing.
I watched him his whole career. Didn't celebrate touchdowns and bought nice gifts for his offensive line for their blocking protection.
Wiki post:
After scoring touchdowns, Payton declined to celebrate; instead, he would often hand the ball to his teammates or the official. He disapproved of the growing practice of touchdown celebrations; he preferred post-game antics such as rushing into the locker room and locking his teammates out in the cold while taking a long shower.[12] Although Payton would have won the respect of his peers and coaches by his running alone, he retired as the career leader in receptions for a running back with 492 for over 4,500 yards,[29][notes 3] and still holds the career record for a running back with 8 touchdown passes.
The Bears are 100 years old, and have had many stars over that time. So it's a really big deal that Walter Payton is so prominent.
The Bears have titles in 1921, 1932, 1933, 1940, 1941, 1943, 1946, 1963, and 1985.
Would recommend watching the blue devils 2014 show victory run. You watched the tilt 2014, but that was only 2nd. You will see god when you turn up the volume. Also it’s probly gonna be a vid with a lot of views.
The deaths of Walter Payton and Sean Taylor are the only times I have cried over the deaths of people I had never met