History of Walter Payton in Timeline

Walter Payton, nicknamed "Sweetness", was a celebrated American professional football running back for the Chicago Bears for 13 seasons. He is widely considered one of the greatest football players in history. His remarkable career was defined by his exceptional athleticism, durability, and dedication, establishing him as a legendary figure in the NFL.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Legacy & Impact

July 25, 1953: Walter Payton's Birth

On July 25, 1953, Walter Jerry Payton was born. He later became a professional football running back known as "Sweetness".

1953: Walter Payton's Year of Birth

Walter Payton was born in Columbia, Mississippi in 1953, though some sources later stated his birth year as 1954.

July 25, 1954: Claimed Date of Birth

Throughout his life, Walter Payton claimed his date of birth to be July 25, 1954. This date was used in many of his early biographies. However, his actual date of birth was July 25, 1953.

1954: Disputed Year of Birth

Throughout Walter Payton's life, many sources cited his birth year as 1954, though his actual birth year was 1953.

September 23, 1972: Record-Setting Performance Against Lane College

On September 23, 1972, Walter Payton set a then-best SWAC single-game scoring record by rushing for seven touchdowns and two 2-point conversions for 46 points against Lane College. He also set a school record with 279 rushing yards in the game.

1972: Retirement of Gale Sayers

In 1972, the iconic Gale Sayers retired, after which The Bears endured several losing seasons until Payton joined the team.

1973: School Record 24 Rushing Touchdowns and Black College Player of the Year

In 1973, Walter Payton had a school record of 24 rushing touchdowns, and was named Black College Player of the Year.

1974: All-American Team Selection

In 1974, Walter Payton was selected for the All-American Team and also won the Black College Player of the Year award for the second time.

1975: Started Professional Career with Chicago Bears

In 1975, Walter Payton began his professional career with the Chicago Bears after being selected as the fourth overall pick in the NFL draft.

1975: Graduation from Jackson State

In 1975, Walter Payton graduated from Jackson State with a bachelor's degree in communications.

1975: Drafted by Chicago Bears and First Season in the NFL

In 1975, Walter Payton was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the first round of the NFL draft and began his first season in the NFL. He finished the season with 679 yards and seven touchdowns and led the league in yards per kickoff return.

1976: Breakthrough Season and Pro Bowl Selection

In 1976, Walter Payton had a breakthrough season, rushing for 1,390 yards and scoring 13 touchdowns. After the season, he was selected to play in the 1977 Pro Bowl.

1976: Marriage to Connie Norwood

In 1976, Walter Payton married Connie Norwood. During his rookie year, he resided in a home on the north side of Arlington Heights, Illinois.

1976: Top-Ten Player for Rushing Attempts

Walter Payton was among the top-ten players for rushing attempts during the 1976 NFL season.

1977: League's Leading Non-Kicker and MVP Awards

In 1977, Walter Payton rushed for 1,852 yards and scored 16 touchdowns, becoming the league's leading non-kicker for the season. He earned numerous awards that season, including the Associated Press and Pro Football Writers of America's Most Valuable Player awards.

1977: AP NFL Most Valuable Player Award

In 1977, Walter Payton won the AP NFL Most Valuable Player Award, marking a significant achievement in his career.

1977: Led League in Rushing Yards and Touchdowns

Walter Payton led the league in rushing yards and touchdowns in the 1977 NFL season.

1978: Death of Walter Payton's Father

In 1978, Walter Payton's father died in jail shortly after being wrongfully accused of driving under the influence. He had experienced a stroke.

1978: Top-Ten Player for Rushing Attempts

Walter Payton was among the top-ten players for rushing attempts during the 1978 NFL season.

1979: Led in Rushing Attempts

Walter Payton led the league in rushing attempts in 1979.

1980: Birth of Son Jarrett Payton

In 1980, Walter and Connie Payton had their son, Jarrett Payton.

1982: Mike Ditka Hired as Head Coach

In 1982, Mike Ditka was hired to replace Neill Armstrong as the head coach of the Chicago Bears. The Bears finished the strike-shortened season with a 3–6 record.

1983: Arthroscopic Surgery on Both Knees

In 1983, Walter Payton underwent arthroscopic surgery on both knees, which he humorously referred to as an 11,000-yard checkup.

1983: Bears Finish Season with 8-8 Record

In 1983, under coach Mike Ditka, the Chicago Bears finished the season with an 8-8 record. Walter Payton continued his success by rushing for more than 1,400 yards.

September 19, 1984: Payton Becomes Active Leader in Career Rushing Yards

On September 19, 1984, Walter Payton passed Franco Harris as the active leader in career rushing yards, marking a significant achievement in his career.

October 7, 1984: Payton Breaks Jim Brown's Career Rushing Record

On October 7, 1984, against the New Orleans Saints, Walter Payton broke Jim Brown's career rushing record of 12,312 yards, establishing a new milestone in NFL history.

1984: Payton Passes Franco Harris and Breaks Jim Brown's Rushing Record

In 1984, Walter Payton achieved two significant milestones: on September 19, 1984, he passed Franco Harris as the active leader in career rushing yards, and on October 7, 1984, he broke Jim Brown's career rushing record of 12,312 yards.

1985: Super Bowl Shuffle and Super Bowl XX Victory

In 1985, Walter Payton performed in the music video "The Super Bowl Shuffle". The Bears achieved a 15-1 record, culminating in a 46-10 victory over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XX.

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1985: Payton Rushes for Over 1,500 Yards

In 1985, Walter Payton rushed for more than 1,500 yards, contributing to the Bears establishing the league's second-best offense.

1985: Super Bowl XX Win

In 1985, Walter Payton won Super Bowl XX with the Chicago Bears, a major triumph in his NFL career.

1985: Birth of Daughter Brittney Payton

In 1985, Walter and Connie Payton had their daughter, Brittney Payton.

1986: Final Seasons and Retirement Announcement

In 1986, Walter Payton amassed 1,333 yards. At the end of the 1986 season, he announced his retirement from professional football after completing the 1987 season.

1987: Retirement from Football

At the end of the 1987 season, Walter Payton retired from professional football after 13 seasons in the NFL.

1987: Last Season with the Bears

During his last season in 1987 with the Bears, Walter Payton split carries with Neal Anderson and rushed for a career-low 533 yards along with four touchdowns.

1987: Accidental Shooting at Nightclub

In 1987, Walter Payton accidentally shot a manager at a nightclub he owned in Schaumburg, Illinois. The 9 mm French-made Manurhin Pistolet, which Payton had recently acquired, discharged while being handed to him, injuring Elmer Ray Hutson Jr.

1987: Appearance on Saturday Night Live and Charity Television Special

In 1987, Walter Payton appeared on an episode of "Saturday Night Live" and participated in Prince Edward of the United Kingdom's charity television special, "The Grand Knockout Tournament".

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1987: Induction into The Lincoln Academy of Illinois

In 1987, Walter Payton was inducted as a laureate of The Lincoln Academy of Illinois and awarded the Order of Lincoln by the governor of Illinois.

January 10, 1988: End of Career with Loss to Redskins

On January 10, 1988, Walter Payton's career ended with a loss to the Washington Redskins in the divisional round of the playoffs. The score was 21-17.

1988: Receives Golden Plate Award

In 1988, Walter Payton received the Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement.

1990: NFL Expansion Team Effort in St. Louis

In 1990, Walter Payton sought to bring an NFL expansion team to St. Louis, Missouri, with the goal of becoming the first minority owner in NFL history. However, due to internal dissension among the investment group, the NFL awarded franchises to Jacksonville and Charlotte instead.

1993: Co-founded Walter Payton Power Equipment

In 1993, Walter Payton co-founded Walter Payton Power Equipment, a midwest crane and heavy equipment distributor, along with Mike Lanigan of Mi-Jack Products.

1993: Trans-Am Series Accident

In 1993, Walter Payton participated in a Trans-Am Series race at Road America. His car overturned and caught fire, resulting in burns but no serious injury.

1993: Elected to Pro Football Hall of Fame and Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame

In 1993, Walter Payton was elected to both the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame, solidifying his legacy in football.

1993: Induction into Pro Football Hall of Fame

In 1993, Walter Payton was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, recognizing his accomplishments and contributions to the sport.

1994: Appearance at WWF SummerSlam

In 1994, Walter Payton made an appearance at the World Wrestling Federation's SummerSlam event in the corner of Razor Ramon.

1994: Named to the NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team

In 1994, Walter Payton was named to the NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team, honoring him as one of the greatest players in NFL history.

1995: Purchase of Roundhouse in Aurora, Illinois

In 1995, Walter Payton and several partners purchased a roundhouse in Aurora, Illinois, formerly owned by the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad. The property was transformed into "Walter Payton's Roundhouse."

1995: Los Angeles Rams Move to St. Louis

In 1995, the Los Angeles Rams relocated to St. Louis, eventually bringing an NFL team to the city after Walter Payton's prior effort to establish an expansion team.

1996: Rushing Touchdown Record Broken

During the 1996 NFL season, Marcus Allen broke Walter Payton's rushing touchdown record.

1996: Elected to College Football Hall of Fame

In 1996, Walter Payton was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame, recognizing his achievements in college football.

1996: Induction into the College Football Hall of Fame

In 1996, Walter Payton was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame, recognizing his college football career.

1996: Asteroid Discovered and Named in Payton's Memory

The asteroid 85386 Payton was discovered by the Air Force Maui Optical and Supercomputing observatory in 1996 and later named in Walter Payton's memory.

February 1999: Diagnosis of Rare Liver Disease

In February 1999, Walter Payton announced that he had a rare liver disease known as primary sclerosing cholangitis.

April 1999: Final Public Appearance at Cubs Game

In April 1999, Walter Payton made his final public appearance at a Chicago Cubs game with Mike Ditka and threw the ceremonial first pitch.

November 1, 1999: Walter Payton's Death

On November 1, 1999, Walter Jerry Payton, an American professional football running back, passed away. He played in the NFL for 13 seasons with the Chicago Bears and was nicknamed "Sweetness".

1999: Award from National Trust for Historic Preservation

In 1999, "Walter Payton's Roundhouse" received an award from the National Trust for Historic Preservation, recognizing its historical significance.

1999: City Sticker Created in Payton's Honor

In 1999, the city of Chicago created a special city sticker that featured Walter Payton. Proceeds supported organ-donor programs.

August 2000: Organ Donation Requests Added to City Vehicle Registration

In response to Payton's appeals, the City of Chicago in August 2000 inserted organ donation requests into city-vehicle-registration mailings; by August 2000, 13,000 people had signed on to the program.

October 22, 2000: Corey Dillon Breaks Payton's Rushing Record

On October 22, 2000, Corey Dillon of the Cincinnati Bengals broke Walter Payton's single-game rushing record with 278 yards.

2000: Single Game Rushing Record Broken

During the 2000 NFL season, Corey Dillon broke Walter Payton's single game rushing record.

2002: Walter Payton Cancer Fund Established

In 2002, the Payton family established the Walter Payton Cancer Fund.

2002: Rushing Yards Record Broken

Prior to the 2002 NFL season, Emmitt Smith broke Walter Payton's record as the NFL's all-time leader in rushing yards and all-purpose yards.

2006: LaDainian Tomlinson names Payton as a mentor

During the 2006 NFL season, LaDainian Tomlinson, named Payton as one of his foremost mentors and inspirations.

September 2007: Walter Payton Liver Center Opened

In September 2007, the University of Illinois at Chicago Medical Center opened the Walter Payton Liver Center.

2007: Adrian Peterson Sets New Rushing Record

In 2007, Adrian Peterson of the Minnesota Vikings set the current NFL record for rushing yards in a single game with 296 yards.

May 20, 2008: Official Naming Citation Published for Asteroid Payton

On May 20, 2008, the official naming citation for the asteroid 85386 Payton was published by the Minor Planet Center.

November 1, 2009: Special Tribute Video Aired

On November 1, 2009, the Chicago Bears honored Walter Payton's career and life by airing a special tribute video during halftime, featuring highlight clips and interviews.

2009: Jarrett Payton's Wedding Date

In 2009, Walter Payton's son, Jarrett Payton, married on March 4 (3/4), which was intentionally set to coincide with Walter Payton's jersey number.

2010: Named Greatest Player in NFL History

In 2010, Pro Football Focus founder Neil Hornsby named Walter Payton as the greatest player in NFL history.

2010: Posthumous Induction into Black College Football Hall of Fame

In 2010, Walter Payton was posthumously inducted into the inaugural class of the Black College Football Hall of Fame, honoring his contributions.

2011: Sale of Walter Payton's Roundhouse

In 2011, Walter Payton's Roundhouse was sold to Two Brothers Brewing.

September 2019: Named Greatest Bears Player of All Time

In September 2019, the Chicago Tribune named Walter Payton the greatest Bears player of all time.

2019: Named to the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team

In 2019, Walter Payton was named to the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team, further cementing his legacy as an all-time great.

2019: Statue Dedicated at Soldier Field

In 2019, a statue of Walter Payton accompanied by a plaque was dedicated in front of the south entrance to Soldier Field.

2022: NFL's Second All-Time Leading Rusher

As of 2022, Walter Payton is the NFL's second all-time leading rusher.

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