Reflections: Walter Payton

Had it not been for an article on the Chicago Bears website, I would have never realized that 25 years ago this week, the great Chicago Bears running back Walter Payton broke the NFL rushing record.  It’s hard to believe that it’s been that long though.  I was 11 years old when Payton broke the rushing record against the New Orleans Saints.  It was 1984 and the Bears were winning games but it ended up that it wasn’t going to be their year. 

Payton was a huge part of each win that the Bears had during his career with the team.  He could do things that no other running back, or football player for that matter, could do and he was the best at that time and perhaps of all time.  Payton epitomized what an athlete should be as he was able to break tackles with ease, jump over piles of players and turn the corner like no other.  He was fearless as well.  Payton wasn’t afraid to take on blockers or go through tacklers in order to get that extra yard.  And you never saw any giving up or quitting him.

I believe that Payton was the most impressive player in NFL history.  His play on the field spoke volumes for a man who didn’t “talk” as much as players these days do.  He let his legs, hands and head do the talking and that was something that you don’t see too much in the NFL these days.  I think that if more players let their play do the talking we would have a lot less problems in the league.

Unfortunately, there are some younger players out there who haven’t heard much about Payton beyond his name and the team that he played for.  Taking a look at Payton’s career and how he played would be a good lesson for some of today’s players.  He wasn’t selfish.  He wasn’t holding out for a bigger paycheck.  He didn’t bat down passes in practice.  He was a true team player and a great man.

So, as we take a look back at Payton’s career, we will remember that not only was he a great football player but also a great man and someone that we should look up to.  We should remember him as the great football player that he was and keep his memory alive for many years to come.  Please don’t ever forget Walter Payton.