Walter Payton
College: Jackson State
Teams: Chicago Bears (1975-1987)
Super Bowl Wins: 1986
Accolades: Five-Time First Team All-Pro, Nine-Time Pro Bowl, NFL MVP (1977), Offensive Player of the Year (1977), Hall of Fame Inductee (Class of 1993)
Summary: The man nicknamed “Sweetness” didn’t take long to become a superstar in Chicago. Payton made his first All-Pro team in his second season and was named league MVP in year three. Payton carried the Bears offense for more than a decade—rushing for more than 1,200 yards in 10 out of 11 seasons between 1976 and 1986. When Payton retired, he was the NFL’s all-time leading rusher with 16,726 yards. His record would stand for 18 years until Emmitt Smith surpassed him in 2002.
But Payton’s greatness exceeded just his ability as a rusher. The Bears relied on Payton as a pass catcher and blocker. He even proved to be an effective passer—throwing eight touchdowns in his career.
Payton’s legacy as a player is equaled by his charitable work off the field. After he died of a rare liver disease in 1999, the league named its Man of the Year trophy after Payton.
