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Walter Payton was born on July 25,1954 in Columbia, Mississippi, and he dies on November 1,1999. November 1 was a sad day for the NFl, and it was a sad day for everyone who looked up to Walter Payton. Walter was a great player and a fantastic person to a lot of people. He was an inspiration to all and everyone looked up to him as a player and as a great person.

  In Columbia (Mississippi) high school, Walter Payton was a great impact in the school. Even though he did not play organized football until he was a junior in high school. On the first play of playing organized football and and scored a 65 yard touchdown, later that game he ran a 75 yard run in the same game. He was recruited by seven major colleges and he only took Jackson State was his choice. At Jackson State, Walter rushed for 3,563 yards in four seasons and scored 464 points. At Jackson State is where he earned the name "Sweetness", because of his smooth running. The 464 college points included 66 touchdowns, another NCAA record, and one that remains unbroken. Walter also kicked 53 extra points and five field goals in college. And he also performed a pre game dance routine.

                    
                                                   
For 13 seasons with the Bears, Payton mesmerized people with his excellent play. He had speed to run out side plus power to drive up the middle. He missed only one game in his rookie seasons and then played 186 consecutive games. His excellent play helped him establish NFL records for carries (3,838), yards gained (16,726) and rushed touchdowns (110). He was also a great blocker and caught 492 passes for 4,538 yards and 15 touchdowns. His best single game performed on November 20. 1977, when he rushed for 215 yards against the Minnesota Vikings. That same season, he ran for a career high best 1,852 yards.
                                                   
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