Walter J. Payton

Walter Payton at Jackson State (http://www.walterpayton.info/pictures/)

Some people refer to Walter Payton as the best football player – ever. There are arguments to support the claim that Walter Payton is a hero and an inspiration. Walter Payton was a hardworking individual ever since his childhood. He was devoted to exceeding his expectations in all ways possible. Walter Payton started out as nothing and worked his way up to the top. He had never played on a football team until high school, which is when it all began. Walter Payton was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame for all of his accomplishments in football, which also brought him money and fame. However, once he was diagnosed with cancer, the money and fame were not as important. He fought as long as he could, and did everything to in his power to give back to his fans before his final days. He is a true hero because he made many football records while also giving back to the community.

Walter Payton in his Bear's Helmet (http://www.gunningsports.com)

Walter Payton lived an amazing life, filled with accomplishments that will never be forgotten. He was born in Columbia, Mississippi on July 25, 1954. Ever since he was a child he was dubbed the nickname “Sweetness” because he was a friendly and cheerful person. Walter was the youngest child in his family, which encouraged him to keep up with his brother when they played sports together. Throughout Walter Payton’s childhood his parents instilled values of working hard and devoting all of his energy into the task that he was completing. In high school he started off in the marching band and did not play football until the middle of his high school career. After high school, Walter went on to attend college at Jackson State University, where his older brother was attending school at the time. Walter Payton graduated college with a bachelor’s degree. He had also had scored 66 touchdowns and rushed for 3,563 yards while playing for the Jackson State football team. He was the fourth pick in the first round of the NFL draft. The Chicago Bears chose him as a player to represent their team. Payton played with the Chicago Bears from 1975 until 1988. During this time he set many records for the entire NFL and won two NFL most-valuable-player awards. He also married his high school girlfriend, Connie Norwood. Walter Payton had an amazing life even though it was short lived; he made his life worthwhile in and out of his football gear.

Walter Payton is a hero because he did not play football on a team until the middle of his high school career and, after high school, he was able to play college football, participate in the NFL, and earn many football achievements. In Walter Payton’s high school years playing football, “He scored in every single football game and made the all-state [football] team” (“Payton”, Newsmakers). This quote is a significant way of showing Walter Payton’s heroism because it shows how Walter Payton’s drive to succeed began at the very beginning of his football career and was demonstrated throughout his entire life. This was just the beginning of Walter Payton’s many achievements as a football player, both on and off the field. During Walter Payton’s career with the Chicago Bears, “He [held] the record for the most rushing yards in a single game (275) and the most rushing touchdowns (110)” (“Payton”, Discovery). This quote displays Walter Payton’s heroism because it shows how he would use his speed and endurance to push his way through the mobs of players scattered amongst the field. Although this record has now been surpassed, everyone still looks to Walter Payton with the same respect. When rushing to gain distance in any sport, the only goal is to move forward and not to run side-to-side. Walter Payton is a very good example of this because he would refuse to lose any yards, and if somehow he did, he was known for standing up and making a useful and worthy play that made up for it. Overall, throughout Walter Payton’s entire life, he was continuously achieving numerous awards, which made him an idol for people to look toward as a role model.

Touchdown Time! (http://blackathlete.net)

Walter Payton is a hero because he treated everyone with respect and was loyal to his fans, and for that reason he was given the nickname, “Sweetness”. If people involved in Walter Payton’s life were asked to use one word that described him, almost everyone would say, “ Walter Payton nicknamed “Sweetness” in college for his sweet and graceful moves on the football field, never lost that sweetness, even after he left the game”(Singletary). This quote shows that almost everyone called him “Sweetness,” revealing how he was respected as a player, father, and role model by everybody. On and off the football field Walter Payton was discriminated against, but he put that away from him, and focused completely on the game and only the game when the time came. It did not matter if Walter Payton was in the Bears’ Stadium or in his hometown; Columbia, Mississippi. He was always a man of respect and dignity, which is an explanation for why, “Payton’s intensity and ferocity on the football field were balanced by a generosity of spirit and magnanimity off the field that were no less than impressive” (Singletary). Payton did not like to be treated like a celebrity, he wanted to be treated normally even though he was a superstar. Walter would be greeted by fans when he was out in public and he would treat them like friends who he had known his entire life. He would not blow them off like some professional athletes do. Overall, the nickname, “Sweetness,” showed that he was an individual who stood out from the average NFL player who only worried about his paycheck, not his fans.

Flying Over Everyone (http://allamerican4np.files.wordpress.com)

Walter Payton is an inspiration because everyone looked up to him and he continued to fight and show love until his last days. Payton became more of an inspiration in the last segment of his life: “Never were Payton’s qualities of grace and dignity more evident than in his final days, as he struggled unsuccessfully against a rare liver disease that progressed to the cancer of the bile duct than eventually took his life.”(Singletary). This quote displays exactly what the fans felt about Walter Payton and about the respect that was exemplified from his family, fellow teammates, and numerous fans. After Walter Payton’s tragic death from sclerosis cholangitis, the NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue said, “Walter exemplified class, and all of us in sports should honor him by striving to perpetuate his standard of excellence. Walter was an inspiration in everything he did. The tremendous grace and dignity he displayed in his final months reminds us again why “Sweetness” was the perfect nickname for Walter Payton. (Singletary). This quote is significant because it shows how one of the highest people in the NFL is remembered as an inspiration more than a person that relied on material objects to make him happy. Walter Payton is an inspiration without a doubt. He is a hero for many people and an inspiration for many football players who are just like him. Walter Payton’s accomplishments in football were the same as his teammates, but when it came to giving back to his fans or respecting everyone he met the same way as his family, he was the champion. Walter Payton’s heroic actions were still shining bright, even more once he was diagnosed with cancer. Walter fought his hardest all the way until his final breath. He is a defiantly a hero because of the way he treated others with all the respect and kindness possible.