Walter Payton, the greatest player in Chicago Bears history, would’ve turned 70 today. Thinking about that really puts some things in perspective. The biggest is that we should show love for the ones we love while we still have them because you never know when someone will be gone too soon.
And, after that, my mind immediately goes to a place where I only want to share clips, highlights, and sizzle reels. Because legends can never die if we continue passing along their legacies.
We’ll start with highlights via his son Jarrett Payton:
For me, Payton’s greatness isn’t just about the dazzling runs, ankle-breaking jukes, or even the occasional touchdown pass. It is also about what he did against his stiffest competition. Beating the Green Bay Packers is on the wishlist of every Bears fan I know. And Payton did his best against Chicago’s arch nemesis from up north:
Walter Payton career vs. the Packers:
🐻⬇️ – 2,484 rushing yards 🐻⬇️ – 19 touchdowns 🐻⬇️ – 1 touchdown pass 🐻⬇️ – Countless memories for so many fans pic.twitter.com/2KqM9EQWXh
His running style was unique, skillset was unrivaled, and his drive was unmatched. Payton’s numbers (16,726 rushing yards, 21,264 scrimmage yards, 125 rushing + receiving touchdowns, and 8 passing touchdowns) speak for themselves. But it’s the highlights that will leave you breathless.
This is where I might say that they just don’t make ’em the way they used to in the olden days. But let’s face it, they never made ’em like Sweetness in the first place. That guy was 1 of 1. A true generational, once-in-a-lifetime talent.
Drafting Walter Payton changed the Chicago Bears franchise trajectory:
— Old Time Football 🏈 (@Ol_TimeFootball) May 25, 2023
This quote best describes how much of a game-changer Sweetness was upon arrival:
“The Chicago Bears were a team that played notably off-key for many seasons until the dazzle of Walter Payton almost single-handedly carried them to the playoffs.”
Fans of a certain age might remember Walter Payton as the author of the original “Flu Game” (sorry, MJ):
NFL history has been littered with great players. And there will be more awesome ones who are coming down the pipeline in years to come. But there will never, e-e-e-ever be someone like Walter Payton. The best there is, the best there was, and quite possibly the best there ever will be among those to suit up for the Chicago Bears.
Luis C. Medina, who you can find on Twitter at lcm1986, has been covering the Chicago Bears at Bleacher Nation since 2017. Since then, he has written about 3 head coaches, 5 play-callers, and 11 starting quarterbacks. Previously, Luis wrote about the Cubs and MLB at BN (2015-16) and worked in the Chicago Tribune sports department (2011-16). He also co-hosted a Cubs postgame show, Outside the Ivy, in 2019.
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