LUT WILLIAMS
BCSP Editor
Another black college giant has fallen.
Less than three weeks after the death of legendary black college basketballcoach John McLendon, former Jackson State running back Walter Payton, whoset a standard of unmatched excellence both in college and in the NFL, diedMonday in Chicago from complications of a rare liver disease. He was 45.
Payton, who retired from the NFL in 1987 after a record-setting 13-yearcareer as the heart and soul of the Chicago Bears, began his ascent as arunning back at Jackson State. It was there that he began the high-stepping,hard-running style that would become his trademark. Before he was finishedwith his college career, the Columbia, Miss., native was a Heisman Trophyfinalist, the leading scorer in college football history and a first roundNFL draft pick. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in1996.
In the NFL, his legend grew as his flair, will and determination led him tobecome the league's all-time leading rusher with 16,726 yards. He surpassedthe 1,000 yard rushing mark a record ten seasons and holds seven other NFLrecords. He was inducted into the league's Hall of Fame in 1993.
"He was all class, on the field and off the field," said his former Bearscoach, Mike Ditka, now head coach of the New Orleans Saints. "And he hadsuch a respect for the game." NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue called Payton"one of the greatest players in the history of the sport. Walter was aninspiration in everything he did."
In an interview last year, Payton's brother Eddie, a former NFL player andcurrent head golf coach at Jackson State, talked about the running stylethat marked Walter's career and about the upbringing that framed his outlookon life.
"We were both under the same tutelage," Eddie Payton said. "They (coaches)taught us to attack, not receive, hits. You didn't go down easy, you wentdown hard. You delivered blows, you didn't accet them. That's the way wewere taught.
"We got the basic philisophy (of life) from our parents. What was instilledin us is that there is one rule in athletics and in life. If you start,there's no quit until it's over. We learned early in life that we owed it toourselves to try to be the best."
Both on and off the field, Walter Payton demonstrated that he took thoselessons to heart.
As a businessman, he attempted to become the first African-American owner ofan NFL franchise when he was part of a group trying to bring a team to St.Louis. He owned or was part owner of a power equipment company, arestaurant, an Indy Car racing team and a number of hotels. He made numerouscelebrity appearances before his illness limited his activities. HisPayton/Halas Foundation provides nearly 38,000 Chicago-area kids withChristmas presents each year through the organization's affiliation with the"Toys for Tots" program.
Payton is survived by his wife Connie, son Jarrett, who currently plays forthe University of Miami and a daughter, Brittney.
