Human vs. Record

In 1996 when Dallas Cowboys opened the season on a Monday Night Football against the Bears, Emmitt Smith hurt his neck at the end of a game diving over people for a touchdown.  It was a serious injury and was on the field for a very long time, where he was then transported to a hospital, so severe that they didn’t want him to move so they cut off his jersey.  Walter Payton left the game to be with Smith in the ambulance and the hospital to be by his side.  Mind you Emmitt was one to come close to Walter’s career rushing record, and that didn’t stop Walter from caring he put Emmitt first as a person then as someone who might potentially break his record. This is what Ed Werder(one of the most memorable reporters of his time) remembers most about Walter Payton.

Emmitt and Walter

This is something we can all learn from Payton.  Sometimes we have to stop and think of others before ourselves, another great reason why Walter Payton was icon, hero, inspiration to everyone.  He wasn't only an AMAZING football player, he was also a man with a huge heart!

Payton and his Jackson days

Jackson State University is historically known as a black university founded in Jackson, Mississippi in 1877. So jsutigers.cstv.come states.  This was where Walter Payton was a two time first team all american in the years of 1973 and 1974 where he ran 3,563 yards and scored 66 touch downs, with that saying he set the NCAA scoring record with 464 points. "He set a Southwestern Athletic Conference record for most points in a game and led the nation in  scoring in 1973 with 160 points." hall of fame .
At Jackson state he was a four year starter where he set nine school records, and was getting votes for getting the heisman trophy.  Walter chose Jackson because he was following his older brother Eddie, and wanted to be close with family.  Also at Jackson State this is where he got his nickname that everyone and anyone knows him as "Sweetness" granted no one knew his nickname till he started to play for the Chicago Bears.  Walter Payton kept his number 34 from Jackson State, and now that jersey is retired at both Jackson State and for the Chicago Bears.

The Early Days!

Walter Payton was born July 25th 1954 in Columbia Mississippi born to Alyn and and Peter Payton along with one other brother and a sister. Growing up at first Walter wasn't the athlete he was kind of hiding in the shadow of his older brother Eddie, instead he joined the school band in high school playing the drums and he joined a jazz band. His freshman year he joined track and feild where he got noticed by the football coach to come play football. Later Walter played football for his first three years at an all black school Jefferson High. He still played with the school band and stuck with track where he hit a scool record for his long jump. Later on he went to a school his senior year to a school that begun integration, Columbia High.  There wasn't many schools for black athletes to goto back then, but Payton had options but wanted to stick close to home so he got chosen for Jackson State where he was in fourth place for heisman trophy.  Walter Payton wasn't just a stereotypical football player he had really good grades!  He is a good role model for kids, teens, and really anyone who wants to be inspired.  Stay tuned, this blog will be getting exciting, tearful, and inspirational!


Michael Jordan is loved, Walter Payton is reveared. - Don Yaeger
He really was a symbol of everything Chicago likes to think it stands for, hard work, struggle, seizing the moment. -Ron Rapoport

Heres something you have to look forward to in my next blog...

The video I want to use is from youtube, and has copyright protection so i'll post the link that I think everyone should check out.  Have a tissue.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAeo4ZqHC2c&feature=related

5'10 at 200 lbs sat Walter Payton. Payton played with pure heart and love for the game, he played each game as if it was his last, never gave up like some players these days do. Payton broke a lot of records, and set history. Many reasons why his stats are so amazing.
Walter Payton started his career at Jackston State where he rushed for 3,563 yards.  Then went to play for the Chicago Bears where he took over and dominated the rushing section in the NFL record book, during and after his career.
Walter Paytons recrods at the time of his retirement:
16,726 total yards rushing
275 yards alone just rushing in one game against Minnesota in 1977
4,368 combined net attempts
but held 21,803 combined net yards
Scored 750 points on 125 touchdowns
Payton won the NFC rushing title five straight years from 1976 to 1980
He also led the NFC with a championship in the kick off return
He was named ALL PRO, and  ALL NFC seven times and played in 9 pro bowl games
Payton was the guy you could always count on no matter what, he'd be playing in the game.  He missed one game in his rookie campaign, and then played in 186 consecutive games.

I got these records from NFL Hall of FAME