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Walter Payton is considered to be one of the best running backs to ever dawn an NFL uniform. His stats alone say just how good he was. He was a graceful make you miss back, that combined agility with after burner speed on the gridiron. He spent his whole NFL career with the Chicago Bears who drafted him in the first round out of Jackson State. He missed just one game his first season, then went on to play in 186 consecutive games. Imagine someone at that position taking a pounding in practice and every Sunday, yet never missing  but one day!

Payton was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame in 1993 and was considered the best at his position during his time. His career stats are unimaginable. 16,726 rushing yards, 110 career touchdowns, 492 career catches, for over 4,500 yards, 77 games of over 100 yards rushing, played in 9 Pro-Bowls, and was a 7-time All-Pro. Defenders knew when he was coming to either get out of the way, or wind up on a highlight reel for NFL films. It was a great thrill for me to see him play on television growing up, even though I was not a Bears fan. He is one of those guys that is so good that you pull for because of his greatness.

Though he tragically passed away in November of 1999 at 45, he will be remembered for his "sweetness" on the football field and his great devotion off the field to his friends, family, and his die-hard NFL fans.