Payton, Walter Jerry

Payton, Walter Jerry
▪ 2000

      American football player (b. July 25, 1954, Columbia, Miss.—d. Nov. 1, 1999, South Barrington, Ill.), was a phenomenal running back who set the National Football League (NFL) record for most career yards rushing (16,726) and in 1985–86 led the Chicago Bears to their first Super Bowl victory. His prowess on the field and engaging personality off the gridiron earned him the nickname “Sweetness.” Payton played football at Jackson State University, Miss., where in 1973 he led the nation in scoring (160 points) as a junior en route to setting a college record of 464 career points. The Bears selected him fourth overall in the first round of the 1975 NFL draft. He rushed for 1,390 yd in his second season, 1976, to lead the National Football Conference for the first of five straight seasons. In 1977 he set the league's single-game rushing record with 275 yd in a game against the Minnesota Vikings. He rushed for a league-high 1,852 yd that season to win the Most Valuable Player award and led the Bears to their first postseason appearance since 1963. In October 1984 Payton eclipsed Jim Brown's league-record 12,312 yd rushing. He won another MVP award in 1985 as the Bears amassed a 15–1 record and won the Super Bowl. While Payton possessed neither the size nor the speed of other great running backs, his strength and durability were unparalleled: he missed only one game during his 13-year career and set the NFL record for most carries (3,838). He punished would-be tacklers by colliding with them, then he utilized his tremendous balance to scamper out of their grasp. Less celebrated was his versatility: Payton was a top-notch blocker, set a team record for pass receptions, and threw eight touchdown passes. He played in nine Pro Bowls and was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1993. At the time of his death, Payton held or shared eight NFL records.

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Universalium. 2010.

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  • Payton, Walter (Jerry) — born July 25, 1954, Columbia, Miss., U.S. died Nov. 1, 1999, Barrington, Ill. U.S. football player. He played football at Jackson State University and from 1975 to 1987 was a member of the NFL Chicago Bears. He retired as the all time leader for… …   Universalium

  • Payton, Walter (Jerry) — (25 jul. 1954, Columbia, Miss., EE.UU.–1 nov. 1999, Barrington, Ill.). Jugador estadounidense de fútbol americano. Jugó en la Jackson State University y, entre 1975 y 1987, en los Chicago Bears, de la NFL. Se retiró como líder de todos los… …   Enciclopedia Universal

  • Payton, Walter — ▪ American athlete in full  Walter Jerry Payton , byname  Sweetness  born July 25, 1954, Columbia, Mississippi, U.S. died November 1, 1999, Barrington, Illinois  American professional gridiron football player whose productivity and durability… …   Universalium

  • Walter — Walter, Bruno Walter, John * * * (as used in expressions) Adams, Walter S(ydney) Alvarez, Luis W(alter) Bagehot, Walter Walter Lanier Barber Beaton, Sir Cecil (Walter Hardy) Benjamin, Walter Brattain, Walter H(ouser) Richard Walter Jenkins, Jr.… …   Enciclopedia Universal

  • jerry — jerry1 /jer ee/, adj. Building Trades Slang. of inferior materials or workmanship. [1875 80; short for JERRY BUILT] jerry2 /jer ee/, n., pl. jerries. Chiefly Brit. Slang. a chamber pot. [1820 30; short for JEROBOAM] * * * (as used in expressions) …   Universalium

  • Jerry — /jer ee/, n., pl. Jerries. Chiefly Brit. Informal. 1. a German. 2. Germans collectively. [1910 15; GER(MAN) + Y1] /jer ee/, n. 1. a male given name, form of Gerald, Gerard, Jeremiah, and Jerome …   Universalium

  • Walter — /vahl teuhr/ for 1; /wawl teuhr/ for 2, 3, n. 1. Bruno /brooh noh/, (Bruno Schlesinger), 1876 1962, German opera and symphony conductor, in U.S. after 1939. 2. Thomas Ustick /yooh stik/, 1804 87, U.S. architect. 3. a male given name. * * * (as… …   Universalium

  • Jerry — (as used in expressions) Falwell, Jerry L. Herman, Jerry Leiber, Jerry Lewis, Jerry Lewis, Jerry Lee Payton, Walter (Jerry) Rawlings, Jerry J(ohn) Rice, Jerry (Lee) Seinfeld, Jerry West, Jerry …   Enciclopedia Universal

  • Walter Payton — Données générales Nom complet Walter Jerry Payton Nationalité  États Unis Date de naissance …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Walter Peyton — Walter Payton Walter Payton Nom complet Walter Jerry Payton Nationalité  États Unis Date de naissance …   Wikipédia en Français

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