At Jackson State University, Payton began attracting attention as a freshmen. Four years later, he left after scoring a then-Division II record 464 points and gained consideration for the Heisman Trophy. At Jackson State he also acquired the somewhat nickname "Sweetness," ironic for a running back who enjoyed the physical contact of ducking his head and plowing into a defender just to get that extra yard.

	"Sweetness" described Walter Payton on and off the field.

Drafted fourth overall in 1975 by the Chicago Bears, Payton played 13 seasons in the NFL. He passed Jim Brown's all-time rushing record of 12,312 yards and finished his career with 16,726. In 1986, he became the first player to gain 20,000 all-purpose yards.

In 13 years, he missed only one game. Before the 1983 season Payton had surgery on both knees yet still managed to play the entire season and rush for 1,421 yards.

In 1985, he added the one missing piece to his Hall of Fame career -- a Super Bowl ring. Payton led the Bears with 1,551 yards rushing and another 483 on 49 pass receptions as the Bears stormed to an 18-1 record, including a 46-10 rout of the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XX.

Payton retired two seasons later. His career totals include 125 touchdowns (110 rushing and 15 receiving), 21,803 all-purpose yards, 77 games with at least 100 yards on the ground, NFL records of 3,838 carries and 16,726 yards rushing. He was voted to the Pro Bowl nine times. He was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame with the class of 1993 and was named to the NFL's 75th Anniversary team in 1994. Payton was enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame in 1996.

After football, Payton pursued numerous business ventures, from race cars to restaurants. He also sat on the Bears' board of directors.

Payton passed away in the prime of his life. On Feb. 2, 1999, a frail and skinny Payton announced that he was suffering from primary sclerosing cholangitis, a rare disease in which the ducts that drain bile from the liver become inflamed and blocked. While undergoing treatment, it was discovered that he had bile duct cancer.

He died before the year was out, on Nov. 1, 1999. He was 45.