I was at the gym today sitting in the sauna after a hard bike ride. I was flipping through my iPod at some of the videos that I have stored there. I came across one of my favorites that I forgot was there. The NFL Films of Walter Payton. I miss him, he was such an awesome competitor. He’d rather run you over than go out of bounds. He hurt his tacklers as much as they tried to hurt him.
He was a successful business man, restaurant owner and race car driver after he left football. He was a huge kidder he loved to mess around and play practical jokes. I knew several people that met Walter and none of them had a bad thing to say. I just wish more pro athletes were like Walter. He gave back to many of the communities that made him great and he did not have that “entitled attitude” that so many athletes have today.
It was nine years ago that he died. I must admit that I cried that day. I am and will always be a Bears fan, as much for Walter Payton than anything else. My only regret is that he never scored in the Super Bowl, but he was such a team player. I am sure it bothered him, but I am sure that it would have bothered him more if they would have lost.
I had Kangaroos tennis shoes because that was what Walter wore. We wore head bands cause he did. It was a great day when he broke the rushing record and even a sad day when his record was broke. I stand firm that if Walter would have had a line like some of he guys that come close to his record he would have 20,000 yards or more.
His running style was more he was going to hit you first rather than let you hit him or avoid you. He only missed one game his entire NFL playing career, and he contended that he was more forced to sit out than him sitting out. Have you ever seen his workout? He would run up a steep hill near his home 10 to 20 times a day.
His legacy is for organ donors. Make sure you fill out the back of your drivers license that you are an organ donor. I believe that if we had more we would still have Walter Payton, here as great example of what a pro athlete should be!
Dave Woodson