Walter Payton was one of the most iconic running backs in NFL history. “Sweetness” may be gone, but it will still be a long time before he’s forgotten. However, despite the fact that Payton spent a considerable amount of time in the spotlight and under the scrutiny of the public eye, there are still some things that many people don’t know. With that in mind, here we present our list of 15 things you probably didn’t know about Walter Payton. Check out part one below, and stay tuned for part two, coming soon!
Number Fifteen: He Played Drums. You might know Payton as a famous football player, but did you know he played drums in his marching band as well? Payton played drums for his marching band at Jefferson High School.
Number Fourteen: He Avoided Football for Awhile. In high school, Payton’s brother named Eddie was on the football team. In an effort to avoid competing with him, Payton avoided football. However, once Eddie graduated, Payton was coaxed into trying out for the team.
Number Thirteen: He Was Not Very Big. In fact, Payton was only 5’10”. However, his exceptional speed and strength for his size made him one of the most formidable opponents on the field.
Number Twelve: He Was Never Recruited by the University of Kansas. Despite the fact that Payton claimed he was recruited by the University of Kansas in his autobiography, then-coach Don Fambrough confirmed that he was not recruited by the university. Payton ended up committing to Jackson State University in Mississippi.
Number Eleven: He Got a Degree in Communications. Payton graduated from Jackson State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in communications in 1975.
Number Ten: He is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Payton was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1993. Fellow Hall of Fame NFL player Mike Ditka described Payton as the best football player he’s ever seen, and an even better human.
Number Nine: He Only Missed One Game in 13 Seasons. It’s true! Throughout his career in the NFL, he missed only one game in his 13 seasons with the Chicago Bears.