“Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year”: Celebrating Football Players Who Make a Difference
The National Football League (NFL) annually recognizes a player who combines on-field excellence with off-field philanthropy through the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award.
The award is named after Walter Payton, a running back for the Chicago Bears who was known for his kindness and commitment to the community, and who won the award in 1977.
Recognizing the Best of the Best: The NFL Man of the Year Award The Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award is given to a player who not only stands out on the field, but also contributes significantly to the community.
The trophy was created in 1969 by artist Daniel Bennett Schwartz and depicts a plain-looking lineman standing alone on the sidelines, away from the game, to symbolize that the award is not just for star players, but for any player who makes a positive impact.
A panel of judges selects the winner from the 32 nominees submitted by each NFL team. The judges include the NFL Commissioner, the previous year’s winner, and several former NFL players.
The winner receives a $250,000 donation in their name to a charity of their choice, while the 31 finalists receive a $50,000 donation to their chosen charities.
The Kansas City Chiefs and the Chicago Bears have the most Man of the Year awards, with five each, while the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Los Angeles Chargers, and the Dallas Cowboys have won four times each.
Table of Contents
Walter Payton Obituary: Cause of Death
Walter Payton was an NFL superstar, known for his incredible talent on the football field and his larger-than-life personality off the field. Sadly, Payton passed away in November 1999 due to complications from a rare autoimmune liver disease. However, his legacy continues to live on through his charitable work and the impact he had on the NFL and its fans.
Diagnosis and Final Months
In February 1999, Payton went public with the news that he was suffering from a rare autoimmune liver disease called primary sclerosing cholangitis. This disease may have led to the development of cholangiocarcinoma, a type of bile duct cancer. Despite his own struggles, Payton spent his final months as an advocate for organ transplants, appearing in commercials to encourage others to donate their organs.
Payton’s Passing and Legacy
On November 1, 1999, Payton passed away due to complications from his illness. The NFL community and fans alike mourned the loss of this beloved football icon. Each NFL game that week held special ceremonies in his honor, and the Chicago Bears wore special patches bearing his number, 34.
Public Funeral and Tributes
Payton’s public funeral service was held at Soldier Field, with speeches from Jesse Jackson, then-NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue, Payton’s wife Connie, and former teammate Dan Hampton. In attendance were over 1,000 people, including Illinois Governor John Madden, Mayor of Chicago Richard M. Daley, and several former Bears teammates.
Walter Payton: Bio
Remembering Walter Payton Walter Payton, nicknamed “Sweetness,” was born on July 25, 1954, in Columbia, Mississippi, and passed away on November 1, 1999, in Barrington, Illinois.
He was a professional football player known for his speed and toughness, and retired as the NFL’s all-time leader in rushing yards. Payton played football in high school and at Jackson State University, where he was also a kicker.
He scored 464 points in college, setting a record for the National Collegiate Athletic Association.
The Chicago Bears selected Payton in the 1975 NFL draft with the fourth overall pick, and in his second season, he was named to the Pro Bowl.
He won the NFL’s Most Valuable Player award in 1977 after leading the league in rushing yards and touchdowns. Payton helped the Bears win their first Super Bowl in 1985 and retired after the 1987 season.
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Walter Payton: Biographical Details
| Birth Name | Walter Jerry Payton |
| Known As | Walter Payton |
| Nickname | Sweetness |
| Date of Birth | July 25, 1953 |
| Date of Death | November 1, 1999 |
| Birthplace | Colombia, Mississippi, United States |
| Place of Death | South Barrington, Illinois, United States |
| Religion | Catholic |
| Sexual Orientation | Straight |
| Father Name | Peter Payton |
| Mother Name | Alyne Payton |
| Gender | Male |
| Age When Died | 46 Years Old |
| Profession | Professional NFL Player |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | Colombia High School, Jackson State University |
| Height | 5Â ft. 10Â in/1.78Â m/178 cm |
| Weight | 200Â lb./91Â kg |
| Eye Color | Black |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Build | Medium |
| Marital Status | Married |
Walter Payton: Education
Walter Payton, also known as “Sweetness,” was an American football player known for his illustrious career with the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL).
Born on July 25, 1954, in Columbia, Mississippi, Payton was raised in a family of athletes, with his father playing baseball and his older brother playing football. Despite his own initial reluctance to play football, Payton eventually joined the Jackson State University football team, where he became one of the best running back prospects in Mississippi.
Payton was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the first round of the 1975 NFL Draft and went on to have a successful career in the NFL. He was named the league’s Most Valuable Player in 1977, after running for a then-record 275 yards in a game against the Minnesota Vikings. Throughout his career, Payton was known for his work ethic and dedication to the sport, earning him the nickname “Sweetness.”
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Walter Payton: Career
The Chicago Bears picked Walter Payton with the fourth pick in the first round of the 1975 NFL Draft. The team gave Payton number 21, but he switched to number 34 before the season began. After the great Gale Sayers left the team in 1972, the Bears had several losing seasons.
Payton’s first game did not go very well. On eight tries, he was only able to gain zero net rushing yards. In the last game of the season, against the New Orleans Saints, he ran for 134 yards on 20 carries, which was his best game of the year. Payton only had 679 yards and seven touchdowns at the end of the season. But Payton had the most yards per kickoff return in the league.
Payton was eager to get better at what he did. Payton ran for 1,390 yards and 13 touchdowns during the 1976 NFL season. After the season, he was chosen to play in the Pro Bowl in 1977, where he was named the game’s most valuable player.
The following season, he ran for 1,852 yards and scored 16 touchdowns, giving him the most points in the league.
He won a lot of awards that season, like the Most Valuable Player award from the Associated Press and the Pro Football Writers of America. On November 20, 1977, the game against the Minnesota Vikings was one of the most memorable games of the NFL season.
He ran for 275 yards, which was a record at the time. The previous record was 273 yards, which O.J. Simpson had set. In that game against the Vikings, which set a record, Payton had a fever of 101 degrees and a very bad flu.
Walter Payton: Family
Off the field, Payton was married to Connie Norwood from 1976 until his death in 1999. He had two children, Jarrett and Brittney. Despite his public image as a devoted husband and loving father, a biography written by Jeff Pearlman in 2011 shed light on Payton’s troubled personal life, including infidelity and drug use.
After retiring from football, Payton struggled to find purpose in his life, eventually succumbing to a rare autoimmune liver disease, primary sclerosing cholangitis, in 1999. Despite his personal challenges, Payton’s legacy lives on through the Walter and Connie Payton Foundation, a charity started by him and his wife to support various causes. The Walter Payton Award, given annually to the best player in college football’s Football Subdivision, continues to commemorate Payton’s outstanding career and impact on the sport.
Walter Payton: Personal Life
In addition to his charity work, Payton was also a successful businessman. He was the owner of several successful restaurants and other businesses, and he was a savvy investor who made wise financial decisions. Despite his success, however, he remained down-to-earth and always put the needs of others before his own.
Walter Payton will always be remembered as one of the greatest football players of all time. He was an incredible athlete who inspired countless people with his talent, work ethic, and character. His legacy continues to live on through the many people he touched during his life and through the foundation that bears his name. He will always be remembered as a true legend of the sport and as a true hero in the hearts of many.
Payton was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1993 and remains one of the greatest running backs in NFL history. He was also named to the NFL’s 75th Anniversary All-Time Team and the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team.
Throughout his career, Payton broke numerous records, including most career rushing yards, most career rushing touchdowns, most yards in a season, and most touchdowns in a season. He was also the first player in NFL history to surpass 20,000 career rushing yards.
Walter Payton: Awards
- Winner of the Super Bowl (XX)
- 9× Pro Bowl (1976–1980, 1983–1986)
- 7 All-Pro first team (1976–1980, 1984, 1985)
- All-Pro second team (1986)
- 2× NFL Most Valuable Player (1977, 1985)
- Bert Bell Award (1985)
- Player of the Year in the NFC (1985)
- NFL’s best offensive player (1977)
- Most yards run in the NFL (1977)
- NFL 1970s All-Decade Team
- All-Decade NFL Team for the 1980s
- All-Time NFL Team for the 75th Anniversary
- The Chicago Bears retired number 34.
Conclusion
Walter Payton’s impact on the NFL and its fans continues to be felt two decades after his passing. His charitable work and advocacy for organ donation remain a testament to the kind of person he was, and his legendary football career will never be forgotten. Payton will always be remembered as an NFL icon, and his life and legacy will continue to inspire future generations of football players and fans alike.
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