Why I Believe Walter Payton is the Best Running Back in Nfl History

This is one of those debates that could go on for all eternity, and I have seen very good arguments for other running backs. Our society is so fast paced, and we easily forget good movies, good food, good friends, and superior sports legends. Before I get into this, my opinion will not be based on sheer numbers, even though I could probably use that argument and still make my case. Numbers alone don’t tell the whole story, as I will try to demonstrate. When the Bears drafted Payton # 4 in the 1975 draft, they were a terrible, terrible football team. Their team had zero offensive weapons to speak of, and even the defense was considered mediocre. Bob Avellini was their QB. Who? My point exactly. Payton proceeded to rush for 0 yards on 8 carries in his first NFL game. He finished his rookie season with 679 yards, and the bears finished the season 4-10. the very next season, Payton exploded into stardom with 1390 yards, with 13 tds, and a 4.5 ypc. Even with those statistics, the bears still finished 7-7, netting them a 2nd place finish behind the 11-2-1 vikings. Keep in mind that defenses KNEW he was the Bears only offensive threat, and he still got those numbers. Their WR’s were below average, the o-line could not pass block, and they had no tight end to speak of. The whole offense was payton sweep left, payton sweep right, draw play payton, etc. the very next season was arguably Payton’s best, with 1852 yards, 5.5 ypc. This was in 14 games. This was the first year that I actually watched him play, and I saw every game, every carry of that season. The Bears squeaked their way into the playoffs with a 9-5 record, with primarily the same team as they had when Payton was drafted. Offensively it was still Payton, Payton, and more Payton, yet teams still couldn’t stop him. This season was even more amazing when it’s noted that the bears final game of this season was played against the NY giants, on basically a sheet of Ice. Frozen rain pretty much stopped any hopes of walter breaking the 2000 yard mark, though I’m not sure how many yards he gained that game. The Bears did win the game 12-9 in overtime, but lost to the eventually super bowl champion Dallas Cowboys in their wild card game. Payton was named NFL MVP that season, and he proceeded to rip off 4 more seasons of 1,000 yard or more, until the strike shortened 1982. 4 more consecutive seasons of 1,000 yards should be able to make my point, but that’s not the whole story.

Walter Payton was probably, pound for pound, the strongest football player of his time and some time after he retired. He could leg press over 450 pounds easily, and his NFL superstars competition performance in the standing overhead press of 300 lbs was amazing, besting the much bigger players Lyle Alzado and Dave Casper. In this same competition, he also won the 100 yard dash. It’s well known that he could walk on his hands for 50 yards, and leapfrog teammates who were standing upright. Physically, he was a freak of nature, thanks to his determination and training methods.

On top of his strength, Walter was extremely elusive. I know Barry Sanders could make defenders look pretty stupid, but walter was by no means a slouch in this area. Outside of sanders, I would have to make walter a close second when It comes to forcing missed tackles. Another attribute of his game was his acceleration, it only took him a few steps to be up to top speed, but he still had the ability to cut on a dime from top speed, due to the strength in his legs. Mike Ditka is quoted as stating that Walter Payton was the best football player he has ever seen, period.

Sadly, Walter Payton has passed away, from the strangest of circumstances, a rare liver disease took him from us at the age of 45. even though he was on the list of patients for liver transplants, and people were willing to move him up the list because of his celebrity status, he refused to allow that.…as great of a football player that he was, he was probably a better person.

The title of His autobiography, never say die, sums up his playing style. From blocking, to receiving, as well as running the football, he grades out well above average in every category, and considering the fact that he has NEVER played with a pro bowl QB, WR or TE, his accomplishments are even more amazing.

Sweetness never complained, never had contract squabbles, never backbit a teammate, never berated a coach. He was such a model citizen, the NFL created the Walter Payton man of the year award, renaming the NFL man of the year award to recognize on and off field accomplishments of NFL players. I had the pleasure of actually seeing walter as I drove down a highway in suburban Chicago, and as I pulled up to the right of his car (mercedes) I waved to him, and in his genuine, bright smile, waved back. He will be missed by NFL fans and the people who knew him outside of football for a long, long time. thank you Walter, for enriching our lives with your life and talent.