Walter Payon Biography Essay

Walter Jerry Payton was born July 25, 1954, to Peter and Alyne Payton in Columbia, Mississippi. Growing up, Walter did not play football. “Payton took an interest in music and learned to play the drums. He joined the school band in high school, and he sang and played with various rhythm and blues groups in his spare time. During his freshman year of high school he participated in only one sport, track and field.” (Life of Walter Payton) Walter first started football his junior year of high school and attended and played at an all-African American college after graduating. “Payton first began to attract national attention as a halfback at Jackson State University, making the starting lineup in 1971 — his freshman year. He was selected for the …show more content…
“The great running back held a slew of NFL records upon his retirement in 1987, including the career rushing record of 16,726 yards. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1993, and the College Football Hall of Fame in 1996.” (Walter Payton Biography) After retiring, Payton decided to give back to the community by starting the Walter Payton Foundation. In 1999, Walter found out that he had a life-threatening disease. “Payton revealed he had primary sclerosing cholangitis, a condition in which the bile ducts are blocked.” (Walter Payton Biography) He raised money for his rare disease. Unfortunately, Walter Payton died on November 1, 1999, of cholangiocarcinoma. Payton’s wife Connie and two children, Jarrett and Brittney, carried on Walter’s legacy. “His charitable organization became the Walter and Connie Payton Foundation, with his wife taking over the foundation's mission of helping children.” (Walter Payton Biography) In 1999, the NFL renamed the Man of the Year Award to the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award. The award goes to the player who displays excellence on and off the