Walter Payton, nicknamed Sweetness, was one of the greatest football players ever, who played 13 seasons with the Chicago Bears.
He lost his life at 46 due to complications from a rare liver disease. His wife and children survive his legacy.
Walter Jerry Payton began playing football at John J. Jefferson High School and achieved instant success as a running back. He was named to the all-conference team two years in a row.
He initially committed to Kansas State University but pursued his collegiate career at Jackson State University (MS), a historically black school.
Moreover, Walter was named Black College Player of the Year in 1973 and 1974 and was selected for the All-American Team.
The Chicago Bears selected him as the fourth overall pick in the 1975 NFL draft. He finished the 1975 season with only 679 yards and seven touchdowns.
He was declared the Pro Bowl MVP in the 1977 Pro Bowl and earned numerous awards during the 1976 season, including the Most Valuable Player award.
Likewise, Walter rushed for 16,726 yards and scored 110 touchdowns over his entire career. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and the Bears retired his jersey number 34 in 1993.
Walter Payton’s Marriage To Connie Norwood Ended In 1994
Walter Payton married Connie Norwood in 1976, but their marriage ended abruptly after 18 years when he served her divorce papers for joint custody.
Although they lived apart for most of their lives, their divorce was never legally finalized.
The married couple had a profound and enduring relationship. Connie supported Walter throughout his remarkable football career, and mostly during his battle with liver cancer.
She played a crucial role in the athlete’s personal and professional life. They have two children, Jarrett Payton, born in 1980, and Brittney Payton, born in 1985.
While their daughter pursued a career as a news personality, their son followed in Walter’s footsteps and pursued a career in football. The Tennessee Titans signed him as an undrafted free agent.
Jarrett Walter Payton hosts his internet radio show, the Jarrett Payton Show, on ChicagolandSportsRadio.com.
After the football player’s tragic demise on November 1, 1999, she dedicated herself to preserving his legacy through a nonprofit organization, The Walter and Connie Payton Foundation.
Their foundation supports various charitable initiatives and promotes organ donation awareness. Walter spent his final months advocating for organ transplants.
Similarly, Connie continues to advocate for organ donation awareness, and her work has positively affected countless lives.
Connie Norwood Debunked False Rumors About Walter Payton
Walter Payton’s unauthorized tell-all biography, “Sweetness: The Enigmatic Life of Walter Payton,” was released in 2011 and shares some of his darkest secrets.
However, a week before the release, Connie Norwood exposes false information and rumors about him in the book.
Connie knew him the best and had to step up to discuss the book’s contents. The book included some shocking claims that were kept from the public, and infidelity was a central part.
The book reads that Connie and Walter’s mistress met at his Hall of Fame induction, where she looked the mistress in the eyes and said, “You can have him. He doesn’t want me or the children.”
Jeff Pearlman, the author of the book, had also mentioned that the player was hooked on pain medication, which Connie had denied.
Furthermore, Walter’s son partially accepts the nature of the book and assumes that the biography’s explosive nature was only a marketing strategy.
I don’t hold grudges against anybody, and I’m speaking from my heart… We all have to feed our families.
Jarrett Walter Payton
The autobiography’s negative feedback surrounded their family, and they had to watch the reputation of a player who was not there to defend himself.
On the other hand, Connie thanked her intuition for not giving any interviews, which helped keep her out of the book and prevented her words from being twisted.
She honored her late husband with the title Man of the Year in 2016. Nonetheless, she watches their old videos and remembers how good Waler Payton was.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Walter Payton, the son of Peter and Alyne Payton, was born on July 25, 1953, in Columbia, Mississippi.
- His father was wrongfully accused of driving under the influence due to a stroke that presented similar symptoms to alcohol intoxication, and he died in jail in 1978.
- He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in communications in 1975 and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1996.
