Payton, Walter (1954-1999), a running back for the Chicago Bears, was one of the leading rushers in National Football League (NFL) history. In 1984, Payton broke Jim Brown’s 12,312-yard career rushing record. He retired after the 1987 season with a career rushing total of 16,726 yards. Emmitt Smith broke Payton’s record in 2002 and is the current recordholder with 18,355 yards. In 1977, Payton rushed for 275 yards against the Minnesota Vikings, an NFL single-game record until Corey Dillon broke it in 2000. The current recordholder is Adrian Peterson, who rushed for 296 yards in 2007. Payton stood 5 feet 10 inches (1.8 meters) tall and had a playing weight of about 200 pounds (90 kilograms). He was a strong, durable, versatile runner and pass receiver. He was voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1993 (see Pro Football Hall of Fame ). 
Walter Jerry Payton was born in Columbia, Mississippi, on July 25, 1954. He was a star running back at Jackson State University. Payton was selected by Chicago in the first round of the 1975 college player draft and spent his entire NFL career with Chicago. Payton died on Nov. 1, 1999, at the age of 45 of cancer complicated by a rare disease of the liver’s bile ducts known as primary sclerosing cholangitis.
See also Chicago Bears .
