Chicago Bears draft: Top picks in franchise history
Walter Payton, RB, 1975 1st Round (#4 overall)
Sweetness is all I could write and not need to write anything else as most people would understand automatically.
I will explain further, however.
When the Baltimore Colts drafted guard Ken Huff with the third pick, there was probably a bigger roar from the Chicago Bears draft room than in the Colts’ draft room. The Bears staff wanted Payton, and then-coach Jack Pardee said if the Bears had the first pick they would choose him.
Thirteen seasons after that draft, Payton owned 16 NFL records and 27 Chicago Bears records. He finished his career at the top of the rushing list with 16,726 yards and 110 touchdowns.
It was his durability that was mind-boggling. Even though he was not as big as most running backs, he ran hard and dished out as many hits as he received. He also had a devastating stiff arm that knocked defenders down.
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It is incredible when you see his running style and find out that he missed just ONE game in his thirteen seasons. That one game was in his rookie season. He went on to start 186 consecutive games.
In Payton’s Hall of Fame biography, there was a quote that explained his love of the game. “It’s not about money. It’s not about statistics. It’s about the romance kindled by playing the game the way it was supposed to be played.”
Payton played on some bad Bears teams during his career. It was gratifying that in 1985 he finally got a chance to play on one of the greatest teams in history, but he was used as a decoy in the Super Bowl and had no touchdowns. He would never list the Super Bowl as one of his personal career highlights.
It broke all Chicago Bears fans when he announced that he had cancer. He died in November of 1999.
Next: Chicago Bears Mock Draft 3.0: Added Versatility
Just like legends who died too soon, we all remember Sweetness during his playing days. He is the most beloved Chicago Bears player and considered the greatest Bear of all time.