LAKE FOREST, Ill. – The Bears honored legendary running back Walter Payton on the 10th anniversary of his death Sunday during an emotional halftime ceremony at Soldier Field.

Payton’s wife, Connie, and their children, Jarrett and Brittany, watched an inspiring video tribute that highlighted Walter’s remarkable life and pro football career. View tribute video

Brittney, Connie and Jarrett Payton watch a video tribute to Walter Payton at halftime Sunday.

The 6-minute 42-second video featured interviews with former Bears coach Mike Ditka; ex-Payton teammates Richard Dent, Otis Wilson, Tom Thayer and Jay Hilgenberg; and Bears owner Virginia McCaskey.

It showed Payton bouncing off tacklers, fighting for extra yards, punishing defenders and leaping into the end zone. It also featured Sweetness breaking Jim Brown’s NFL rushing record in 1984.

“Not many guys had the full package,” Dent said. “The full package means that he could shake you, he could run over you, he could run by you and he could run through you.”

When the video ended, Connie Payton took the microphone and said, “Wasn’t that awesome? Thank you for a special day. We love you. And one more thing: Go Bears!”

Payton played 13 illustrious seasons with the Bears from 1975-87, retiring as the NFL’s all-time leading rusher with 16,726 yards. The record stood until 2002 when it was eclipsed by Emmitt Smith.

One of the most durable players in NFL history, Payton died of bile duct cancer on Nov. 1, 1999 at the age of 45.

“I try to model myself after him every single day,” Jarrett said following Sunday's halftime ceremony. “I was lucky enough to have the greatest football player ever and the greatest man on the face of the Earth for a dad. My dad was a true renaissance man. He was everything.”

The first 40,000 fans to arrive at Sunday’s game were given Payton calendars, and there were footballs with the number 34 painted at the 34-yard lines.

Watching the video tribute at halftime, tears streamed down the face of Brittney Payton, who is too young to remember watching her father play for the Bears.

“Looking at the Jumbotron, I truly realize what his legend meant,” she said. “It’s a sad day, but an awesome day because I see everyone loved him.”