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Top 10: Walter Payton moments
With the 20th anniversary of Walter Payton's passing on Friday, we asked Jarrett Payton to rank his father's 10 most memorable moments with the Bears.
(10) Rushing for 205 yards against the Packers
On Oct. 30, 1977, Walter Payton rushed for 205 yards and two touchdowns on 58 carries in a 26-0 win over the rival Packers in Green Bay.
(9) Throwing two TD passes versus the Saints
A man of many talents, Walter Payton threw touchdown passes of 56 and 21 yards to Willie Gault on Sept. 18, 1983 against the Saints in New Orleans.
(8) Throwing key block against Vikings
Walter Payton could do a lot more than run with the football, something he proved in a 1985 win over the Vikings when he threw a devastating block on a blitzing linebacker to allow Jim McMahon to throw a 70-yard touchdown pass to Willie Gault.
(7) Faking out linebacker Hugh Green
On Oct. 6, 1985 against the Buccaneers in Tampa, Walter Payton utilized a tantalizing stutter-step move to freeze linebacker Hugh Green on a 9-yard touchdown run.
(6) Hall of Fame induction
Walter Payton was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1993. Sweetness played his entire 13-year career with the Bears and retired as the NFL's leading rusher.
(5) Leading the Bears to a key win over the Packers
Walter Payton rushed for 192 yards and one TD on 28 carries to lead the Bears to a 16-10 win in Green Bay in 1985 in a bruising game that featured multiple cheap shots.
(4) Breaking numerous tackles against the Chiefs
On Nov. 13, 1977 against the Chiefs at Soldier Field, Walter Payton followed his "Never Die Easy" mantra in breaking half a dozen tackles on an iconic 18-yard run.
(3) Winning the NFL MVP award in 1977
Walter Payton was voted the league's Most Valuable Player after leading the NFL in rushing with a career-high 1,852 yards and 14 touchdowns.
(2) Setting NFL single-game rushing record
On Nov. 20, 1977 versus the Vikings at Soldier Field, Walter Payton fought off flu-like symptoms to set an NFL single-game rushing record of 275 yards in a 10-7 win.
(1) Breaking Jim Brown's NFL rushing record
On Oct. 7, 1984 against the Saints at Soldier Field, Walter Payton took a pitch to his left and gained six yards to eclipse Jim Brown as the NFL's all-time leading rusher.
