Remembering the life and legacy of Mississippi native and NFL legend Walter ‘Sweetness’ Payton

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) - As we continue our Black History Month series, we pause to honor a man whose impact transcended the football field entirely.

On this Super Bowl Sunday, we’re taking a step back to celebrate the incredible life of legendary running back Walter Payton.

He wasn’t just a running back - he was a force of nature, a beacon of excellence.

With deep roots in Mississippi, Payton rose from humble beginnings to become one of the most decorated athletes in NFL history and a Super Bowl champ.

Patrice Clark takes a closer look at his exceptional talent and remarkable legacy.

It didn’t start under the bright lights or with the big crowds. The story of legendary running back Walter Payton began in the small town of Columbia, Mississippi.

“We lived about half a mile from the slaughterhouse, which was half a mile from the lake, and when we weren’t working in the slaughterhouse, we were fishing,” said Eddie Payton.

Eddie Payton is Payton’s older brother and a former NFL player. He remembers that before his younger brother ever touched a football, he was reading about it - no highlights, no social media, just imagination and hunger.

“We didn’t have a television at 7, 8, 9, and 10, and what we learned is what we read,” Eddie Payton continued.

When Payton finally touched the field, the talent was undeniable.

“When he went out as a 10th grader, he did everything naturally,” said Eddie Payton.

By high school, he wasn’t just playing - he was leading, helping integrate Columbia High School during a time of deep racial division in the state and across the country.

“Integration in Columbia was during the 1970–71 school year, and the football team that Walter was a senior on in 1970 really helped to pave the way and helped our school through a difficult time of integration. They say that we didn’t have the problems that other places had because of the success of our football team,” said Columbia School District Chief Administrative Officer Jay Rayborn.

For college, Eddie Payton said his brother Walter chose Jackson State University at a time when historically Black colleges and universities were overlooked.

“During that time, HBCUs found the best athletes because they weren’t afraid to go to the schools at night and watch him play,” Eddie Payton explained. “Walter signed with Kansas and then went to Kansas to visit and came back and said, ‘Man, I don’t want to go to Kansas. It was too far away from home.’”

Walter Payton practiced like it was game day at JSU. Every day he could be seen running and training. You see, to Walter, football wasn’t just a sport - it was his life.

“We would go down to Channel 3 (WLBT) right across the sandbar, and we would run in the sand until we passed out,” said Eddie Payton.

“He knew he had to carry a heavy load,” said Rodney Phillips, Walter Payton’s former teammate and roommate.

Phillips said the talented running back brought a competitive fire to everything he did.

“He joined a dance contest and, man, that was 24 hours of practice. He used to just get on my nerves. He would be in the room turning flips,” Phillips said.

After dazzling fans on and off the field at Jackson State, it was time for Payton to tackle his next challenge: the NFL.

In 1975, the running back was drafted by the Chicago Bears.

“He set those records in college at Jackson State, and most of the time when you’re a Black kid playing at a Black school, they don’t take you seriously. They’re looking at someone who plays in the SEC or the ACC to take your place,” said Eddie Payton.

Over the years, Payton and the Bears transformed into a successful team, highlighted by a dominant Super Bowl victory in the mid-1980s. His amazing talent on the field earned him the memorable and unique nickname “Sweetness.”

“One day Mike Ditka was watching him run in the pre-season, and he said, ‘Man, he runs so good. He’s so sweet at running it. He’s going to give me cavities.’ And the nickname Sweetness came from that,” said Eddie Payton.

After 13 seasons with the Chicago Bears, Payton finally decided to take off his cleats in 1987, but not before breaking NFL records and receiving numerous honors and achievements, including nine Pro Bowls, multiple All-Pro selections, League MVP, a Pro Football Hall of Fame induction, and the all-time rushing leader title at retirement, just to name a few.

“He worked hard, but he had to be touched and blessed by the man upstairs, and he was,” said Eddie Payton.

At the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame & Museum, fans can relive the greatness of Payton, an African American icon.

“It is so unique to be able to tell that story and also to tell the story of his character and how important he was to his community,” said Andrea Patterson, Executive Director of the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame & Museum.

In 1999, the unthinkable happened.

“To the people that really care about me, continue to pray,” said the late Walter Payton during a 1999 press conference in Illinois.

Walter Payton’s life was cut short by illness at 46 years old.

“I think he was the greatest to ever carry the football,” said Eddie Payton.

Payton’s spirit continues to live on through the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, which honors players for their greatness on the field and in their communities.

His legacy also lives on through the charities and honors that carry his name - a symbol of Black excellence.

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