[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 153 (Wednesday, November 3, 1999)]
[House]
[Pages H11446-H11448]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO WALTER PAYTON

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Blagojevich) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. BLAGOJEVICH. Mr. Speaker, as a native Chicagoan and a pro 
football fan and a devoted and lifelong Chicago Bears fan, I rise today 
to pay tribute to Walter Payton, who died Monday at the age of 45.
  Different sports heroes define different generations. For my 
generation, Walter Payton was the Chicago Bears.
  Walter Payton will long be remembered, Mr. Speaker, as a player who 
rewrote football's record books. He is the National Football League's 
all-time leading rusher. He ran the ball more times than anybody else 
in history. On a day in November, in 1977, against the Minnesota 
Vikings, he set the record for the most yards in a single game, rushing 
for an amazing 275 yards.
  But though these records of achievement on the football field endure, 
the history of Walter Payton that will be written in books will never 
compete with the history written deep in the hearts of his fans, for 
Walter Payton's records are merely the product of his remarkable 
character and drive.
  Walter Payton made football history because of his will and his 
legendary determination. During his 13 seasons for the Chicago Bears, 
he missed only one football game, in his rookie year, because of a 
twisted ankle. In that game, he said he could have played, but his 
coaches kept him on the sidelines. This is remarkable considering the 
position he played and the punishment running backs in the NFL must 
withstand.
  Mike Ditka, his former coach with the Chicago Bears, was fond of 
talking about Payton's unique style of running. There were bigger, 
faster, and more elusive runners, but Payton was the best running back 
he ever saw. Payton attacked would-be tacklers, he never ran out of 
bounds, and was always reaching for the extra yard.
  This way of running the ball made him a natural for fans in a city 
like Chicago that prides itself on its work ethic. As Don Pierson wrote 
in yesterday's Chicago Tribune, ``He captured the soul of a city with 
work habits and results that made steelworkers and ditchdiggers 
proud.''
  But the special thing about Walter Payton was not the 16,726 rushing 
yards he accumulated in his career. It is the way he lived his life and 
the kind of person he was. Several of Walter's teammates have, since 
his passing, talked about Walter Payton's favorite saying, ``tomorrow 
is promised to no one''. He played football that way. The way he played 
was a metaphor for the way he lived, with energy and with enthusiasm. 
Payton's style of running was aggressive and punishing. He blended a 
no-holds-barred style with the agility of a ballet dancer.
  One Chicago sportswriter said his style was a ``combination soul 
train and freight train.'' But the name sweetness was not based solely 
on his style of play. It was based on his personality.
  He had an infectious smile and warmth that reached out through the 
television sets. As a fan, one just knew that here was a guy who was as 
likable a person as he was a player. That is why, I believe, the people 
of Chicago were so touched, first by his illness and then by his 
passing.
  When Walter announced his illness, when Chicago saw a man who was so

[[Page H11447]]

much a part of the life of the city confronting the reality of his 
condition, we all felt his sorrow. I, like I suspect most Bears' fans, 
never knew Walter Payton. But his passing has left us, his fans, with a 
profound sense of loss.
  For those of us who are Walter Payton fans, we have to remind 
ourselves that life is filled with the bitter and the sweet. For me, I 
find peace in the belief that good people go to heaven. It is nice 
knowing that today heaven is where sweetness is.
  Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Walter 
Payton, number 34 for the Chicago Bears. The tragic, and all too early, 
end to his life on Monday cannot obscure his greatness, not only as a 
football player, but as a person. He holds eight NFL records, from 
career rushing yards to number of 1,000 yard rushing seasons to yards 
gained in a game. He holds 28 Bears records. But the Bears often had 
great individuals. Walter Payton meant so much more to the team than 
just individual statistics.
  I had the privilege of going to the 1963 NFL Championship game in 
Chicago where the Bears beat the New York Giants 14-10. Unfortunately, 
that would be the last time any of us would see the Bears in the 
playoffs until Walter Payton arrived. And he carried the Bears with his 
work ethic, determination, and relentless pursuit of excellence. 
Sometimes it seemed that he was the only weapon the Bears had. But, 
finally, he led the Bears back to the top in Super Bowl XX. Over the 
time that Walter Payton played, Chicago saw a renaissance in its sports 
teams--the White Sox and the Cubs were in the playoffs and Michael 
Jordan was on his way to taking the Bulls to the top. But Walter Payton 
was the first and the brightest and the Bears owned Chicago because of 
him.
  More importantly, Walter Payton made his mark off the football field 
in a way that few athletes do. In truth, he gave back to Chicago more 
than Chicago could ever have given him. He coached high school 
basketball, read to children in a literacy program, and made 
significant charitable contributions during and after his NFL career, 
including through the Walter Payton Foundation, which funds educational 
programs and helps abused and neglected children. He was a successful 
businessman, always into new ventures, from his restaurants to an Indy 
car racing team.
  And clearly, he was a successful father and husband. When his 
daughter Brittney and wife Connie accepted the Life Award for him at 
the Arete Courage in Sports awards less than 2 weeks ago and when his 
son Jarrett addressed the media yesterday, you could see the same poise 
in them as we saw in Walter. I never had the opportunity to meet Walter 
Payton personally. But like most Chicagoans, I felt like I somehow knew 
him, that he was one of us. And we were all better off for that.
  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, although it saddens my 
heart to stand here before Congress today, it is an honor to pay 
tribute to one of the greatest football players in the history of the 
National Football League. Walter Payton, a giant of a man, died 
November 1, 1999 at the young age of 45. He is survived by his wife 
Connie, two children Jarrett and Brittney, his mother Alyne, brother 
Eddie, and a sister Pam.
  There is a saying that states, ``Big things come in small packages.'' 
This holds true for Walter. Hailing from Columbia, MS, Walter did not 
play organized football until the tenth grade. It was in Columbia, 
where he began to amaze everyone who saw him play. In 1970, Walter 
attended Jackson State University where he began his assault on NCAA 
history by becoming the all time leading scorer, a distinction which 
earned him a fourth place finish in the Heisman Trophy race in 1974. In 
1975, Payton was selected by the Chicago Bears as the fourth selection 
overall. From that point, Payton began a career that would include many 
awards, including his externalized place of honor at the Pro Football 
Hall of Fame in Canon, OH.
  The people who were fortunate enough to see him play were entertained 
at every level. Whether it was a run, block, kick, pass, or a 
reception, Walter gave the crowd everything at 100 percent. His running 
style earned him the nickname ``Sweetness.'' To see him punish would-be 
tacklers was definitely a delight. He was a total player, involving 
himself in every aspect of the game. He was unselfish in his play and 
always put the team first. It was this unselfish attitude that fueled 
the Chicago Bears to a Super Bowl Championship in 1985. A fitting award 
for a well deserving athlete. In 1987, Payton left the game to pursue 
other goals. He left the game, but not after setting many records 
including the all time leading rushing record of 16,276 yards. A record 
that still stands strong to this day.
  After football, Payton became as dedicated to being an effective 
businessman as he was to being an effective football player. He became 
heavily involved in auto racing, both as a driver and owner. This led 
him to many business interests and holdings including an attempt to 
become the first African-American owner of a NFL franchise. In a world 
where diversity is expanding and new arenas are being opened for people 
of color, it is refreshing to know that Walter attempted every day to 
venture into different markets that were not so accessible before. I 
had the pleasure of meeting Walter in my office here in Washington. 
Walter exemplified the same passion and fire for his business as he did 
for the game of football.
  After his final game, Payton was quoted as saying he played because 
it was fun and that he loved to play. Mr. Speaker, the next time we see 
a football game where a player dives over the heap for the extra yard 
or goal line or when a player breaks free from the pack and high steps 
into an end zone, let's take a moment and remember who introduced these 
moves to us, let's take a moment and remember Walter Payton.
  Mr. LARGENT. Mr. Speaker, Walter Payton was my hero and my friend. I 
never met a man with more heart for the game of football or for people. 
He wore a perpetual smile. That's what I'll never forget about Walter. 
He touched my life. I pointed to him when ascribing role models for my 
boys. And if my three sons have the same zest for life, love for 
people, and positive outlook on the future, I will be one proud father.
  I will greatly miss Walter but I will never forget him. He changed 
football; he changed the record books; he changed the Bears; he changed 
Chicago; he changed me. I'm a better man and the world is a better 
place because of him. I hope the same will be said of me.
  Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, above all else, the death of Walter Payton 
yesterday calls to mind a simple word: Courage.
  Nothing I can say could do justice to the man who brought so much joy 
and class to the City of Chicago for over a decade. On the field, 
though he often said he ``was not the fastest, not the strongest, not 
the biggest,'' Walter Payton was truly a giant. For 13 years he ran 
roughshod over the NFL, shattering records and defenses along the way. 
A quick perusal of his statistics reveal a career nothing short of 
legendary.
  For the first several years of his career, he was the lone high-point 
of many woeful seasons at Soldier Field. Week after week, he racked up 
the yards . . . while the Bears racked up the losses. That never seemed 
to effect him on the field. His hard running, his ferocious blocking, 
and his indomitable spirit never waned during the lean years of the 
Chicago Bears. Those years solidified his place in football history as 
the class act who left it all on the field, even in a hopeless game 
playing for a mediocre team during a disappointing season.
  But it was Walter Payton the man--more than the football player--who 
truly touched the lives of the American people, and especially those of 
us lucky enough to have lived in and around Chicago, IL, during his 
career. His old coach, Mike Ditka, said yesterday that ``Sweetness'' 
was not a nickname describing Payton's playing, but the way he treated 
other people. His commitment to his family and friends, to children in 
the Chicago area, and his deep faith were all evident in his day-to-day 
life.
  Earlier this year, Payton learned of the liver disease which would 
eventually take his life. Even as it became clear his health was 
slipping from him, Sweetness again rose to the occasion, never losing 
hope, and in fact, by all accounts, growing in his religious faith, 
displaying all the courage and class we had grown to expect from him. 
Just as he did during those losing seasons early in his career, his 
courage reaffirmed Lawrence of Arabia's great lesson, that ``There 
could be no honor in a sure success, but much might be wrested from a 
sure defeat.'' Facing the most tragic defeat of his life against the 
most daunting opponent, Walter Payton was the personification of 
courage, and that is why we honor him here.
  Payton once wrote, in a ``practice'' retirement speech to the City of 
Chicago and his fans, ``If I've done anything that has helped your 
lives, please use it.'' It is his courage--even in the face of sure 
defeat--that I hope will be Walter Payton's legacy to the world, and we 
certainly should use it.
  I recall that courage was defined by a World War II bomber-pilot as, 
``The guy who was afraid . . . but went in anyway.'' Whether a 
defensive lineman twice his size or the debilitating disease which 
finally tackled him the other afternoon, Walter Payton never failed to 
drop his head, lower his shoulder, and drive through for a few more 
yards. We will truly miss him.
  Mr. CRANE. Mr. Speaker, earlier this week, we lost one of football's 
all-time greatest players and a great American--Walter Payton, who 
lived in my district and touched the lives of so many on and off the 
field. After announcing earlier this year, he was battling a liver 
disease, which later turned into cancer, Walter fought the good fight 
and kept the faith until the end.
  Between 1975 and 1987 there were three givens in Chicago: The wind 
was blowing off

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the Lake, the Cubs were not in the World Series, and Walter Payton No. 
34, also known as ``Sweetness'' for his silky smooth moves, was in the 
backfield for the Bears.
  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1993, Walter Payton carried the 
ball more often (3,838 attempts), for more yards (16,726), than anyone 
who has ever played the game. There is no question, Walter Payton was 
the best at taking the ball and running with it. Against Minnesota in 
1977, he carried 40 times for 275 yards, a National Football League 
(NFL) single game record.
  It's not that Walter Payton is the all-time leading rusher and holds 
28 NFL and Bears records and could throw the most punishing block on 
the biggest defensive linebackers that made him a great person. Walter 
Payton was a great man because of his commitment to his family and 
faith. Being a family man and active in his community, he was regularly 
seen at St. Viator High School sporting events supporting his son. In 
addition, Payton volunteered to help coach the boys' basketball teams 
at Hoffman Estates High School in 1993-1994.
  Walter Payton's quiet attitude of giving earned him a spot in the 
Arlington Heights Hall of Fame in 1988 and 4 years earlier a one-block 
stretch of downtown Arlington Heights was named Payton Run. Walter 
Payton owned businesses in my district, two nightclubs in Schaumburg--
Studebaker's and Thirty Four's--ran Walter Payton Power Equipment in 
Streamwood and headquartered his corporate offices in Hoffman Estates. 
He was also active in several charities and helped whenever and 
wherever he could in the community. Even though he denied it, he was an 
all around role model to which every pro-athlete or average ``Joe'' 
should aspire.
  Quite simply, Walter Payton was a great citizen, on and off the 
field, who will be forever remembered as a champion. His former coach 
Mike Ditka once remarked to his players in training camp, ``If everyone 
came to camp in as good of shape as Walter we'd have a good team''. He 
had a superior training ritual. In his 13-year career, he played in 
pain and missed only one game. Ditka when he came to coach the Bears 
said ``Walter Payton is my idol.'' Have you ever heard a coach say that 
about a player? I think a quote that sums up Walter Payton's life was 
from Coach Ditka when he said, ``It's sad to me (Walter's death) 
because he had a lot greater impact on me than I had on him. He was the 
best player I've ever seen. And probably one of the best people I've 
ever met''.
  Having lost a daughter to cancer 2 years ago myself, I understand the 
pain the Payton family is feeling in their loss. I can only assure them 
that in time, the family will be reunited and what a joyous occasion it 
will be for the Payton family.
  Walter never gave up hope in his fight. It is for that spirit that 
people everywhere will remember him forever.

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