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November 2, 2009

George Bremer: Walter Payton's legacy lives on

Sunday marked the 10th anniversary of Payton's death from bile duct cancer

Walter Payton was the first professional athlete I ever received an autograph from. At least, I’m fairly certain it came from him.

In elementary school, we were given an assignment to write a letter to a celebrity and share any response with the class.

I don’t recall everything I wrote in that letter, but much of it was outlandish. I do remember asking for season tickets (on the 50-yard line, I believe) and I know I gave some unsolicited advice on the backup quarterback situation.

I have no way of knowing whether Payton ever saw the letter, although I’m sure it gave him a good laugh if he did.

What I do know is a few weeks after I sent the missive, an envelope addressed from Lake Forest, Ill., arrived at my family’s house. My heart skipped a couple of beats as I opened it.

Inside was an 8-by-10 photo of Payton making an overhead catch. It was signed near the bottom in blue ink.

It’s a story I couldn’t help thinking about this week.

Sunday was the 10th anniversary of Payton’s death from bile duct cancer. The Bears honored Payton’s memory with a special halftime ceremony that included his wife, Connie, and children, Jarrett and Brittany.

Closer to home, Mike Singletary — another of my childhood heroes — brought his San Francisco 49ers into Lucas Oil Stadium to challenge the Colts.

Singletary, now the Niners head coach, was Payton’s teammate in Chicago from 1981 through the legendary running back’s retirement in 1987. Both men were part of the Bears’ famed Super Bowl XX championship team.

Following the Colts’ 18-14 victory, I asked Singletary for his thoughts on the anniversary.

Always thoughtful and measured in his response, the Hall of Fame linebacker briefly bowed his head and collected himself.

“First of all, it’s unbelievable it’s been so long,” Singletary said. “Ten years. That’s mind-boggling. It seems like it was just yesterday.”

Payton retired as the NFL’s all-time leading rusher with 16,726 yards, a record that stood for 15 years before former Dallas Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith surpassed it.

But the man known as “Sweetness” was remembered even more for his character off the field.

“Just a real quality individual,” Singletary said. “Being in this part of the country (Midwest) certainly makes you think about him.”

Shortly after Payton’s death, Illinois saw a 25 percent increase in organ donation registrations. It’s a cause Payton felt strongly about, and it’s still the best way to honor his memory.

“I think the respect and love that people had for him allows my family and me to continue to do our charitable work,” Connie Payton told chicagobears.com. “We get a lot of support because people loved him and believe in what he did, and now they stand behind us. I think his legacy is still strong.”

Contact George Bremer: 640-4831, george.bremer@heraldbulletin.com

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