HBCU Legends

Walter Payton was an HBCU and NFL Legend

On Jan. 28, the Chicago Bears drafted one of the best football players in NFL history.

Kyle T. Mosley

On Jan. 28, the Chicago Bears drafted one of the best football players in NFL history. Jarrett Payton honored his father on social media, stating, "47 years ago today, the Bears made one of their best phone calls ever and selected Walter Payton with the 4th overall pick in the NFL Draft." The draft was in 1975.

About Walter Payton

Payton Answered the Call to Greatness

Walter Payton
Walter Payton; Credit: Jarrett Payton

The Jackson State legend carried his greatness to the Chicago Bears from 1975 to 1987. Payton earned his place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame with eight All-Pro honors, nine Pro Bowl selections, and winning the NFL MVP, Offensive Player of the Year, and NFL Man of the Year awards in 1977. 

Sweetness

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Walter Payton in Super Bowl XX.  The Bears defeated the Patriots 46-10; Credit:© Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports

The man known as "Sweetness" finally won his lone championship ring in Super Bowl XX. Walter Jerry Payton was the NFL's all-time leading rusher and held numerous records and accolades at his retirement in 1987.  

Over his NFL career, "Payton rushed for 16,726 yards, which broke the record for most rushing yards by any NFL player in history, and scored 110 touchdowns. He caught 492 passes for 4,538 yards and 15 touchdowns. Payton set several team records, including most career rushing yards, receptions, touchdowns, and touchdown passes by a running back."

Payton's Career Addresses HBCU Naysayers

Walter Payton
Nov 23, 1980; Atlanta, GA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Chicago Bears running back (34) Walter Payton on the sidelines against the Atlanta Falcons at Fulton County Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Manny Rubio-USA TODAY NETWORK

Not bad for a 5'10" and 200-pound running back from an HBCU school. Suppose student-athletes of yesterday and today decide to listen to the negative "naysayers" who tout Division 1 programs over HBCUs. In that case, we may never have witnessed the unadulterated greatness of one of the best football players ever to grace this planet. Walter Jerry Payton.

Payton's Enshrinements

Walter Payton at Hall of Fame Ceremony
Jul 31, 1993; Canton, OH, USA; FILE PHOTO; Chicago Bears former running back Walter Payton speaks to the fans at the 1993 Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony at Fawcett Stadium. Mandatory Credit: RVR Photos-USA TODAY Sports

Payton merited enshrinement into the Pro Football Hame of Fame (1993), Black College Football Hall of Fame (2010), College Football Hall of Fame (1996), Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame (1993), and Jackson State University Sports Hall of Fame.

Payton's Career Addresses HBCU Naysayers

Walter Payton
Nov 23, 1980; Atlanta, GA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Chicago Bears running back (34) Walter Payton on the sidelines against the Atlanta Falcons at Fulton County Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Manny Rubio-USA TODAY NETWORK

Not bad for a 5'10" and 200-pound running back from an HBCU school. Suppose student-athletes of yesterday and today decide to listen to the negative "naysayers" who tout Division 1 programs over HBCUs. In that case, we may never have witnessed the unadulterated greatness of one of the best football players ever to grace this planet. Walter Jerry Payton.

Chicago Bears former running back Walter Payton
Aug 10, 1991; St. Louis, MO, USA; FILE PHOTO; Chicago Bears former running back Walter Payton at Busch Stadium during a 1991 preseason game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the New York Jets. Mandatory Credit: Herb Weitman-USA TODAY NETWORK

Payton, 45, died on Nov. 1, 1999 from cholangiocarcinoma.

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Kyle T. Mosley
KYLE T. MOSLEY

I am Kyle T. Mosley, the Founder, Managing Editor, and Chief Reporter for the HBCU Legends, Saints News Network, and Pelicans Scoop on FanNation a Sports Illustrated team channel since October 2019.  Morehouse Alum, McDonogh #35 Roneagles (NOLA), Drum Major of the Tenacious Four.  My Father, Mother, Grandmother, Aunts and Uncles were HBCU graduates! Host of "Blow the Whistle" HBCU Legends, "The Quad" with Coach Steward, and "Bayou Blitz" Podcasts. Radio/Media Appearances:  WWL AM/FM Radio in New Orleans (Mike Detillier/Bobby Hebert),  KCOH AM 1230 in Houston (Ralph Cooper), WBOK AM in New Orleans (Reggie Flood/Ro Brown), and 103.7FM "The Game" (Jordy Hultberg/Clint Domingue), College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt), Jeff Lightsly Show, and Offscript TV on YouTube. Television Appearance: Fox26 in Houston on The Isiah Carey Factor, College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt). My Notable Interviews:  Byron Allen (Media Mogul), Deion Sanders (Jackson State University, Head Coach), Tomekia Reed (Jackson State Lady Tigers Basketball Coach), Taylor Rooks (NBA Reporter), Swin Cash (VP of Basketball - New Orlean Pelicans), Demario and Tamala Davis (NFL Player), Jerry Rice (Hall of Famer), Doug Williams (HBCU & NFL Legend), Emmitt Smith (Hall of Famer), James "Shack" Harris (HBCU & NFL Legend), Cris Carter (Hall of Famer), Solomon Wilcots (SiriusXM NFL Host), Steve Wyche (NFL Network), Jim Trotter (NFL Network), Travis Williams (Founder of HBCU All-Stars, LLC), Malcolm Jenkins (NFL Player), Cam Jordan (NFL), Demario Davis (NFL), Allan Houston (NBA All-Star), Drew Brees (Former NFL QB), Deuce McAllister (Former NFL RB), Willie Roaf (NFL Hall of Fame), Jim Everett (Former NFL Player), Quinn Early (Former NFL Player), Dr. Reef (NFL Players' Trainer Specialist), Nataria Holloway (VP of the NFL). I am building a new team of journalists, podcasters, videographers, and interns.  For media requests, interviews, or interest in joining HBCU Legends, please contact me at kmosley@hbcusi.com. Follow me:

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