Never seen any better! Guts, determination, versatility, and talent. What more can you ask for?
Oh ya.....and a GREAT PERSON!!!!

How can you argue with Sweetness? A great running back who mainly played on poor teams until the end of his career. Payton truly loved the game.

I always liked the fact that he would rather run one more defender over than go out of bounds.

UPDATE: For all the arguing, Sweetness was better than both Emmitt and Barry. Now knock it off...

The absolute best there was ~ and ever will be!! Nuff said!!

He was all heart! He played every down like it was 0-0 and the game was on the line. Not scoring in the Super Bowl and coming up one yard short in his final game vs Washington were some heartbreaking moments that showed how much class and heart this guy had. Sitting on the bench crying at the end of his career in his final game still brings me to tears! The guy just loved to play football. I'd give him the nod over Barry because Sweetness was one of the best overall players ever in the NFL. Barry was cut from the same mold though...very humble, private, lead by example types of guys, and both played on bad teams for the majority of their careers. Payton #1 Sanders #2

Ain't no backs can come close to Sweetness past or present the closest behind him would be Barry Sanders. Emmitt Smith is a Joke, the one that is left standing without a chair when the music STOPS.

He could ram through a line and get 5 or 6 yards. This at a respectable 5'10.

He could do it all. One of the best.

In a class by himself. Wonderful person. Terrific attitude. Hard worker. Best back of all time.

solid performer and never complained

I don't think that I've ever heard anyone utter a single negative comment about this guy. He was as tough as nails and he gave 100% of his effort at all times. A total class act and one of the finest people ever to play professional sports. Take note Terell Owens; This is how a real man carries himself. I wish that we had more like Walter Payton. Oh yeah, and he was a pretty fair runner/passer/receiver/blocker too.

Thank you Walter for showing how hard work can pay off.

Class act. Dearly missed. Watching him juke people outta their shoes was an awesome sight to behold. If anyone remembers the first Tecmo football game he was able to score a tochdown everytime he got the ball ;)

He was a pretty good player but i would say Emmit Smith and Barry Sanders are better 2 more years pro and he might of had the rushing yards in a career record

I met Payton (VERY briefly) in a mall just outside the Louisiana Superdome in December of '89. He was on his way to do some analysis for an NFL game that was about to be played. What struck me about the encounter was that Walter Payton A) had been retired for two or three years, and B) had a reputation of being a bit small for an NFL running back. But when I shook the guy's hand he had the the strongest grip I have ever felt (and he wasn't hurting me or squeezing hard). He was just a thoroughly ripped powerful, powerful guy. He oozed of physical strength ... and he was so thick and solidly built ... After that meeting I could understand how he got all those yards. Quite frankly, I simply find it difficult to imagine anyone having been able to knock the guy down.

Walter Payton, Sweetness, had all the intagibles to be a good back. He wasn't good though, he was great. I think it's unfair for people to say Emmitt Smith or some of the other more recent backs were better. Let's remember early in his career, Walter played on some garbage teams in Chicago. It wasn't until Ditka got there when he really became more well known, but he had already been putting up Hall of Fame numbers despite the lack of his team. He's probably the most complete back ever. He was a hellacious blocker, a great reciever for key situations, and he could throw a pretty spiral. Although he wasn't the athlete, Jim Brown was, he made up for with heart and determination. I was deeply saddened when he died at such a young age. A void that may never be feeled, in the NFL. A great man, and the way he went out, with the heart of a champion. Damn shame, he didn't get a TD in the Super Bowl. Best running back, ever.

A fine back, who combined strength and agility in a way few others have. Incredibly durable, given his running style and size, he was unafraid to punish a defender.

A great running back who could run over,around or through you.Very durable and his longevity was one of his best traits.His character on and off the field was to be commended.I put him at number 2 all time just behind Barry Sanders and closely followed by Jimmy Brown.

i was shocked that he died so young

Was a pioneer, for the NFL such a talent every time I see old clips and pics of him in action it makes me wish I would have played football all my life.

The best runner of all-time. Those who compare emmitt to this magnificent talent are just plain naive. The overall skills of walter payton can be schooled to emmitt. sanders a close contender, but that whole quitting issue has gave him the underdog label. it pains me that this man is even compared to other backs.

One of the best. Very smooth and aggressive in the way he played.

Greatest ever.

Hands down the best complete back in NFL history. He was extremely tough for a fairly small guy. He wasn't the fastest, not the quickest, but he was a combination of every thing. I think Barry Sanders was a better runner, but Walter was the best all-around player. He was a tremendous blocker and a great reciever. Heck, he could even throw a nice ball and kick well too. He had the biggest heart of all time. Ner Die Easy! Whenever I see Emmit's name above his is breaks my heart. You gotta remember that early in his career his line and his whole team was bad, unlike Emitt's all-star line. He was my hero, and always will be. To think such a great, couragous man is dead, breaks my heart.

He was the strongest runner I have ever seen play the game.

Great person bad kidneys.

One of the greatest to watch (Barry Sanders obviously being the greatest). Sweetness was literally unstoppable, although sucks that he did not score in their superbowl blowout.

He was awsome

They should name the MVP trophy after sweetness.

Next to Emmit Smith, Walter will go down in history as the second best running back of all time. The numbers don't lie. However, Walter will always be known for the class act he was on and off the field. The toughest running back? yes! The best, no. Barry Sanders would have eclipsed his record if he would have stayed in the league. The hapless Lions management caused that. Sweetness should have been given an opportunity to score at least 1 T.D. in 1985 when the Bears won it all. A travesty that he wasn't...He deserved it...

You can't describe it much better than Sweetness. Just the epitome of class and athleticism. Greatness incarnate. The critisicm of him not being the fastest or quickest or strongest, etc, etc, etc, makes him all the more impressive. He was without question the toughest yet smoothest, hardest working yet most playful player in the history of the NFL. And Payton is probably one of the greatest role models for kids in history. He will always be my biggest inspiration.

HE IS TRUELY SWEETNESS

one can only think how much more he could of dazzel us

Great person as well. Hope to play with you someday, Walter.

Sweetness was a class act. He ran hard and ran tough and was very durable during his football career. He never ran out of bounds like some of today's runners.

A good runningback runs. A great runningback also blocks and catches. Walter Payton did all three of those things a well as a runningback ever could, and through in alot more. He could pass (look up his touchdown passes)! He played with heart that has never been matched by anyone else at the position, even Emmitt Smith. He was a leader. Ditka once said he wanted to see an interception just so he could watch Payton block. And don't forget his class, his enthusiasm and his kindness. Just an incredible player and human being. Never quit!

The BEST running back and all around football player! No attitude, no glitz--just pure football. What an exciting player to watch every weekend! I hated playing the Bears (I'm a Packer fan) because I still secretly loved Sweetness and his play!

Never saw the guy play but from what most say, he along with Jim Brown are the two greatest ever. That is the consensus. The thing that i hear about him all the time was that he was a relentless runner, never running out of bounds despite his small stature. And i think he was very durable, i think he missed just a couple games his whole career but could be wrong.

I never had the honor of actually watching him play in a game, but I have seen countless highlight films and came away more then impressed, speechless at times. I love how he punished people who had the intent of doing the same to him. Of all the videos of all the "old timers" I've seen, he gets my vote for the greatest running back of his era. Long live Sweetness. R.I.P.

With higher caliber teammates.....?

The greatest athlete of all time. God I miss my childhood hero.

The single greatest running back of all time nuff said

The worlds greatest back Ever. He was before my time but i have seen many tapes. I listen To the story's my dad told about Sweetness and i realize how great he was. The footage we have of him is incredible. and it was a terrible lose when he died.

The best football player ever.

Anyone who's seen Walter run behind crappy o-lines on crappy Bears teams knows who's the greatest back of all time. Emmitt Smith please. That guy wouldn't have half the yards Payton had if they switch teams.

He was the greatest running back of all time not because he had the most yards.....but because everything a running back has to do...he did it great. He was a great blocker, and he is the Bears all-time leading reciever, to go along with the 16,726 yards.

Wally Payton ... # 34 Chicago Bears ... I loved to be alive to watch him. Give Payton the ball, and he was gone. The reason Soldier Field was replaced is because # 34 tore it into pieces with his play. He was a real ambassador to the NFL game. There were no drugs, just grit and determination, mingled with hard work ! Walter; NFL fans miss you !!!

He is THE classic running back. He could do it all without you even knowing it. No stupid dancing, hands signs, etc. Straight up football. He one ever better. And I'm a Packer fan - that says it all.

Walter played his prime years on terrible teams.The opponents knew he was getting the ball, as he was the sole offense, and still couldn,t stop him! Emmit played on a team with numerous offensive weapons and a great offensive line! If he had played on the early Bear teams Walter played on, he would have been an average player at best!

I never met the man, but I know people who have. They all say that he was actually a better human being than he was a football player. He was simply the best back I ever saw. Did you ever see a classier player? I can't believe he's dead. . .terrible loss. I feel bad for his family and all fans everywhere.

Never that good. Maybe he just sucks.

walter payton is my hero

all i have to say is sweetnesssss

Walter is greatness. He never ran out of bounds, and played on all downs. He played hurt and never complained. He played on horrible teams and still led the league, and he played with more heart than anyone. He always gave his all, and nobody did it better. Without a doubt #34 PAYTON is the best football player ever.

walter is the best all around ffotball player ever to wear a jersey those who think emmitt and jim brown where better need to go back in time to when they played and stop looking at what the media says and for the guy who said he's no emmitt thank god he wasnt emmitt couldnt wear walters jock

Walter Payton was truly the best all around football player. He defined "CLASS"; Jim Brown has the last three letters downpat.

A complete running back who could get the short yardage, bust out a long run, block, and catch out of the backfield. I will never really respect Ditka for not getting Payton a TD in daaaa Bears Superbowl rout of the Pats.

Walter is the best no question about it. Emmitt had to play three more games to beat walters record. And i bet Emmitt cant throw, block or catch half as good as Walter.

Best all around running back, and football player in history.

good but no EMMITT SMITH!!!!!

Gotta love sweetness, but he wasn't Jim Brown.

Walter Payton, was the greatest all-around football player to date. Run, catch, throw, block, never missed a game. A class act on and off the field. Old school player.

A great player, but over-rated by most people because of the sadness of his passing.

Walter Payton my pick for the Greatest Athlete of All Time. Nobody did it better. Screw Jim Brown. Walter ran behind inferior O-lines. Some of his best runs were called back because of stupid Noah Jackson's penalties. The ONLY REASON Brown did well at all was because of his CHAMPIONSHIP OFFENSIVE LINE. Not because he had any talent. But this is about Walter and this site says it all.

the best all around running back of all time.His magnificent ability to run the ball is what stands out in most peoples memories of Walter.The man was also an excellent blocker,receiver and was even the third string quarterback.There has never been and will never be more of a class act in sports.

Giving Walter Payton less than five stars is almost as bad as giving Mozart less than five stars.