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.

a chump

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.

HE'S TIGHT

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.

The greatest back of all time. Had the hardest work ethic of any other player with the exception of Jerry Rice. He died and I was sad 'cause that disease could have got out of him if he could have had his kidney transplant.

The best running back of all time. He was so dominant when he played for the Bears. Many kids wished they had the running ability that he had.

A standard of class, grace, strength and determination. He and Jim Brown stand as the greatest running backs to play. Payton played hard and worked hard, and mixed those with his skills.

Walter Payton was the best running back in the NFL. With his outstanding cutback he ran like Barry Sanders. When he died the world was shocked. A great man; we will always remember Walter Payton.

He is the best running back of all time. Nobody could stop him when he ran. He has the most yards in the NFL. He died of cancer last year and that was tragic for everyone.

He is one of the top 3 running backs of all times. He was such a great running back he held the record for most yards in a game for 23 years, until Corey Dillion broke it recently. Walter was so strong and quick and he was almost uncatchable.

Never missed games, totally fit. I used to love watching linebackers blitz and see Walter knock them down. Pretty runner speed, power, and great eyes.

can watch his old game clips for hours.

You have to rate sweetness in the all-time category..Even though I hated him when he kept beating my Packers..

I remember vividly the first time I saw Payton in person (opening day v. Detroit 1977, on his way to nearly 1900 yards that year). He personified class throughout his career. His best play ever was a block he threw against a blitzing linebacker that gave McMahon time to hit Gault for a bomb which triggered a comeback vs the Vikes to keep the Bears undefeated in the '85-86 season. So versatile, so powerful, such a team player. He'll be very missed.

He is the best - period.

"Sweetness" always seemed like such a classy guy, and an unbelievably powerful runner. You just have to think that some of these premature deaths of former pro football players are due to the pounding their bodies take. Pay these men more.

Walter Payton was one of the toughest runners I ever saw. He didn't just run around people, he ran through them. Always gave a shot for a shot. Surprising for his size.

His death was such a tragedy. One of the greatest running backs ever, he was the symbol of grace on and off the field. I'm still pissed that Ditka gave the ball to the Fridge as opposed to Sweetness on the goal-line in the Super Bowl.