Walter Payton
Jackson State
1971-74
 Walter
Payton was a two-time first team All-American in 1973 and 1974 at
Jackson State University. He ran for 3,563 yards and scored 66
total touchdowns, setting the NCAA scoring record with 464
points. He set a Southwestern Athletic Conference record for most
points in a game and led the nation in scoring in 1973 with 160
points. He was a four year starter at Jackson State, setting nine
school records and receiving votes for the Heisman Trophy in 1974.
In 37 games he had 584 carries for 3,563 yards, averaging 6.1
yards per carry. He also had 474 yards passing for a total of
4,037 career yards. He added five field goals and 53
extra points for 464 total points. Payton was a first round
draft pick by the Chicago Bears in 1975. He played 13 seasons and
was named to the pro Bowl nine times.
By the end of his
professional career, Payton was the NFL’s all-time leading rusher with
16,726 yards. In 1987, the Most Valuable Player Trophy for
Division I-AA was named in his honor. In 1993, he was named to the
Black College All-Time team. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall
of Fame in 1993. Payton was also named to the NFL’s 75th Anniversary
All-Time team in 1994 and has been inducted into the JSU Sports Hall of
Fame and SWAC Hall of Fame. He was inducted into the College
Football Hall of Fame in 1996, and in 1997, Payton was named to the
Division II Football Team of the Quarter Century. He was also a member
of the Chicago Bears Board of Directors. He died on November
1, 1999.
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