Read the opposing arguments from Loyal Homer and Bleacher Fan.
Before “Peyton” was a recognizable first name in the NFL, “Payton” was the most recognizable last name.
Many great running backs graced the formation space behind the quarterback throughout the long history of the NFL. No running back was greater than Payton at making toughness routine, displaying versatility, and exuding a quiet tenacity that few players in the history of the game possessed.
Walter Payton was only five feet ten inches tall. By today’s standard running back, that means he should be around 230 pounds so he is stocky and compact enough to bruise opposing defenses. But, Payton’s playing weight hovered around 200. And, despite his smallish stature, he never ran out of bounds to avoid hits. He routinely took on defenders of all sizes because of an abject refusal to give up and run out of bounds. If any extra yard was there for the taking, Payton was going to take it (more on that in a moment). His running style was so physical that he predicted he would only last five seasons in the NFL. Walter Payton has fight down to his bones. Here is a favorite quote:
“If I’m going to get hit,” Payton said, “why let the guy who’s going to hit me get the easiest and best shot? I explode into the guy who’s trying to tackle me.
Besides tough, Payton was also versatile in a rare way. He was a great runner, of course, but he was also an outstanding pass catcher. My colleagues are championing two other great, but less versatile players. Jim Brown had just under 15,000 yards from scrimmage for his career. Emmitt Smith did have a few extra yards from scrimmage than Payton – 21,579 to 21,264. Of course, Smith had two extra years on Payton, too.
Sure, Walter Payton ran for 16,726 yards, but he also had 4,538 receiving yards. Plenty of solid receivers retire without that many receiving yards. Another strange but difficult to ignore stat – he also threw for eight touchdowns in his career. He was versatile enough to help out with trick plays – and properly execute them. His 125 career touchdowns are extremely impressive.
Part of the reason Walter Payton had so many yards from scrimmage is that he always relentlessly fought for every single inch he could find on the field. One of my favorite, and most enduring Walter Payton memories, comes from watching him as a kid growing up just outside of Chicago. After he was tackled on every single play he would stick the ball out over his head, trying to stretch the mark of the ball and improve his team’s position. His teammates took note, and loved him for that. His coaches took note and called him a leader. I took note, too, and adopted that philosophy in my own career. If better is possible – if another inch is there for the taking – go after it.
Walter Payton led the NFL just once in his career in rushing yards in a single season. He finished the 1977 season with 1,852 yards rushing, 2,121 total yards from scrimmage, and 16 touchdowns. Oh, and the season was still just 14 games long. I think he earned the MVP he was awarded that season.
Let this be a lesson, kids. Walter Payton ran for just 679 yards as a rookie for the Chicago Bears, despite being drafted fourth overall. Yet, he was roundly praised and his spot with fans and the front office could not have been more secure. Why? He paid attention to – and sweetly executed – the details of the game of football that are so vital. Folks, Walter Payton broke into the league not just because he was a great runner, or because he had the ability to catch out of the backfield, or because he was tough. He broke in – and stayed in – because he was a great blocker, from the first whistle of his rookie season onward.
All of these stats and characteristics add up to a simple truth. In an era of great running backs – players like Eric Dickerson and Tony Dorsett – Payton stood out the most and was largely exulted as the best running back to ever play the game. Walter Payton embodied the three characteristics necessary to put him over the top of any contemporary running back. But he is also better than the greats of other eras, cementing his status as the greatest of all time.
Smith ran for 15 seasons, Payton for just 13. To break Walter Payton’s records, Smith hung around well past his prime. That statement is not intended as a knock on Smith – who is ONE of the better running backs in the history of the game, no question – but are his accomplishments as impressive as Payton’s? No, because it matters how they are accomplished. It matters that Payton missed one game in his entire career, and went out on top, despite his physical style. Smith extended his career by running out of bounds rather than over an opposing player.
While Smith lacked Payton’s toughness, Jim Brown lacked his longevity. Walter Payton went out on top. Brown also went out on top as well – but his “top form” lasted just nine remarkable seasons to Payton’s impressive 13.
Walter Payton was also the master of irony. While his offensive prowess and unmatched toughness led the way for the dominant 1985 Chicago Bears throughout the entire regular season and playoffs, he was unable to score in the 42-10 blowout that was Super Bowl XX. It almost seems unfair that the greatest running back to ever live failed to score in his team’s most important game. Then again, that never bothered Walter Payton. The team won, and that was all he cared about – another attribute of greatness.
Being a great running back is more than just running the ball. Earning that title requires unmatched toughness, versatility, perseverance, and character that is worthy of admiration. Many players throughout NFL history have a mashup of several of those characteristics. Only one player had them all. Walter Payton, the greatest running back in the history of the NFL.
