Walter Payton, the Chicago Bears' first-round choice and the fourth player selected in the 1975 National Football League Draft, developed into a superstar of unusual dimensions during his 13-season NFL tenure from 1975 to 1987, all of which he spent with the Chicago Bears.
The 5-10, 200-pound running back who rushed for 3,563 yards in four seasons at Jackson State went on to dominate the rushing section of the NFL record book during and long after his career ended.
The records he held at the time of his retirement included 16,726 total yards, 10 seasons with 1,000 or more yards rushing, 275 yards rushing in one game against Minnesota (1977), 77 games with more than 100 yards rushing, and 110 rushing touchdowns. Payton had 4,368 combined net attempts and accounted for 21,803 combined net yards. He also scored an impressive 750 points on 125 touchdowns.
Payton won the NFC rushing title five straight years from 1976 to 1980. He also led the NFC with 96 points in 1977 and won the NFL kickoff return championship in his rookie 1975 campaign. He was named both All-Pro and All-NFC seven times and played in nine Pro Bowl games. Payton was selected as the NFL's Most Valuable Player in 1977 and 1985, the NFL Offensive Player of the Year in 1977 and 1985 and the NFC Most Valuable Player in 1977.
An amazing runner, Walter rushed for more than 1,000 yards 10 of his 13 seasons. His best season came in 1977, when he ran for 1,852 yards, third best in history at that time. Payton's 492 career pass receptions for 4,538 yards and 15 touchdowns contributed to his exceptional combined net yard totals.
Extremely durable, Payton missed one game in his rookie campaign and then played in 186 consecutive games.
All-NFL: 1976 (AP, PFWA, PW), 1977 (AP, PFWA, NEA, PW), 1978 (PFWA, NEA, PW), 1979 (NEA, PW), 1980 (AP, PFWA, NEA, SN, PW), 1984 (AP, PFWA, NEA, SN, PW), 1985 (AP, PFWA, NEA, SN)
All-NFL Second Team: 1976 (NEA), 1978 (AP), 1979 (AP), 1983 (NEA), 1986 (AP, NEA)
All NFC: 1976 (AP, UPI, SN, PW). 1977 (UPI, SN, PW). 1978 (UPI, SN, PW). 1979 (UPI, SN, PW). 1980 (UPI, PW). 1984 (UPI, PW). 1985 (UPI)
All NFC Second Team: 1983 (UPI). 1986 (UPI)
(9) – 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987
(at time of his retirement following 1987 season)
• [1st] Most Rushing Attempts, Career – 3,838
• [1st] Most Yards Rushing, Career – 16,726
• [1st] Most Seasons, 1,000 or More Yards Rushing – 10
• [1st] Most Yards Rushing, Game – 275 (vs. Minnesota, Nov. 20, 1977)
• [1st] Most Games 100 or More Yards Rushing, Career – 77
• [1st] Most Rushing Touchdowns, Career – 110
• [1st] Most Combined Attempts, Career – 4,368
• [1st] Most Combined Net Yards, Career – 21,803
• [Tied for 1st] Most Consecutive Seasons Leading League, Rushing Attempts – 4 (1976-79)
• [Tied for 1st] Most Consecutive Seasons, 1,000 or More Yards Rushing – 6 (1976-1981)
• [2nd] Most Touchdowns, Career – 125
• [2nd] Most Consecutive Games 100 or More Yards Rushing – 9 (1985)
• [Tied for 2nd] Most Seasons Leading League, Rushing Attempts – 4 (1976-79)
• [Tied for 3rd] Most Consecutive Seasons, 1,000 or More Yards Rushing – 3 (1983-86)
• [Tied for 3rd] Most Games 200 or More Yards Rushing, Season – 2 (1977)
• [Tied for 3rd] Most Games 100 or More Yards Rushing, Season – 10 (1977, 1985)
Pro Bowl Records
• [1st] Most Rushing Attempts, Career – 81
• [1st] Most Yards Rushing, Career – 368
• [1st] Most Receptions, Career – 18
• [2nd] Highest Average Rushing Gain, Game – 6.91 (1985)
• [Tied for 2nd] Most Rushing Touchdown, Career – 2
• [3rd] Most Yards Rushing, Game – 77 (1978)
• [Tied for 3rd] Most Fumbles, Career – 3
Chicago Bears records held by Payton
(Records through the 1987 season, Payton's final season with Chicago)
• [1st] Most Games – 190
• [1st] Most Consecutive Games – 186
• [1st] Most Points Scored, Career – 750
• [1st] Most Touchdowns, Career – 125
• [1st] Most Rushing Attempts, Career – 3,838
• [1st] Most Rushing Attempts, Season – 381 (1984)
• [1st] Most Rushing Attempts, Game – 40 (vs. Minnesota, Nov. 20, 1977)
• [1st] Most Yards Rushing, Career – 16,726
• [1st] Most Seasons, 1,000 or More Yards Rushing – 10
• [1st] Most Yards Rushing, Season – 1,852 (1977)
• [1st] Most Yards Rushing, Game – 275 (vs. Minnesota, Nov. 20, 1977)
• [1st] Most Games 100 or More Yards Rushing, Career – 77
• [1st] Most Consecutive Games 100 or More Yards Rushing – 9 (1985)
• [1st] Most Consecutive Seasons, 1,000 or More Yards Rushing – 6 (1976-1981)
• [1st] Most Games 200 or More Yards Rushing, Season – 2 (1977)
• [1st] Most Games 200 or More Yards Rushing, Career – 2
• [1st] Most Rushing Touchdowns, Career – 110
• [1st] Most Combined Attempts, Career – 4,368
• [1st] Most Combined Attempts, Season – 426 (1984)
• [1st] Most Combined Attempts, Game – 41 (vs. Minnesota, Nov. 20, 1977; at Buffalo, Oct. 7, 1979)
• [1st] Most Combined Net Yards, Career – 21,803
• [Tied for 1st] Most Rushing Touchdowns, Season – 14 (1977, 1979)
• [Tied for 1st] Most Consecutive Games with a Rushing Touchdowns – 7 (1976)
• [1st] Most Pass Receptions, Career – 492
• [2nd] Most Touchdowns, Season – 16 (1977, 1979)
• [2nd] Most Rushing Attempts, Season – 369 (1979)
• [2nd] Most Rushing Attempts, Game – 38 (at Dallas, Nov. 26, 1981)
• [2nd] Most Yards Rushing, Season – 1,684 (1984)
• [2nd] Most Consecutive Games 100 or More Yards Rushing – 6 (1984)
• [2nd] Most Rushing Touchdowns, Season – 13 (1976)
• [2nd] Most Consecutive Games with a Pass Reception – 45 (1984-87)
• [2nd] Most Combined Attempts, Season – 400 (1979)
• [2nd] Most Combined Attempts, Game – 40 (at Dallas, Nov. 26, 1981)
• [Tied for 2nd] Most Seasons – 13
• [Tied for 2nd] Most Consecutive Seasons – 13
• [Tied for 2nd] Most Consecutive Games with a Touchdown – 7 (1976)
• [Tied for 2nd] Most Yards Rushing, Game – 205 (at Green Bay, Oct. 30, 1977)
• [3rd] Most Rushing Attempts, Season – 339 (1977, 1981)
• [3rd] Most Rushing Attempts, Game – 36 (vs. Oakland, Nov. 7, 1976; vs. San Diego, Oct. 25, 1981)
• [3rd] Most Yards Rushing, Season – 1,610 (1979)
• [3rd] Most Consecutive Games 100 or More Yards Rushing – 5 (1977)
• [3rd] Most Receiving Yards, Career – 4,538
• [3rd] Most Combined Attempts, Season – 383 (1978)
• [3rd] Most Combined Attempts, Game – 39 (vs. San Diego, Oct. 25, 1981)
• [3rd] Most Combined Net Yards, Season – 2,216 (1977)
• [3rd] Most Combined Net Yards, Game – 300 (vs. New Orleans, Dec. 21, 1975)
NFL Statistical Championships
Touchdown Leader: 1977
Rushing Titles: 1977
NFC Statistical Championships
Scoring Titles: 1977
Touchdown Leader: 1977, 1979
Rushing Titles: 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980
Team Statistical Championships
Scoring Titles: 1976, 1977, 1979
Touchdown Leader: 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1981, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986
Rushing Titles: 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986
Reception Titles: 1978, 1980, 1981, 1983, 1984, 1985
• 1970s All-Decade Team
• 1980s All-Decade Team
• NFL’s 75th Anniversary Team
• All-Time NFL Team (selected in year 2000)
• 1976 NFC Player of the Year (SN)
• 1977 Most Valuable Player (PFWA, AP, NEA)
• 1977 NFC Player of the Year (UPI, SN)
• 1977 Offensive MVP (AP, PW)
• 1977 NFC Offensive Player of the Year (UPI)
• 1985 Most Valuable Player (NEA, MX)
• 1985 NFC Offensive Player of the Year (UPI)
| 1975 |
Chicago Bears |
4 |
10 |
0 |
(3rd) |
| 1976 |
Chicago Bears |
7 |
7 |
0 |
(2nd) |
| 1977 |
Chicago Bears |
9 |
5 |
0 |
(2nd) |
| 1978 |
Chicago Bears |
7 |
9 |
0 |
(4th) |
| 1979 |
Chicago Bears |
10 |
6 |
0 |
(2nd) |
| 1980 |
Chicago Bears |
7 |
9 |
0 |
(3rd) |
| 1981 |
Chicago Bears |
6 |
10 |
0 |
(5th) |
| 1982 |
Chicago Bears |
3 |
6 |
0 |
(12th*) |
| 1983 |
Chicago Bears |
8 |
8 |
0 |
(3rd) |
| 1984 |
Chicago Bears |
10 |
6 |
0 |
(1st) |
| 1985 |
Chicago Bears |
15 |
1 |
0 |
(1st) |
| 1986 |
Chicago Bears |
14 |
2 |
0 |
(1st) |
| 1987 |
Chicago Bears |
11 |
4 |
0 |
(1st) |
| *NFC regular season finish in strike-shortened season. |