Payton began playing football in Mississppi and played for Jackson State Univeristy. The Chicago Bears in 1975, who selected him with the draft's fourth overall pick. Payton won the Super Bowl with the 1985 Bears. He retired from football at the end of the 1987 season having rushed for at least 1,200 yards in 10 of his 13 seasons in the NFL. In 1993 Payton was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame.Walter Payton was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1996. His legacy includes being the namesake of the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award and the Walter Payton Award