Walter Jerry Payton

Birth

Jul 25, 1954

Walter J. Payton is born in Columbia, Mississippi.

Alaska

Jan 3, 1959

Alaska became the 49th state.

Martin Luther King Jr.

Apr 4, 1968

Martin Luther King Jr. was shot and killed.

Bears First Draft Pick

Jan 28, 1975

The Chicago Bears pick Payton as their first pick.

Vietnam War

Apr 30, 1975

The Vietnam War officially ended.

Single Game Rushing Record

Nov 20, 1977

Payton rushes for 275 yards in one game against the Minnesota Vikings

Beats Jim Brown's Record

Oct 7, 1984

Walter beats Brown's career rushing record of 12,312 yards.

Final Regular Season Game

Jan 10, 1987

Payton plays his final regular seasong game, and #34 is retired.

Final Game

Jan 10, 1988

Payton plays his final game against the Washington Redskins in a play-off game. His final game was this one because it was a Play-Off game.

Walter Payton's Roundhouse Complex

Mar 21, 1996

Walter and three other partners open up W.P.R.C. which has a brewery, a restaurant, and a museum. This is located in Aurora, Illinois.

Cancer & Liver Disease

Feb 2, 1999

Payton announces that he has a rare liver disease(Primary Sclerosing Chalangitis. and then he is diagnosed with cancer.

First Public Appearance

Apr 12, 1999

Payton makes his first public appearance since he announced that he was sick, at the first pitch at the Chicago Cubs first home game.

Kidneys

Oct 23, 1999

In late October Payton's kidneys failed.

Death

Nov 1, 1999

Walter Payton died at age 45

Memorial

Nov 6, 1999

Nearly 20,000 fans went to Soldier Field to say their Good-Bye's to Walter,