
Gaining yards against the Rams.

Harvey Martin leads a host of Cowboys as they try to stop Walter Payton of the Bears.



"Sweetness" goes airborne to score on the Minnesota Vikings defense. In his 13-year NFL career he scored a total of 125 touchdowns - 110 on the ground.

Sweetness - his nickname from his college days at Jackson State.

Had 10 1000+ yard seasons from 1976 to 1986. The only season he didn't was the strike shortened year of 1982.

Getting behind the blocking of 6'-6" 280 pound Mark Bortz.
All in all he ended up with 77 100+ yard rushing games - that ranks 2nd in the NFL record books.




The NFL's best rushing team of the 1980s was the Chicago Bears. Altogether they totaled 23,321 rushing yards during that decade. Over half of those yards (12,442) were accounted for by the two men here - Walter Payton (#34) and fullback Matt Suhey (#26). They were together from 1980 to 1987.

Bears Great - 16,726 yards, 110 Rushing Touchdowns

The NFL's All-Time Leading Rusher from 1984 to 2002. Finished his career with 16,726 yards.

The Bears offensive line opens up a huge hole for runner Walter Payton (#34) right through the middle of the 49ers defense.

All Packers linebacker Brian Noble (#91) can do is look on as Walter Payton (#34) breaks outside on Green Bay's defense.

Buccaneers great Lee Roy Selmon brings down Walter Payton as the Bears runner looses his grip on the football. From Bears-Bucs action in 1980.

Wit Packers defensive players Johnnie Gray (#24) & Mike Butler (#77) close behind, Bears legend Walter Payton (#34) rips through the Green Bay defense in 1977.

Set the NFL's All Time Career Rushing Yardage mark in 1984 with 16,726. He held that position until it was broken in 2002 by Emmitt Smith.

In a 1984 games against the Saints, Walter Payton broke Jim Brown's rushing record of 12,312 yards. Payton finished his career in 1987 with 16,726 yards to his credit.

The Great Walter Payton - Was the NFL's All Time Leading rusher from 1984 to 2002 - 16726 yards. Also had a 4.4 lifetime rushing average and 110 rushing touchdowns.

Bears great Walter Payton gets escapes from Lions defensive back James Hunter. In 13 seasons Payton rushed for over a thousand yards 10 times.

Walter Payton behind fellow runner Matt Suhey. The two manned the Bears backfield together from 1981 till 1987 as Payton had 5 1000+ yard seasons in that time. Keep in mind the other two were strike years.

The Chicago Bears backfield for much of the 1980s - Walter Payton and Matt Suhey.

Walter Payton meets up with some guys from the Detroit Lions Defense in 1977. Payton rushed for league-high 1852 yards in 1977. That was the 3rd best single-season total yet in NFL history at the time. His 339 attempts, 5.5 YPA and 14 rushing touchdowns were best that season as well. The Lions here are Charlie Weaver (#59), Jim Laslavic (#52) and 13-year vet Larry Hand (#74).