In my humble opinion, Walter Payton was the best football player in the history of the game. He was all the Bears had offensively for the first 7 years he played. No real passing threat so defenses keyed on Payton. The offensive line sent no one to the pro bowl. He was a one man team. Unbelievable skills. He could run, block, receive, pass, kick, and punt. He was considered the best blocking back in the league as well as the best runner
I worked at Soldier Field from 77 to 79 and got see Walter play many times during this span of his Career. Got to talk to him on occasion as well. I am lucky to have seen both Walter Payton and Michael Jordan play in person. The two GOAT.
Not only was he the greatest running back ever in terms of his balance, power ( especially for his size) and consistency but he was an amazing pass catcher and blocker, as well as excellent throwing the ball. Quite simply put he was the greatest PLAYER ever, not just the best running back of all time!
His running style was absolutely amazing! The power, moves, speed, stiff arms, stutter step, holding the ball like a loaf of bread, just incredible!!! Best to ever play the game in history!!!
I don't care what anyone says! Walter Payton was the best to ever strap up! His style is no holds barred! Physical...Brutal... Intimidating...and in the end inspiring! Imagine on the sidelines of those Bears teams from 1975 - before Ditka arrived as Head Coach in 1983. His efforts turned games around and totally uplifted those teams! When you have players like that, you know deep down that it makes everyone BELIEVE because they see this guy bustin his ass on every down, and making no excuses. Walter Payton was a pure joy to watch, even if you were a fan of another team. You knew you were watching a one of a kind!
As a Pittsburgh Steelers fan I have to agree with everything you said! He was a pure joy to watch! One for the ages! I also could imagine if the Steelers had him, we would have won at least two or more Super Bowls! Nothing against Franco Harris but Walter was one of the best that ever played football! I’m glad I got to see him play! Ben....
Best RB show in football all-time. Had excited, athletic linemen and Payton was among the greats at maximizing the impact of their blocks. Walter visited our high school field house on a few occasions in the late 70s. Left a tremendous impression with his energy and passion for sport. NFL needs more of his type. Thanks for the memories 34!
The greatest football player of all time. He had the best balance I have ever seen. He could do it all. Weak tackling wasn't going to get him down, you had to wrap up. He also had class,no celebrating and jumping around dancing like a fool after a touchdown. This was my childhood growing up watching him on the southside of Chicago.
This video demonstrates that there's much much more to Walter Payton than his phenomenal statistics. The way he fought to the very end of every carry puts him in a class of his own, above all the rest.
The best there ever was. Can't think of any other backs that had that combination of durability, agility, vision, ability to juke, and the power to truck a would-be tackler. He was dripping with style when he ran the ball...pure Sweetness.
I was fortunate enough to see him play every Sunday, he was by far the greatest player to EVER put on the uniform, Walter did it all, better than anyone!!! Amazing because he was only 5'10 205lbs
Thank you for making this video! This and the later years is by far the best highlights of Sweetness. Music is great! I could watch this over and over.
RIP sweetness! You were absolutely the greatest football player I ever have seen, play the game of football ! There will never be another to run the ball like that! GOAT
I love that move he made against Buffalo at 15:16 of this video. But all of those runs were great, but that one move just stands. He's off the ground when he throws it. AMAZING. #34 Payton 🏈.
He became my hero as a young boy in 1978. Whenever we would play backyard football I felt like I was him. Sweetness helped make my youth great and feel very blessed to have grown up during the period I did. I just wish I would have gotten to see him play in person. I would have given anything to have met him. Rip Sweetness.
Good comment. I agree to have been blessed. I used to jump over hedges with my friends pretending to be Payton. We got hurt but it didn't matter. I was lucky enough to meet Walter in the early 90's and he was funny and gracious. He told my friend his fly was down... it wasn't. 😀
When I say that the Bears had no passing game during this era I mean exactly that - nothing. Everyone in the stadium knew who was getting the rock and he still shredded. He ran with more heart than anyone in league history.
Only h back in history To score a passing touchdown a reception touchdown and a rushing touchdown in the same game The most complete football player to have ever done it!!
Walter could also punt, and he could walk on his hands from goal line to goal line. No joke. Best offensive player ever. Best defense has to be Lawrence Taylor. Both guys could find ways to win. Just superior athletes.
As a huge walter payton fan i can say this is one of the best videos. The great music combined with alot of runs you dont see makes me remember why i became a bears fan! Thanks!!
@@rte4634 I have to disagree. this music and the majority of this type of presentation literally made me fall asleep, and I am a huge Walter Payton fan-he was perhaps the best football player ever...IMHO NFL Films and the Sabols, as vital to the league as they were for its growth in the past, sorta missed the boat on what is actually entertaining/thrilling/spectacular especially to the youth compared to the NBA and to what the NFL Net is doing now...it wasnt until the Sabols basically were sick and dead where better things like the Americas Game and A Football Life documentaries began being produced-due to the monopoly the NFL had let the Sabols have out of gratitude for helping the league get to the next level during the 70s...i know old school fans are fond of the music(and the Sabols) due to the memories and whatnot, but that music brings little to the table except to make the viewer lose interest and maybe fall sleep due to its redundant nature...and the slow motion closeup camera angles also kinda take something away-how are we supposed to appreciate the skills or speed of a great RB if everything we see him do is in slow motion and the camera is always zooming in directly on him instead of showing how he navigates and fights his way thru a crowded field? I prefer highlight vids presented in real-time speed from the sideline cams the game is usually presented live to us thru-like at 6:47 in this vid, with replays mixed in shown in slow motion and thru closeup angles, that way we can get a sense of the excitement of the crowd the speed/quickness of the rb and the flow of the game itself while still viewing everything thats already here...my problem is younger generations think players from yesterday cant compete-with these modern generations even tho and perhaps specifically because they have only seen footage of players like Payton in slow motion...
Had the moves, the speed, the power, the field vision, the heart and passion, stayed healthy, never missed games, could block or pass in dominant fashion, there wasn't anything he couldn't do on the field! The best to ever put on the uniform hands down! I mean seriously, 5'10 205lbs and to do what he did is beyond human at times. G O A T, end of story!!
He could make a 3 yard run look graceful! Walter was so fun to watch every Sunday, simply the greatest to ever play!! Too bad these young kids have no clue how special he really was!
That run against the Vikings is my all-time Payton memory. Cuts puts his head down. That play shows what that man was all about. As a kid growing up in the Chicago area at that time,there wasn't a role model for work ethic or a way you played for joy than he showed . Not the biggest or the fastest. Definitely the one with the best ❤️.
This guy was amazing considering every defensive player on the field in the first half of his career knew when he was getting the ball run or catch, and he still put up the numbers! If the Bears would have had an average passing game, I believe he could have had a 2,000-yard season in 14 games in 77'! Sanders may have the elusive hips, but Payton had pure determination and a stiff arm that could knock your ass out!
Had to watch AGAIN. This is THE greatest Payton highlight video EVER. It's better than his own Pure Payton video. Takes me back to my childhood in the sensational 70s and it's complete with the majestic old NFL films music. Like Payton's runs, EFFORT was put into this video. He'd be impressed.
THE...Baddest Back Ever. Barry Sanders made guys miss him, trip over themselves to tackle him and etc, but Walter not only made guys miss him, he'd RUN THROUGH GUYS TOO!
Excellent compilation! Great hands and great blocker too. Always clobbered the blitzing LB or SS. Remember Walter always played that style every play and missed one game his entire career because management made him sit due to injury.
Yes indeed. He fought for every inch. Also, when I met him in the early 90's after his career was over, he was extremely funny and nice. Can't believe he is gone.
Loved watching Walter play and no doubt one of the greatest ever. Everyone knew he was getting the ball pretty much every play so defenses keyed on him and yet he still busted through. The one thing I notice in these highlights however is how often #69 was in the play, leading the way, making key blocks so I think Revie Sorey was a very underrated player.
Sweetness my childhood hero. I even taped up my ankles like him in HS & wore the number 34. Walter Payton day in Chicago is on my birthday November 6. Walter Jerry Payton will forever live in my heart!
He was a beast and could have played that 1 missed game. Coaches decision 'cause of a supposed hurt ankle. The 1982 and 1987 NFL strike years hurt his game and also his overall numbers. I believe he would be the all-time NFL rushing king if not for the missed games because of the 2 NFL strikes.
No matter what the Bears record was, no matter what the score was Water Payton always left everything on the field. Fans were never cheated by him. I still hear that song Nobody Does It Better every time I see a Sweetness highlight. #34 truely the GOAT.
Payton's running style was so punishingly + violently graceful/elegant to behold. what a combo lol. we definitely won't see another one quite like it. RIP Sweetness
Anything but a drunken sailor. I was lucky to have been in the stands when "Sweetness" ran for some 275 yards against Minnesota. Jaw dropping performance. Met him in Lake Forest. Wonderful human. #34 forever.
Oh, the punishment he dished out! Always seemed more than he ever got...Sometimes I swear he changed direction in mid air...He will always be my favorite Bear, GOAT, imo
11:05 is my new favorite run now. I have seen it from another angle many times before but the way he accelerates forward, eyes up the DB and destroys him, the music is perfect at that moment as well. When he is finally out of bounds you can see the DB (Danny Reece) flat on his back and still not even moving.
He was likely knocked out... if you watch, his head whiplashes into the ground really hard. The hit from Walter wasn't even helmet-to-helmet or devastating he kind of just ran through him and threw him to the ground. Walter is the greatest football player of all time in my opinion.
Walter was the greatest blessing the NFL ever received! His graceful running style was an illusion that unleashed an unbelievable superhuman strength and power! His competitive will was so immense that it inspires every generation of athletes to this day! All this was wrapped inside an undeniable spirit of humility and will forever be remembered simply as “Sweetness”
He’s the greatest. Remember the Bears were awful for the first half of his career. They finally became dominant around 83-84. After 8 years of him carrying the team.
GREAT VIDEO !!! I love the instrumental music combined with the runs. That is so 1970's. It reminds me of my teen years, when I was a diehard football fan. 😂 R.I.P " SWEETNESS "
This athlete if he had been born now, the publicity that would describe him would be .... NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE, thank you very much for the video, someone who likes soccer sees this video to understand American football.
Thanks for the comment Cesar! It is interesting to read comments from those that have come from a culture or upbringing of soccer. American football is different for sure. It is physical and different from soccer. But what is common is speed! Walter Payton had a combination of speed and power. so unique!
Cesar, I have known how truly fortunate I am. I'm from Chicago, from age 6 onward my life would include Walter Payton through the late 70s into the mid-80s. Then came Michael Jordan, I went to games where he scored 50 points. I never saw Walter play in-person, but I talked to him a few times as an adult. 100% Class.
After many year...I say in spanish....este era un Crack...un monstruo....de los que los ves una y otra vez. Y dices esta era una máquina....gracias amigos totales
Just imagine there's not one defensive player who could say Walter Payton ran out of bounce to avoid getting hit . Not only the Greatest running back but player
Payton's success from '75 to '79 is made all the more remarkable by the fact that for most of that stretch, Bob Avellini was QB, and Avellini was a disease who was terrible even by the 70's standards. Even in these clips you can see defenses with 5 and 6 man lines and boxed fronts with cheating linebackers, who dared the Bears to throw, and whose only serious alternate threat was the occasional deep completion to speedy receiver James Scott. Also, how about some love for Roland Harper (#35), the Bears FB from '75 to '78, who gave Payton some nice lead blocks, some shown here at the 12:00 and 12:14 marks, and who was no slouch either when given the ball. Harper himself from '75 to '78 had 607 carries for 2527 yards, a very respectable 4.2 average.
you couldn't have done Sweetness any better justice w/these great 2-parter career reels of him, salute man! Payton's inimitable style, not to mention all-out immeasurable heart and determination, on the gridiron will likely never be duplicated nor surpassed. just so special. embodied and epitomized what one would like or hope a football player should be on field.. and hell even off. when you think of the term "Football Player", Sweetness face in his pads 'n all should show up, imo. and damn rightfully so, he's universally respected + held in the highest of regard.
G O A T 3️⃣4️⃣ Sweetness Thanks for this! So many runs I havent seen. Id be interested in the team offensive stat sheets for other “comparable” RB’s versus 34 and the Bears. Because for almost all those 34 Bears years, it was obvious what the next play was gonna be...
Playing on that "Astro turf" was like playing on cement. His nickname may have been "Sweetness", but he delivered as many hits as he took and was ridiculously strong.
Yes it was. As a drummer in high school during a competition at Soldier Field in the early 80's, we would throw our drumsticks on the 'turf' before the competition, and they would bounce 5-6ft high. We would laugh and do it over and over again and see who could catch it. Hard as a rock, and I know it would hurt to be tackled on it. Also, the turf was bowed towards the sidelines. The center of the field was at least 1-2 ft higher than the sidelines. I was literally stunned by that fact. No wonder you see quarterbacks overthrow receivers on the sidelines.
@@rte4634 That's like Wrigley field up until renovations with the crowning in the center of the infield. The right side of the infield had a legit slope into 3rd base which could affect a game.
I used to love watching Walter run, even on plays not on the highlight reels he would always make the tackler pay for it. Sometimes he'd do that high kick his trademark so fun to watch. Never excessive celebration a class act all around.
one of the best highlight videos i ever seen of payton and alot of runs i never seen before,well done. you should have included 1980 as i think that was paytons last year of "his prime" great video but thw slo mo does not do him justice it cant show how quick and fast he really was.
Thank you @mmeatheaddd. I appreciate the compliment!! I know what you mean. After I posted the vid, I thought the same thing. Walter's 1980 season was one of his best, and I should have included it. I may do an exclusive 1980 season. I watched most of his games ..as it happened, and I was awestruck at how quick and powerful he was.... As great as he was, I think he is underrated by the so-called "experts".
payton is the best back of all time the rest can argue over #2 :) i could go on with how bad the bears were and how little help he had until the mid 80's came around but im sure you know. but i will say this in his first 10 years emmitt smith had 22 pro bowl o line men payton had zero even barry sanders had a better o-line wr's and qbs then payton did over the same time. yes please do more payton videos check this out ua-cam.com/video/kRbXRQvZjcA/v-deo.html @4:20 it shows a 75 yard payton run but in game speed night and day difference vs slow mo there a ton of nlf half time highlights from back in the day could be good source if you need clips
@@rte4634 watch this video ua-cam.com/video/rmcQPMo8L3E/v-deo.html alot of real game speed clips shows how truly fast and quick payton was. this would be a great video to pull some highlights from for anyone wanting to make payton videos "hint hint" .
@@rte4634 I second the vote to have an exclusive 1980! You've done such an incredible job with this , I'm having trouble even grasping how you got access to all this footage. WOW!!!
Thanks @@judebarnes9209. I did post an '80-'87 tribute to Payton, but I will gladly look at posting an exclusive 1980 Payton Highlight reel. May take some time to find unique clips.
Steven Paoli, I remember seeing that Nobody Does it Better film that CBS did. If memory serves, they ran it after the last regular season game or after the playoff thrashing Dallas gave the Bears. I know I saw it but it seems like a favor dream. Thank you for confirming. Walter set the single-game record on my 10th birthday so you know who my favorite was (and is)!
Great comment! I was tired of it too. I made it a mission of sorts to find new clips. Some of them are recycled in this video, but I was happy to find new ones to include. Of course, I found some great clips after I posted this one, but I will save that for another day.
@@rte4634 Thanks for the videos. I love Walter Payton and I enjoyed his whole career as a kid growing up on the southside of Chicago in the 70's. You did a great job. ESPN should hire you and the music was perfect. Thanks for not using hip hop music.
My favorite move is after he would score a touchdown he would hand the ball off to someone else, many times one of his lineman, so they could spike it. He was a class act!
That's my guy David Lewis #57 for the Bucs @11:20 trying to tackle Walter. He passed in 2020. We talked about him playing against Walter a few times and he said Walter was the toughest rb he ever saw. I met him when I moved from Chicago to Tampa several years ago.
So fun to watch. The elusiveness, the crazy footwork, the stiff arms, the toughness. Then there was the person. Humble, and the way he would knock guys down doing his job, or just shed them, but give them a pat or help them up after the play.
Thanks. They are not his greatest runs, but I focused on those not frequently posted.. or hard to find. That was my goal with this post. Still have some in my archives for a later date.
Remember he used to punish the defense, ramming straight through the line. He even said he enjoyed trying to hit them as hard as possible. I think he was the toughest rb of all time. And that scissor kick thing he'd do on his runs. 100% original
For me the run at 13:25 of this video is my favorite Payton run. He takes the toss left, strides through a tiny sliver of a hole, gets up to full speed very quickly, absolutely plows through a defensive back, and from that point on is attacked from all sides by three or four Viking defenders . . . and, completely on his own, scratches, scrapes, and claws his way INTO THE END ZONE for the score. Incredible.
@@rte4634 I'm from Chicago and reached my formative years in the early 80s, so I've only gotten to see the original broadcast footage of that run once. It's worth seeing because it's not slowed down like the NFL Films footage is . . . you get to see his speed, strength, acceleration, quickness, toughness, and heart all in that one run. That run encapsulates Payton as a runner better than any other, and he had many others.
Fun facts: Walter Payton's signature shoe was the Kangaroos (Roos). How many people remember that? He was also on a episode of Soul Train in the 1970's.
I've seen excerpts from his Soul Train appearance in "Walter Payton: A Football Life" here on YT. Be aware if you watch it, the last 15 minutes are tear jerkers.
He missed one game in 10 seasons. For years he played behind a mediocre line at best with an almost zero passing offense. So yes, he was the best by far.
Just rewind this and watch his linemen. All of them busted a gut for him. How many times do you see #65 in the end zone with Payton- and Walter hands HIM the ball. And the same with the other big guys. You can tell he loved them and respected them for giving their hearts and bodies to block and clear a path for SWEETNESS. That’s a sportsman. Too bad the NFL is dead now. It went to garbage. That’s so sad. Walter would be beside himself to see what the sport has turned into today. RIP 34
Walter, had better field vision than any h back I have seen, andthis video showed it, and you are right his line never quit on him and he never gave up during the play even in the worst situations. The G.O.A.T.
In my humble opinion, Walter Payton was the best football player in the history of the game. He was all the Bears had offensively for the first 7 years he played. No real passing threat so defenses keyed on Payton. The offensive line sent no one to the pro bowl. He was a one man team. Unbelievable skills. He could run, block, receive, pass, kick, and punt. He was considered the best blocking back in the league as well as the best runner
I worked at Soldier Field from 77 to 79 and got see Walter play many times during this span of his Career.
Got to talk to him on occasion as well.
I am lucky to have seen both Walter Payton and Michael Jordan play in person.
The two GOAT.
What about Gayle Sayers?
I always tell people the same thing!
The Greatest to ever play:
Michael Jordan and Walter Payton
Not only was he the greatest running back ever in terms of his balance, power ( especially for his size) and consistency but he was an amazing pass catcher and blocker, as well as excellent throwing the ball. Quite simply put he was the greatest PLAYER ever, not just the best running back of all time!
His running style was absolutely amazing! The power, moves, speed, stiff arms, stutter step, holding the ball like a loaf of bread, just incredible!!! Best to ever play the game in history!!!
Tough as they come! He was one of a kind!
Best overall player in history! Incredible blocker.
Truth!
He is the most complete Running Back in NFL history! He could even kick field goals & punt. He did it all.
... and when he couldn't go around you, he'd lower a shoulder and go THROUGH you.
I don't care what anyone says! Walter Payton was the best to ever strap up! His style is no holds barred! Physical...Brutal... Intimidating...and in the end inspiring! Imagine on the sidelines of those Bears teams from 1975 - before Ditka arrived as Head Coach in 1983. His efforts turned games around and totally uplifted those teams! When you have players like that, you know deep down that it makes everyone BELIEVE because they see this guy bustin his ass on every down, and making no excuses. Walter Payton was a pure joy to watch, even if you were a fan of another team. You knew you were watching a one of a kind!
Great comment! So true. All out effort, every play, by an all-time great! Tougher than anyone who has ever played the game.
100% spot on correct!!! The best who has ever played the game!
As a Pittsburgh Steelers fan I have to agree with everything you said! He was a pure joy to watch! One for the ages! I also could imagine if the Steelers had him, we would have won at least two or more Super Bowls! Nothing against Franco Harris but Walter was one of the best that ever played football! I’m glad I got to see him play! Ben....
Yes the BEST!!
The dude was the shit!
Best RB show in football all-time. Had excited, athletic linemen and Payton was among the greats at maximizing the impact of their blocks. Walter visited our high school field house on a few occasions in the late 70s. Left a tremendous impression with his energy and passion for sport. NFL needs more of his type. Thanks for the memories 34!
The greatest football player of all time. He had the best balance I have ever seen. He could do it all. Weak tackling wasn't going to get him down, you had to wrap up. He also had class,no celebrating and jumping around dancing like a fool after a touchdown. This was my childhood growing up watching him on the southside of Chicago.
That kids, is the greatest football player ever. Didn't have an All-Pro lineman until the end of his career. No passing game. Just him. Amazing.
This video demonstrates that there's much much more to Walter Payton than his phenomenal statistics.
The way he fought to the very end of every carry puts him in a class of his own, above all the rest.
The best there ever was. Can't think of any other backs that had that combination of durability, agility, vision, ability to juke, and the power to truck a would-be tackler. He was dripping with style when he ran the ball...pure Sweetness.
My idol him and Earl Campbell, there will be no one like them EVER!
My favorite football player of all-time.
I was fortunate enough to see him play every Sunday, he was by far the greatest player to EVER put on the uniform, Walter did it all, better than anyone!!! Amazing because he was only 5'10 205lbs
Sweetness was beyond the greatness of Barry Sanders, Jim Brown, Emmitt Smith, O.J. Simpson or any other great running back. R.I.P. Walter.
Mine too and as a boy growing up in Chicago at the time, HE'S what made me love the game of football and ESPECIALLY DA BEARS!!!!!!
Hands down the best to play this game
Mine also. There is the epic story if him stiff arming a guy from the rams and breaking that guys sternum.
Most unique combination of grace,power, and style ever. No duplication possible
Thank you for making this video! This and the later years is by far the best highlights of Sweetness. Music is great! I could watch this over and over.
Thank you 😊 He was the best!
I watched every game I could ,he's the best of all time ,and the most relentless
RIP sweetness! You were absolutely the greatest football player I ever have seen, play the game of football ! There will never be another to run the ball like that! GOAT
I love that move he made against Buffalo at 15:16 of this video. But all of those runs were great, but that one move just stands. He's off the ground when he throws it. AMAZING. #34 Payton 🏈.
He became my hero as a young boy in 1978. Whenever we would play backyard football I felt like I was him. Sweetness helped make my youth great and feel very blessed to have grown up during the period I did. I just wish I would have gotten to see him play in person. I would have given anything to have met him. Rip Sweetness.
Good comment. I agree to have been blessed. I used to jump over hedges with my friends pretending to be Payton. We got hurt but it didn't matter. I was lucky enough to meet Walter in the early 90's and he was funny and gracious. He told my friend his fly was down... it wasn't. 😀
When I say that the Bears had no passing game during this era I mean exactly that - nothing. Everyone in the stadium knew who was getting the rock and he still shredded. He ran with more heart than anyone in league history.
Bears still have no passing game and it is 2020
You're right! He's the best.
I'm seeing a trend of #69 laying down huge blocks. Who is that? Gotta respek
I was there and that is a fact !!!
@@xHeight Noah Jackson !!! Outstanding !!!
@@xHeight revie sorey #69 Noah Jackson #65 Dennis lick #70 Ted Albrect #64 Dan Neal # 52
Only h back in history
To score a passing touchdown a reception touchdown and a rushing touchdown in the same game
The most complete football player to have ever done it!!
October 21st, 1979 at Minnesota.
Walter could also punt, and he could walk on his hands from goal line to goal line. No joke. Best offensive player ever. Best defense has to be Lawrence Taylor. Both guys could find ways to win. Just superior athletes.
@@nothx962 I firmly believe that, pound for pound, Payton is easily the strongest human being that has ever played in the NFL.
As a huge walter payton fan i can say this is one of the best videos. The great music combined with alot of runs you dont see makes me remember why i became a bears fan! Thanks!!
Thanks @Sepp. Just love NFL Films and their music score. A great compliment to the "All-Time Great" Walter Payton!
@@rte4634 I have to disagree. this music and the majority of this type of presentation literally made me fall asleep, and I am a huge Walter Payton fan-he was perhaps the best football player ever...IMHO NFL Films and the Sabols, as vital to the league as they were for its growth in the past, sorta missed the boat on what is actually entertaining/thrilling/spectacular especially to the youth compared to the NBA and to what the NFL Net is doing now...it wasnt until the Sabols basically were sick and dead where better things like the Americas Game and A Football Life documentaries began being produced-due to the monopoly the NFL had let the Sabols have out of gratitude for helping the league get to the next level during the 70s...i know old school fans are fond of the music(and the Sabols) due to the memories and whatnot, but that music brings little to the table except to make the viewer lose interest and maybe fall sleep due to its redundant nature...and the slow motion closeup camera angles also kinda take something away-how are we supposed to appreciate the skills or speed of a great RB if everything we see him do is in slow motion and the camera is always zooming in directly on him instead of showing how he navigates and fights his way thru a crowded field?
I prefer highlight vids presented in real-time speed from the sideline cams the game is usually presented live to us thru-like at 6:47 in this vid, with replays mixed in shown in slow motion and thru closeup angles, that way we can get a sense of the excitement of the crowd the speed/quickness of the rb and the flow of the game itself while still viewing everything thats already here...my problem is younger generations think players from yesterday cant compete-with these modern generations even tho and perhaps specifically because they have only seen footage of players like Payton in slow motion...
Had the moves, the speed, the power, the field vision, the heart and passion, stayed healthy, never missed games, could block or pass in dominant fashion, there wasn't anything he couldn't do on the field! The best to ever put on the uniform hands down! I mean seriously, 5'10 205lbs and to do what he did is beyond human at times. G O A T, end of story!!
Great, yet underrated! It kills me that there are those that don't understand his greatness!
I agree as a kid growing up watching his whole career on the southside of Chicago.
Have you noticed that with most of the "greatest ever..." videos here on YT they rarely go back beyond the '90s?
@@indy_go_blue6048 exactly. except for this one. I had to dig pretty deep to get this content.
Payton's run at 8:34 is Hall-of-Fame level! He sheds three tackles, then bowls over two more defenders! The best 18-yard rush you'll ever see.
He could make a 3 yard run look graceful! Walter was so fun to watch every Sunday, simply the greatest to ever play!! Too bad these young kids have no clue how special he really was!
Thanks Roger Plummer and fan4life34! Both of you know greatness when you see it! Damn, Walter was awesome!
That run against the Vikings is my all-time Payton memory. Cuts puts his head down. That play shows what that man was all about. As a kid growing up in the Chicago area at that time,there wasn't a role model for work ethic or a way you played for joy than he showed . Not the biggest or the fastest. Definitely the one with the best ❤️.
Touched five ? times before crossing the line of scrimmage and still gets twenty.......beast
Greatest RB of all time! And he's from my state Mississippi. Much pride!!
This guy was amazing considering every defensive player on the field in the first half of his career knew when he was getting the ball run or catch, and he still put up the numbers! If the Bears would have had an average passing game, I believe he could have had a 2,000-yard season in 14 games in 77'! Sanders may have the elusive hips, but Payton had pure determination and a stiff arm that could knock your ass out!
Had to watch AGAIN. This is THE greatest Payton highlight video EVER. It's better than his own Pure Payton video. Takes me back to my childhood in the sensational 70s and it's complete with the majestic old NFL films music. Like Payton's runs, EFFORT was put into this video. He'd be impressed.
Mine too! He ran, blocked, kicked, passed, and received!
THE...Baddest Back Ever. Barry Sanders made guys miss him, trip over themselves to tackle him and etc, but Walter not only made guys miss him, he'd RUN THROUGH GUYS TOO!
Walter Payton was the Battle King of running backs in NFL history.
Excellent compilation! Great hands and great blocker too. Always clobbered the blitzing LB or SS. Remember Walter always played that style every play and missed one game his entire career because management made him sit due to injury.
There's never been another player that fought for every inch like Walter. Off the field: once of the nicest gentleman you would ever meet.
Yes indeed. He fought for every inch. Also, when I met him in the early 90's after his career was over, he was extremely funny and nice. Can't believe he is gone.
The best football player I have ever seen period regardless of position!
Loved watching Walter play and no doubt one of the greatest ever. Everyone knew he was getting the ball pretty much every play so defenses keyed on him and yet he still busted through. The one thing I notice in these highlights however is how often #69 was in the play, leading the way, making key blocks so I think Revie Sorey was a very underrated player.
Best EVER! had No Line No Quarterback and still kicked major butt!
Walter made running the football look like pure art
Sweetness my childhood hero. I even taped up my ankles like him in HS & wore the number 34. Walter Payton day in Chicago is on my birthday November 6. Walter Jerry Payton will forever live in my heart!
I am with you on that. You could see the heart and determination in every play he was involved in.
The fact he only missed one non-strike game, in 13 years, on Soldier fields terrible astroturf is proof that Sweetness wasn't human.
He was a beast and could have played that 1 missed game. Coaches decision 'cause of a supposed hurt ankle. The 1982 and 1987 NFL strike years hurt his game and also his overall numbers. I believe he would be the all-time NFL rushing king if not for the missed games because of the 2 NFL strikes.
No matter what the Bears record was, no matter what the score was Water Payton always left everything on the field. Fans were never cheated by him. I still hear that song Nobody Does It Better every time I see a Sweetness highlight. #34 truely the GOAT.
Pure inspiration. And it surprised me to see that Noah Jackson #65 never made all-pro. He was laying down the hurt in these clips!
What I loved about Walter Payton is that he didn't do any celebration after a touchdown, he acted like he been there before.
Preeeeeeeeach!
Payton's running style was so punishingly + violently graceful/elegant to behold. what a combo lol. we definitely won't see another one quite like it. RIP Sweetness
Sweetness played football with swag and personality. He made it fun to watch. He was like a Superhero in cleats!💯👍
Anything but a drunken sailor. I was lucky to have been in the stands when "Sweetness" ran for some 275 yards against Minnesota. Jaw dropping performance. Met him in Lake Forest. Wonderful human. #34 forever.
I heave a tear in my eye watching his great runs and the grace he diplayed when he scored..Something our culture has lost
Simply the GOAT, RIP Sweetness. Great video!
Oh, the punishment he dished out! Always seemed more than he ever got...Sometimes I swear he changed direction in mid air...He will always be my favorite Bear, GOAT, imo
Speaking of punishment... I love @11:11 (watch for the DB on the ground) and @13:27 (pinball machine)
old school music is perfect too...sounds like background from a 70s action movie. suits his style.
Just friggin' amazing! Happy I could watch him play when I was a kid even though I wasn't a Bears fan.
The best there ever was ....so many great plays
11:05 is my new favorite run now. I have seen it from another angle many times before but the way he accelerates forward, eyes up the DB and destroys him, the music is perfect at that moment as well. When he is finally out of bounds you can see the DB (Danny Reece) flat on his back and still not even moving.
That is EPIC! I love how he destroys that DB! LOL. Walter was so strong... and I think his strength was underrated over his career.
He was likely knocked out... if you watch, his head whiplashes into the ground really hard. The hit from Walter wasn't even helmet-to-helmet or devastating he kind of just ran through him and threw him to the ground. Walter is the greatest football player of all time in my opinion.
Walter Payton GOAT
By all means, Walter Payton was a true legend.
Agree. Very few in the history of the NFL are considered a true legend
Man was he a beast got to watch him myself
the ultimate durable back only missed one game not from injury God built the indestructible sweetness
Great music selections and an amazing football player! Thanks for putting together the video.
Excellent tribute to the Best Ever! This is up there with the old CBS "Nobody does it better" video. Great great job! Go 2018 Bears!
Even Jim Brown said Water Payton was one of the best, if not the best.
Walter was the greatest blessing the NFL ever received! His graceful running style was an illusion that unleashed an unbelievable superhuman strength and power! His competitive will was so immense that it inspires every generation of athletes to this day! All this was wrapped inside an undeniable spirit of humility and will forever be remembered simply as “Sweetness”
He’s the greatest. Remember the Bears were awful for the first half of his career. They finally became dominant around 83-84. After 8 years of him carrying the team.
GREAT VIDEO !!! I love the instrumental music combined with the runs. That is so 1970's. It reminds me of my teen years, when I was a diehard football fan. 😂 R.I.P " SWEETNESS "
Thanks for posting. RIP #34.
I Love How Walter Payton would work so hard to score then when he did just like nothing hands it over to his teammates or the Ref The Greatest
I love highlights from the 70's. Classic NFL films.
This athlete if he had been born now, the publicity that would describe him would be .... NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE, thank you very much for the video, someone who likes soccer sees this video to understand American football.
Thanks for the comment Cesar! It is interesting to read comments from those that have come from a culture or upbringing of soccer. American football is different for sure. It is physical and different from soccer. But what is common is speed! Walter Payton had a combination of speed and power. so unique!
Cesar, I have known how truly fortunate I am. I'm from Chicago, from age 6 onward my life would include Walter Payton through the late 70s into the mid-80s. Then came Michael Jordan, I went to games where he scored 50 points. I never saw Walter play in-person, but I talked to him a few times as an adult. 100% Class.
After many year...I say in spanish....este era un Crack...un monstruo....de los que los ves una y otra vez. Y dices esta era una máquina....gracias amigos totales
Just imagine there's not one defensive player who could say Walter Payton ran out of bounce to avoid getting hit . Not only the Greatest running back but player
He did go out of bounds at times, still the greatest tho
34 had jim browns respect ✊🏽
Payton's success from '75 to '79 is made all the more remarkable by the fact that for most of that stretch, Bob Avellini was QB, and Avellini was a disease who was terrible even by the 70's standards. Even in these clips you can see defenses with 5 and 6 man lines and boxed fronts with cheating linebackers, who dared the Bears to throw, and whose only serious alternate threat was the occasional deep completion to speedy receiver James Scott. Also, how about some love for Roland Harper (#35), the Bears FB from '75 to '78, who gave Payton some nice lead blocks, some shown here at the 12:00 and 12:14 marks, and who was no slouch either when given the ball. Harper himself from '75 to '78 had 607 carries for 2527 yards, a very respectable 4.2 average.
Thx you for this. Big bears fan but he was before my time. Happy we all at least have this. Rip sweetness #34🐻🔽
Payton ran like he was running from the police. Had such a frantic style of running that has never been duplicated.
All Walter's first down celebrations, endzone dances and taunting must be on another reel. 😁
you couldn't have done Sweetness any better justice w/these great 2-parter career reels of him, salute man! Payton's inimitable style, not to mention all-out immeasurable heart and determination, on the gridiron will likely never be duplicated nor surpassed. just so special. embodied and epitomized what one would like or hope a football player should be on field.. and hell even off. when you think of the term "Football Player", Sweetness face in his pads 'n all should show up, imo. and damn rightfully so, he's universally respected + held in the highest of regard.
Great comment! Thank you. You know greatness when you see it!
G O A T 3️⃣4️⃣ Sweetness
Thanks for this! So many runs I havent seen. Id be interested in the team offensive stat sheets for other “comparable” RB’s versus 34 and the Bears. Because for almost all those 34 Bears years, it was obvious what the next play was gonna be...
Playing on that "Astro turf" was like playing on cement. His nickname may have been "Sweetness", but he delivered as many hits as he took and was ridiculously strong.
Yes it was. As a drummer in high school during a competition at Soldier Field in the early 80's, we would throw our drumsticks on the 'turf' before the competition, and they would bounce 5-6ft high. We would laugh and do it over and over again and see who could catch it. Hard as a rock, and I know it would hurt to be tackled on it. Also, the turf was bowed towards the sidelines. The center of the field was at least 1-2 ft higher than the sidelines. I was literally stunned by that fact. No wonder you see quarterbacks overthrow receivers on the sidelines.
@@rte4634 That's like Wrigley field up until renovations with the crowning in the center of the infield. The right side of the infield had a legit slope into 3rd base which could affect a game.
White on White combo by far the best uniform combo ever for the bears... Bring it back next year 4 games min.
All I know is Walter never ran out of bounds on purpose. Not like today’s players! Thanks from.St. Paul Minnesota.
Well, he did when it was appropriate, such as when time was running out and he had to stop the clock so that they could run another play.
His parents had to be proud! Thank you sweetness
I used to love watching Walter run, even on plays not on the highlight reels he would always make the tackler pay for it. Sometimes he'd do that high kick his trademark so fun to watch. Never excessive celebration a class act all around.
Awesome! Great memories!
As a child Walter was truly an inspiration and in many ways a father figure. What an amazing RB and man. Always with me Walter Payton!!!
Then statement at the end makes the legend of Walter Payton legendary
one of the best highlight videos i ever seen of payton and alot of runs i never seen before,well done. you should have included 1980 as i think that was paytons last year of "his prime" great video but thw slo mo does not do him justice it cant show how quick and fast he really was.
Thank you @mmeatheaddd. I appreciate the compliment!! I know what you mean. After I posted the vid, I thought the same thing. Walter's 1980 season was one of his best, and I should have included it. I may do an exclusive 1980 season. I watched most of his games ..as it happened, and I was awestruck at how quick and powerful he was.... As great as he was, I think he is underrated by the so-called "experts".
payton is the best back of all time the rest can argue over #2 :) i could go on with how bad the bears were and how little help he had until the mid 80's came around but im sure you know. but i will say this in his first 10 years emmitt smith had 22 pro bowl o line men payton had zero even barry sanders had a better o-line wr's and qbs then payton did over the same time.
yes please do more payton videos
check this out ua-cam.com/video/kRbXRQvZjcA/v-deo.html
@4:20 it shows a 75 yard payton run but in game speed night and day difference vs slow mo
there a ton of nlf half time highlights from back in the day could be good source if you need clips
@@rte4634 watch this video ua-cam.com/video/rmcQPMo8L3E/v-deo.html alot of real game speed clips shows how truly fast and quick payton was. this would be a great video to pull some highlights from for anyone wanting to make payton videos "hint hint" .
@@rte4634 I second the vote to have an exclusive 1980! You've done such an incredible job with this , I'm having trouble even grasping how you got access to all this footage. WOW!!!
Thanks @@judebarnes9209. I did post an '80-'87 tribute to Payton, but I will gladly look at posting an exclusive 1980 Payton Highlight reel. May take some time to find unique clips.
Steven Paoli, I remember seeing that Nobody Does it Better film that CBS did. If memory serves, they ran it after the last regular season game or after the playoff thrashing Dallas gave the Bears. I know I saw it but it seems like a favor dream. Thank you for confirming. Walter set the single-game record on my 10th birthday so you know who my favorite was (and is)!
Worth it just for the '70s soundtrack, with the brass section. Just need Jim Facenda's voice to make it complete.
Thanks for these highlights because NFL films and ESPN has shown the same clips of him for decades.
Great comment! I was tired of it too. I made it a mission of sorts to find new clips. Some of them are recycled in this video, but I was happy to find new ones to include. Of course, I found some great clips after I posted this one, but I will save that for another day.
@@rte4634
Thanks for the videos. I love Walter Payton and I enjoyed his whole career as a kid growing up on the southside of Chicago in the 70's. You did a great job. ESPN should hire you and the music was perfect. Thanks for not using hip hop music.
How this guy is not the greatest American Football player ever, I will never know.
My favorite move is after he would score a touchdown he would hand the ball off to someone else, many times one of his lineman, so they could spike it. He was a class act!
Class personified
Walter was and is my idol no one any better then sweetness rip mr Payton truly love ya
That's my guy David Lewis #57 for the Bucs @11:20 trying to tackle Walter. He passed in 2020. We talked about him playing against Walter a few times and he said Walter was the toughest rb he ever saw. I met him when I moved from Chicago to Tampa several years ago.
Thanks for the comment. RIP David Lewis. I appreciate the context from a player who played against the great WP.
So fun to watch. The elusiveness, the crazy footwork, the stiff arms, the toughness. Then there was the person. Humble, and the way he would knock guys down doing his job, or just shed them, but give them a pat or help them up after the play.
Never seen half these highlights before, fantastic
Thanks. They are not his greatest runs, but I focused on those not frequently posted.. or hard to find. That was my goal with this post. Still have some in my archives for a later date.
Sweetness ran with the grace of a wild cat.
Remember he used to punish the defense, ramming straight through the line. He even said he enjoyed trying to hit them as hard as possible. I think he was the toughest rb of all time. And that scissor kick thing he'd do on his runs. 100% original
the greatest football player I've ever seen, I remember these years and the bears stunk they had nobody
thought i had seen every single one of his hilite runs...this is awesome.
Thanks! Wasn't easy finding some of these clips for the timeframe that I was looking for ('75 - '79), but they are out there....
i know you prefer his early yrs but could you possibly do a "later years" from '80 to '87 too....thanks.
I will do a little research first. I don't want to post the same old clips that are out there already, but we will see. Thanks for the suggestion.
Love the way Walter Peyton used his blockers... The best that I ever seen at that position.
Under rated statement. The he used his block was better than most I ever seen.
For me the run at 13:25 of this video is my favorite Payton run. He takes the toss left, strides through a tiny sliver of a hole, gets up to full speed very quickly, absolutely plows through a defensive back, and from that point on is attacked from all sides by three or four Viking defenders . . . and, completely on his own, scratches, scrapes, and claws his way INTO THE END ZONE for the score. Incredible.
My favorite run. You have a good eye. His determination is second to none to get in the end zone. What a run!
@@rte4634 I'm from Chicago and reached my formative years in the early 80s, so I've only gotten to see the original broadcast footage of that run once. It's worth seeing because it's not slowed down like the NFL Films footage is . . . you get to see his speed, strength, acceleration, quickness, toughness, and heart all in that one run. That run encapsulates Payton as a runner better than any other, and he had many others.
He sure gave the fans a lot to cheer about, even when there was nothing else.
Thanks
Fun facts: Walter Payton's signature shoe was the Kangaroos (Roos). How many people remember that? He was also on a episode of Soul Train in the 1970's.
djbhe shoes for your feet,pockets for your stuff!
Yeah and he'd knock you out with one of his straight arms too. Lol
I've seen excerpts from his Soul Train appearance in "Walter Payton: A Football Life" here on YT. Be aware if you watch it, the last 15 minutes are tear jerkers.
He missed one game in 10 seasons. For years he played behind a mediocre line at best with an almost zero passing offense. So yes, he was the best by far.
Just rewind this and watch his linemen.
All of them busted a gut for him.
How many times do you see #65 in the end zone with Payton- and Walter hands HIM the ball.
And the same with the other big guys. You can tell he loved them and respected them for giving their hearts and bodies to block and clear a path for SWEETNESS.
That’s a sportsman.
Too bad the NFL is dead now.
It went to garbage. That’s so sad.
Walter would be beside himself to see what the sport has turned into today.
RIP 34
Walter, had better field vision than any h back I have seen, andthis video showed it, and you are right his line never quit on him and he never gave up during the play even in the worst situations. The G.O.A.T.