Thread: 13 Years Ago Today the World Lost a Legend

I keep thinking "How can somebody so full of life - be gone now?"

It still breaks my heart.

I remember starting the multi mile walk to a friend's house after a crappy day at school. Someone in a pickup truck drove by with the 1957-1999 on it. I didn't know he was sick, and thought it really sucked. I always loved when they would interview him on the sidelines when wannstedt was ruining the franchise. It was the highlight of most Bears games.

I wish I could have seen him play.. R.I.P.

Originally Posted by JJ-30

I was lucky to have met him a couple of times and at one event he even came over to where I was and sat down talked with me awhile. The one thing I can say that I took away from talking with him is that he was the only man on earth that didn't think he was all that great. You couldn't ask for a more humble of a person.

Not only is he missed by his fans, his family, but just about anyone who ever met the man. He was taken away from us way too soon.

I wish more athletes today could understand the positive impact they can have on people - if they just stay humble "class acts" rather than jerks. Walter could have acted like a complete jerk, and been "all about the money" and screw the fans and media people. But he was always a class act with everyone.

I still play those old Bears games and it's amazing the things he did. He even ran with class. Pure Payton.

It may sound cheesy, but back in 2008, I got stuck with my first CQ, and that took place during a Bears-Packers MNF game. I only caught a few glimpses on the computer, but got to hear it on the radio. I read the whole Walter Payton autobiography (not to stir anything, but IDC about the other book, that is how I want to remember him), and right as I was finishing the book, the Bears won in overtime. Kind of a cool, one last time experience to link him with the Bears, for me.