The Hidden Team

During my teenage years I was enamored with sports and became an avid Chicago Bears fan.  I was also mesmerized by Walter Payton who became one of the greatest running backs of all time.  Walter Payton played for thirteen years in the NFL from 1975 to 1987 and at the time of his retirement he had amassed the following long list of NFL running back records.

Walter Payton ranked No. 1 in NFL history with:

3,838 Carries

16,726 rushing yards

110 rushing touchdowns

492 receptions by a running back

4,538 receiving yards by a running back

21,264 total yards from scrimmage

Walter Payton’s 275 rushing yards vs. the Minnesota Vikings on Nov. 20, 1977, set an NFL record that lasted for over 22 years!

Walter Payton started 178 consecutive games, including the postseason, from 1975 to 1987, the most ever by a running back.

In 1985, Walter Payton totaled 2,034 yards from scrimmage with 12 touchdowns, helping the Chicago Bears to a 15-1 regular-season record and a 46-10 win over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XX.  

While Walter Payton’s career and records were truly amazing, I was most impressed by his aggressive running style, work ethic, and his humility.  Even though he was one of the greatest running backs of his time he somehow managed to remain humble. 

For me, it begged the questions of how and why?  How did he remain so humble while he was surpassing other running backs records year after year?  Why wasn’t he boasting of his great achievements like other athletes such as Muhammad Ali who bragged on a regular basis with the following statements:

“I am the greatest, I said that before I even knew I was.”

“It’s hard to be humble when you’re as great as I am.”

“My only fault was that I didn’t realize how great I really am.”

The reality was that Walter Payton truly understood that he did not achieve his great success alone.  He never forgot those who helped him along the way and often attributed his success and achievements to his teammates, coaches and other individuals that influenced his life.

His humility was highlighted in his Hall of Fame speech where he stated the following:

“ There were high school coaches such as Charles Boston that took me under his wing and taught me the fundamentals of football. And when I went to college there was Robert Hill who took me there and he showed me what hard work and determination would do if you put forth the effort and you take a little time. They would stand up here and tell you that everything that they had on paper and everything they had in their hearts did not come from them solely alone, but it came from the number of people that have helped them and have met along the way such as I.”

-       Walter Payton

Walter Payton did not boast of his achievements because he understood that they were a culmination of his hard work and the influence and support from a team of individuals in his life that encouraged and taught him along the way.  In many ways, I viewed his expression of humility as one of his greatest attributes.

Walter Payton also had the unique opportunity of a forum to express his gratitude to all of those individuals that helped him throughout his life.  Imagine how all of those people felt when he attributed his success in part to them and thanked them.

All of us have had numerous people in our lives that have helped us to succeed and I believe one of the greatest gifts that we can give is expressing our gratitude and thank those individuals.

After all, no one succeeds alone!