June 11, 2025
His older brother, Eddie, accepted the diploma on the late NFL nice’s behalf.
NFL legend Walter Payton, who handed away in 1999, was awarded a Golden Diploma from his alma mater, Jackson State College, throughout the college’s Could 3 graduation ceremonies.
In keeping with HBCU Gameday, the college honored Payton because it celebrated the fiftieth reunion of the Class of 1975.
He acquired the diploma throughout a particular tribute for the “Golden Class”—a gaggle of 97 alumni who returned to JSU to mark the milestone. “I couldn’t consider something that I might relatively have completed than be right here in Walter’s place,” mentioned Eddie Payton, who acquired the Golden Diploma on his brother’s behalf.
“I do know if he would have been right here, he would have been entrance and heart with a giant smile on his face.”
Payton starred for the Chicago Bears from 1975 to 1987 after graduating from Jackson State. At Jackson State, Payton, as a operating again, was voted Black School Participant of the 12 months in 1973 and 1974. Throughout his profession at JSU, Payton averaged an astounding 6.1 yards per carry, collected 3,563 dashing yards, and scored 464 factors, in keeping with the Black School Soccer Corridor of Fame web page.
Within the NFL, Payton rushed for a single-game document 275 yards in 1977, the season he gained the league’s Most Priceless Participant award. Earlier than retiring, he gained an elusive Tremendous Bowl ring when the 1985 Bears had been probably the greatest soccer groups. When he retired in 1987, Payton completed with 16,726 yards, then probably the most in NFL historical past. He was chosen for 9 Professional Bowls and was a five-time All-Professional.
Payton was inducted into the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame in 1993 and made the School Soccer Corridor of Fame in 1996. He was posthumously inducted into the Black School Soccer Corridor of Fame in 2010.
On November 1, 1999, Payton died of bile duct most cancers. He was 46.
After his loss of life, the NFL added Payton’s identify to its NFL Man of the 12 months Award, which is awarded to the soccer participant who’s dedicated to philanthropy and group influence. Payton gained the award in 1977.
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