1976 Topps #148 Walter Payton SGC 8.5

Description

This is considered Payton’s rookie card because Topps left him out of the 1975 set even though he was the 4th overall pick in the 1975 NFL Draft.  Payton played collegiately at Jackson State from 1971-1974.  He would have 598 rushes for 3,600 yards and 63 touchdowns while at Jackson State.  He would be selected in 1975 by the Chicago Bears with the 4th overall pick in the NFL Draft.  Payton would win the AP NFL MVP and Offensive Player of the Year in 1977.  He would not win a Super Bowl title until 1985.  He would spend his entire career with the Chicago Bears.  He would go on to set numerous NFL records during his career due to his “Never Die Easy” mentality to running the ball.  He posted 3,838 rushing attempts with 16,726 rushing yards and 110 touchdowns (all three were NFL records at the time of his retirement), 492 receptions for 4,538 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns, giving him a total of 21,264 total scrimmage yards (also an NFL record at the time of his retirement).  He currently holds four NFL records.  He holds a plethora of franchise records for the Bears.  He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1993 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 1996.  He has an NFL and NCAA award named for him, the NFL’s Walter Payton Man of the Year Award is given to the player who has the biggest impact on the community where they play during the season and the NCAA award is given to the best offensive player from a Division 1 FCS team.  Payton’s son Jarrett also played football collegiately and professionally.  Payton was known by the nickname of “Sweetness”.