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Sweetness
Book by Payton, Walter
162 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1978
4 people are currently reading
37 people want to read
About the author
Walter Payton
7 books11 followersWalter Payton, affectionately known as "Sweetness," was one of the most iconic and admired athletes in American sports history. A Hall of Fame running back for the Chicago Bears, Payton was renowned for his unmatched combination of speed, power, grace, and tenacity, as well as for his humility and commitment to excellence both on and off the field.
Payton began his football journey at Jackson State University, a historically Black college, where he was a standout player and earned All-American honors. Though he did not play at a traditional football powerhouse, his dazzling performances quickly made him a top NFL prospect. He was selected fourth overall by the Chicago Bears in the 1975 NFL Draft and would go on to spend his entire 13-year career with the team, becoming its heart and soul.
In 1977, Payton had a breakout season, leading the league in rushing yards and being named the NFL's Most Valuable Player. That year he rushed for 275 yards in a single game, a then-record, despite playing with a 101-degree fever. It was this kind of toughness and relentless drive that defined his career. He was not only a dominant rusher but also an exceptional receiver and blocker. Over the course of his career, he accumulated 16,726 rushing yards, 110 rushing touchdowns, and more than 21,000 all-purpose yards—making him the NFL’s all-time leading rusher at the time of his retirement.
Payton’s greatest team achievement came in the 1985 season when he helped lead the Bears to a 15–1 regular season and a victory in Super Bowl XX. Although he did not score in the championship game, his leadership and contributions throughout the season were pivotal.
Off the field, Payton was equally influential. He was devoted to community work, particularly in advocating for underprivileged children and organ donation. The NFL Man of the Year Award, which he won in 1977, was renamed in his honor after his passing. Payton died in 1999 from a rare liver disease, but his legacy endures.
Walter Payton remains a symbol of determination, grace under pressure, and selfless service. His contributions to football and to humanity continue to inspire athletes and fans alike across generations.
Payton began his football journey at Jackson State University, a historically Black college, where he was a standout player and earned All-American honors. Though he did not play at a traditional football powerhouse, his dazzling performances quickly made him a top NFL prospect. He was selected fourth overall by the Chicago Bears in the 1975 NFL Draft and would go on to spend his entire 13-year career with the team, becoming its heart and soul.
In 1977, Payton had a breakout season, leading the league in rushing yards and being named the NFL's Most Valuable Player. That year he rushed for 275 yards in a single game, a then-record, despite playing with a 101-degree fever. It was this kind of toughness and relentless drive that defined his career. He was not only a dominant rusher but also an exceptional receiver and blocker. Over the course of his career, he accumulated 16,726 rushing yards, 110 rushing touchdowns, and more than 21,000 all-purpose yards—making him the NFL’s all-time leading rusher at the time of his retirement.
Payton’s greatest team achievement came in the 1985 season when he helped lead the Bears to a 15–1 regular season and a victory in Super Bowl XX. Although he did not score in the championship game, his leadership and contributions throughout the season were pivotal.
Off the field, Payton was equally influential. He was devoted to community work, particularly in advocating for underprivileged children and organ donation. The NFL Man of the Year Award, which he won in 1977, was renamed in his honor after his passing. Payton died in 1999 from a rare liver disease, but his legacy endures.
Walter Payton remains a symbol of determination, grace under pressure, and selfless service. His contributions to football and to humanity continue to inspire athletes and fans alike across generations.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
August 28, 2014
Certainly eye opening. Didn't know much about Payton and for good reason: He simply never put himself out there. Pretty telling about the psychology of the athlete pertaining to the team first/me first attitude that is pulled amid fans and media like salt water taffy.
But anyone that puts athletes or other leaders into some untouchable tier are fools.
But anyone that puts athletes or other leaders into some untouchable tier are fools.
March 11, 2019
I read this book because i was told that I would see his life. Maybe there are two versions out there. This book talked about his childhood, but nothing about his personal life other than that he married Connie. The book was nothing but statistics the entire book. Very disappointed.
November 9, 2014
If you actually read Jeff Pearlman’s review of the life and times of the Chicago Bears’ legendary Number 34, you will come away, I believe, very depressed. You will celebrate what a gifted athlete can accomplish and did accomplish between the goal posts. But, it’s Sweetness’ exploits off the field and out of uniform that left a sour taste in my mouth.
I was left with a whole series of “what ifs.” None of the questions relate to the running back’s prowess as an NFL star. What if Payton’s boyhood growing up could’ve been more “normal” with a stronger, more attentive father as a positive role model? What if he had somehow been taught and caught early in life fidelity within the marriage relationship? What if he never took a second look at any other woman than Connie Norwood? What if his behavioral disorders would’ve been dealt with earlier? What if he had received, accepted and followed strong, psychological counseling? What if his estranged wife and Payton mutually accepted and implemented legitimate marital counseling early on in their marriage when trouble first began? What if Payton didn’t become a slave to pain pills? What if the underlying cause of the medical issues that ultimately took his life were diagnosed and treated much sooner, when it was still possible to reverse their course? What if?
By his own count, Pearlman interviewed 678 people in an effort to find out who the real Walter Payton was. The author lists at least nine other previously published attempts to unmask the Sweetness mystery. Do we need this tenth Payton biography? An apparent Jekyll and Hyde in life, I’m not sure even Payton himself knew who he really was. Perhaps Pearlman summed it up best: “For most of the athletes who wear a uniform of some sort, legacy simply does not exist. You’re a rookie. Then you’re a veteran. Then you retire. Then you vanish. Poof! Gone, as if your career never really existed to begin with.” Sad. Very sad. And depressing.
I was left with a whole series of “what ifs.” None of the questions relate to the running back’s prowess as an NFL star. What if Payton’s boyhood growing up could’ve been more “normal” with a stronger, more attentive father as a positive role model? What if he had somehow been taught and caught early in life fidelity within the marriage relationship? What if he never took a second look at any other woman than Connie Norwood? What if his behavioral disorders would’ve been dealt with earlier? What if he had received, accepted and followed strong, psychological counseling? What if his estranged wife and Payton mutually accepted and implemented legitimate marital counseling early on in their marriage when trouble first began? What if Payton didn’t become a slave to pain pills? What if the underlying cause of the medical issues that ultimately took his life were diagnosed and treated much sooner, when it was still possible to reverse their course? What if?
By his own count, Pearlman interviewed 678 people in an effort to find out who the real Walter Payton was. The author lists at least nine other previously published attempts to unmask the Sweetness mystery. Do we need this tenth Payton biography? An apparent Jekyll and Hyde in life, I’m not sure even Payton himself knew who he really was. Perhaps Pearlman summed it up best: “For most of the athletes who wear a uniform of some sort, legacy simply does not exist. You’re a rookie. Then you’re a veteran. Then you retire. Then you vanish. Poof! Gone, as if your career never really existed to begin with.” Sad. Very sad. And depressing.
October 9, 2014
Very well done. The author does a good job of showing us both sides of Payton's character without sounding overly judgemental. Even though I wasn't aware of Walter Payton during his lifetime, it's always a little disappointing to see the effect that fame and notoriety can have. It's a shame that we'll never know for sure if the depression he struggled with after his retirement was a combination of situation and personality, if he was showing early signs of what we now know is CTE, or a little of everything.
November 25, 2014
I grew up and lived in Chicago during the early part of Payton's career. Although I remained a Bear's fan after I moved away, I did not know much about Payton beyond his accomplishments on the field. So I found the book well written, very informative, and highly entertaining. It revealed the very human side of this iconic sports hero and his struggles with his personal life, fame, and his legacy.
March 16, 2015
This book is decent. I like the look at the contradictions in Walter ' s life, but some of the writing kills me. For example, on pg 319, "But just as the greatness of a classic movie cannot be captured in a sequel, an all-time legendary football team rarely lasts beyond one season." Lines like this are throughout the book and for whatever reason drive me insane.
February 15, 2013
Sweetness was not so sweet. Interesting stories. I skimmed a lot of the sports parts, but was amazed by his personal life. Definitely a book you can pick up and put down. I think I read 6 other books while I was reading it.
July 15, 2014
After reading some biographies, you have a strong sense of the spirit of the individual. I have no such feeling after reading about perhaps my only only sports hero. This book is informative but has no soul.
December 3, 2012
The thing walter payton did well in writing this story was he was very descriptive when telling his stories and memories such as the games he played in the NFL
February 22, 2013
This book. I can't even. P.S. There is a BIG difference between "you're" and "your"
April 15, 2014
Great book. Unfortunately this book completely destroyed by childhood hero. Guess he was human after all. Darn....:)
June 4, 2014
Last time I read a biography of one of my heroes. As a kid I didn't know of this, just what he and Holmes wanted me to know. The book is well done and I've no complaints about that.
September 3, 2014
Excellent Read! Very well written book.
January 26, 2015
Fascinating look into one of the most dynamic yet complicated sports figures in history. Walter Payton was/is one of my heroes, so I am biased.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews