Walter Payton's legacy lives on through son Jarrett

Some athletes are here for a season. Some last for an eternity.

The 10-year anniversary of Chicago Bears legend Walter Payton's death is Nov.1, but his legacy lives on through his 28-year-old son, Jarrett Payton.

Barring a hectic schedule with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League, Jarrett is expected to present Walter Payton Achievement Awards to Grambling State receiver Van Phillips and South Carolina State lineman ZacharyMiddleton on Saturday during the MEAC/SWAC Challenge Legends reception at Disney's Boardwalk. The MEAC/SWAC Challenge will pit South Carolina State against Grambling at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Citrus Bowl.

Walter Payton died from liver disease in 1999 and was respected as one of the greatest running backs ever. He was a nine-time Pro Bowl selection who amassed 16,726 yards, then an NFL record.

But he was equally respected for what he accomplished off the field. He gave down-to-earth accessibility with fans, championed organ donation and empowered his Chicago community even after his death through the Walter and Connie Payton Foundation.

I caught up with Jarrett for an interview about the life and legacy of his father.

All Access: What's the fondest memory of your dad?
Jarrett Payton: My dad just liked to have fun. We'd sit there when the [video] arcade was closed and play for five or six hours. It wasn't just in Chicago. If he was going to speak somewhere, we'd find an arcade and go as late as possible. He liked to play Terminator II. That's right up my alley because I love video games. I'm addicted.

AA: What is your father's legacy?
JP: His biggest legacy was me and my sister [Brittney]; that's what he always said. He's gone, and we are the kids who are trying to keep his memory alive. I was born into this so it's nothing I was ready for when I was born, but over time, it's become very special.

AA: Was it hard playing football as Walter Payton's son?
JP: I started playing football my junior year of high school and played soccer from [age] 3 to my sophomore year. The extra set of eyes were on me with soccer so I got used to it. My dad always preached to me about being myself and not worrying about trying to be like him.

AA: What did your dad think about your high school football career?
JP: I was 19 when he passed. He went to a lot of my games in high school. If he couldn't come to a game, he would be on the phone with somebody getting play by play. He was always there.

AA: What has your professional experience with football been like? Do you still have NFL aspirations?
JP: Since I came out [of the University of Miami] in 2004, I played in Tennessee for two years, got released, came up to Canada, played in Montreal for a year, asked for a release and now I'm here in Toronto. No NFL for me; I'm good right here. It just suits me.

AA: What are your thoughts on the Hurricanes?
JP: People always want to talk about Miami's not the same, but I think that's the nature of sports. Everybody kind of gets their turn to be at the top. Everything is going to be recycled. They're making the right steps to being back where we used to be.

AA: Speaking of Miami, who will win the Super Bowl?
JP: My Bears could be there. It's so hard right now to even think about it because preseason gets me so wound up. The Steelers, they look so good. They'll probably not skip a beat at all. There's so many. If I had to pick right now, I would say the Steelers.



(orlandosentinel.com)