Jarrett Payton on his dad, Walter: 'He would be so proud'

Being the son of Walter Payton can be a blessing and a curse.

Expectations always have been over the top for Jarrett Payton, who signed a contract June 6 with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League.

Before heading into a team meeting recently, Jarrett reflected on what his father's reaction might have been if he were alive this Father's Day.

"I think he would be so proud of me," Payton, 28, said. "He always taught me that you never give up and you go until you can't go anymore. I had this opportunity and I just said: 'You know what, I am going to try this one more time. If it doesn't work out, it doesn't. But I am going to give my all and leave everything out on the field.' "

Walter Payton died 10 years ago at the age of 45. At the time he was the NFL's all-time leading rusher.

"In some ways [the name Payton] helps, but as far as being a football player, it has hindered Jarrett," said his mother, Connie Payton-Trotter. "He has not been allowed to be just 'Jarrett Payton the football player,' instead of 'Jarrett Payton, Walter Payton's son.'

"He's not his dad and there never will be another Walter Payton with those kind of gifts and abilities. ... Jarrett has that same type of determination and heart. He is a team player who will give his all to the sport because it is something he really wants to do."

Jarrett, who ran for a touchdown and caught a pass in Toronto's 37-24 loss to Montreal in Wednesday night's season opener, is reunited with Argonauts coach Bart Andrus, for whom he played in 2005 with the NFL Europe's Amsterdam Admirals. Jarrett is a former University of Miami running back who was named MVP of the Orange Bowl his senior season. He played briefly with the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent before playing for the CFL's Montreal Alouettes in 2007. He led that team in rushing yards and touchdowns.

"It's a little bigger field in the CFL and the game is fast. To be a running back, you have to be a complete player in this league, not just a straight-ahead runner," the 6-foot-1-inch, 225-pound Payton said. "You have to be able to pass-block and catch passes. ... My dad would have been awesome in this league."

Jarrett Payton has learned to be patient during his football career.

He saved his best for last in college -- a 131-yard rushing effort in the Orange Bowl, as a redshirt senior.

"I tried to make the most of my opportunity. It was just one of those things where I had to wait," he said. "You never know what is going to happen, so you have to be ready when your opportunity is in front of you."

Immediately following his playing career at Miami, Payton had no career plans if football did not work out.

"As a mom, I don't want to hear that," his mother said when he left Miami.

Jarrett had excelled in soccer (his freshman and sophomore years) and then football at St. Viator High School, where he played quarterback, tailback and receiver. He passed for 1,088 yards and rushed for another 1,345 yards as a senior. He was listed as the 58th most-highly touted prep football prospect by the Sporting News. He had not played organized football until his junior year at St. Viator.

At the age of 12, Jarrett presented his father for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The two of them even appeared in a Kentucky Fried Chicken commercial together.

Jarrett always has had a huge support system. Many of Walter's former teammates such as Matt Suhey, Thomas Sanders and Otis Wilson, as well as his uncle, Eddie Payton, have kept tabs on him.

Off the field, Walter Payton was known for his love of music. He once appeared on "Soul Train" as a teenager.

Jarrett continues that tradition -- he now has ambitions as a rap artist and has performed around the Chicago area.

"I am a rapper, an athlete, an entrepreneur," Payton said. "Throughout my career as a football player, and after acquiring a shoe deal with Kangaroo, I spend most of my free time recording music. It's my true passion and it is also my first love. My music is a way for people to really get to know me. I give my heart in every song I make."

Jarrett and his sister, Brittney, also have been very active in the Walter & Connie Payton Foundation for the last 10 years, making speeches about the importance of education, as well as the benefits of organ donations.

On March 4 of this year, Jarrett and Trisha George were married. Virginia McCaskey, daughter of Bears founder George Halas, attended the wedding reception and pointed out the couple intentionally picked the third month of the year and the fourth day to coincide with Walter Payton's famous No. 34 uniform number with the Bears.

"Walter would be very, very proud of the man Jarrett is," Connie said. "Clearly, it hasn't been easy, and he has had a lot of reasons to give up [football]. Jarrett carries his Dad around with him all of the time and Walter is always close to Jarrett in everything that he does. ... He goes to schools to talk to students and motivate them. He is making a difference in young kids' lives."

"This has been the best year of my life," Jarrett Payton said. "Life is good. I'm happy. Dad would be proud."



(chicagotribune.com)