pro football player Jarrett Payton (son of the late walter payton) gives u a wide assortment of flavor from the heart with his album The Pre-Game... football is his life but rapping is his passion... check this masterpiece they call art...

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A former Alouettes running back with one of the most famous pedigrees in the sport could make a return to the Canadian Football League this season, The Gazette has learned.

Jarrett Payton, Montreal’s leading rusher in 2007, appears to have attracted the interest of at least two CFL teams, Winnipeg and Toronto. According to a source, the Blue Bombers are considering flying him in for a workout. The Argonauts, according to the source, also have expressed interest in looking at the son of legendary Chicago Bears running-back Walter Payton.

“I’m interested in playing for anyone who needs a running back,” Payton said, remaining vague. “But you look at two teams and I see the need. I have a couple of years left … good years.”

Payton was general manager Jim Popp’s prized signing in 2007, Popp’s only season coaching Montreal. Once the Als released Robert Edwards, Payton replaced him, gaining 852 yards in 13 games while scoring eight touchdowns. But the team had a poor 8-10 record under Popp.

Popp was replaced as head coach last season by Marc Trestman. Payton, who missed most of training camp with an ankle injury, was released in early July.

“People thought I was hurt, or that I’m still hurt. That’s not true,” said Payton, 28. “I’m ready to play.”

Although Payton said his agent has been in contact with both Winnipeg and Toronto, Texas-based Lance Riddle was reluctant to talk, other than admitting a “couple of teams” are interested. Neither Mike Kelly, the Bombers’ GM and head coach, or Argos GM Adam Rita returned messages.

The Bombers, scheduled to conduct two more free agent camps shortly, have Joe Smith and Fred Reid returning to the offensive backfield. Smith is more of a power back, much like the 6-foot, 218-pound Payton.

Payton could have more luck cracking Toronto’s roster, where five players are returning but only two, Jamal Robertson and Da’shawn Thomas, are imports. Also, the Argos’ new head coach, Bart Andrus, coached Payton in NFL Europe, at Amsterdam.

“I feel confident, but it’s not up to me. It’s up to somebody else to see if I’m ready,” Payton said. “I know I am. I’ve worked my butt off since I left Montreal, keeping myself ahead of the curve.

“All I want to do is play.”

Payton might still be playing for the Als had Popp remained head coach. But Trestman decided on the diminutive Avon Cobourne, who remained patient for two seasons waiting his opportunity. The 5-foot-8, 193-pound Cobourne, a slashing scat-back, didn’t disappoint, gaining 950 yards in only 12 games. Cobourne was third in the CFL in rushing. He undoubtedly would have challenged Calgary’s Joffrey Reynolds (1,310 yards) for the rushing crown had he remained healthy.

“New coaches come in. They have what they want. Maybe I didn’t fit into the puzzle,” Payton said. “They did well.”

Back home in Chicago, Payton started a line of clothing and shoes last year along with recently getting married. He said there’s also talk of producing a movie on his late father.

(montrealgazette.com)

March 7, 2009 (CHICAGO) (WLS) -- A very special wedding reception took place on Saturday night at Soldier Field.

Jarrett Payton, son of Bears great Walter Payton, got married on Wednesday in Florida.

On Saturday night, he and his bride Trisha celebrated with friends and family in Chicago.

The new Mr. and Mrs. Payton took to the floor for the first dance. Then Jarrett danced with his mother Connie and sister Brittney.

While it was a night to celebrate, it was also a time to remember the late Walter Payton and his time with the Bears.

"To be able to be here and to have this special night is something that is unbelievable and it's basically just an honor," said Jarrett Payton.

"I think its just having Walter's presence here. We know holding it here, he's with us," said Trisha Patyone.

The couple says they always knew they'd have their reception at Soldier Field.

(abclocal.go.com)

Congratulations to Jarrett Payton, son of Bears Hall of Famer Walter Payton, on his wedding Wednesday in Florida to Trisha George. The couple's reception will be Saturday at Soldier Field.



(chicagotribune.com)

Friend of the blog (suntimes.com) Jarrett Payton was in Tampa last week for the Super Bowl festivities, specifically to give out the NFL award that bears his father's name -- the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award. Per usual, Jarrett documented the occasion for his highly entertaining Peeze blog.

Jarrett was on the field for the game, and in his latest video blog post of his game-day experience, watch out for cameos by Antrel Rolle (Jarrett's former Miami teammate), Lynn Swann, John Elway, Roger Goodell and Edgerrin James among others:



Regarding the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, Payton told Sports Pros(e), "Giving the award is a wonderful feeling. Just knowing my dad is looking down on all this is great to know."

Check out Jarrett's interviews with award-winner Kurt Warner, finalist Brian Dawkins and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell:



(suntimes.com)

Walter Payton never looked so good in his own shoes. His son, Jarrett Payton, showcases the Kangaroo shoe line dedicated to the memory of sweetness. These limited edition shoes represent the style and old school flavor of #34. Don't forget to use the classic fix for your extra flair in this edition of Athlete TV.

During the Walter and Connie Payton Foundation event, Jarrett Payton, sang and stopped mid-performance to get down on one knee and propose to his girlfriend Patricia George onstage. She said yes!!! Apparently, Jarrett had been keeping this secret for two weeks! And he sure did do a good job — everyone in the club was completely surprised.

Among partygoers was star of the Chicago Fire, Cauhtemoc Blanco, who was drinking Grey Goose and mingling with a group of ladies all night. Now, this isn’t a surprise.

What a fun night! We wish Jarrett and Patricia the best of luck.




(thesebootsaremadeforwalking.com)

Although the Winnipeg Bombers have both Charles Roberts and Fred Reid at tailback, Taman had admitted offering a practice-roster contract to former Montreal Alouettes running back Jarrett Payton before Winnipeg’s win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats last week. Roberts responded with his best game of the current campaign against Hamilton.

(winnipegsun.com)

The Montreal Alouettes, of the CFL, have released RB Jarrett Payton.

Payton had a short stint in the NFL with the Titans, but couldn't live up to his father's (Walter) ability. He could try another shot at the NFL, but his playing career is likely over.

(fantasyfootball.com)

The son of former NFL legend Walter Payton ran for 141 yards and a touchdown in Montreal's 30-18 win over Calgary on Thursday night. The victory was the Alouettes' third straight since Payton was inserted into the starting lineup.

Payton missed Montreal's first four regular season games with an ankle injury. He returned to the lineup three weeks ago and helped the Alouettes sweep a home and home series with Toronto before Thursday's game.

In three games, Payton has rushed for 301 yards and scored two touchdowns and is averaging over six yards a carry.

(sportsnetwork.com)

(CP) - Football is finally fun again for Jarrett Payton.

Three years after leading the Miami Hurricanes in rushing, the son of Chicago Bears legend Walter Payton is back as a starting tailback, this time with the CFL's Montreal Alouettes.

"It really has put a jump in my step," Payton said of his role with the Alouettes. "I love playing the game of football and having an opportunity to just play again is wonderful.

"But I've said from the beginning that I wanted to play where I felt I belonged and where I felt wanted and this is a place where I really feel wanted and connected to the guys. In the NFL sometimes, guys get blindsided by other things. Here's it's just a little bit different. Guys here are really loving the game of football and that's the reason I play the game."

MONTREAL -- As far as Jarrett Payton is concerned, it is fitting the Montreal Alouettes play home games at Percival Molson Stadium, near the top of Mount Royal.

The Payton family has always felt at home on a mountaintop, whether it was National Football League record books or at the precipice of a hill in the Mississippi delta, where Jarrett's late father, Walter, pioneered off-season conditioning en route to missing just one game in a glorious 13-year career.

When he retired following the 1987 season, Walter Payton, who died in 1999 of a rare liver disease, was the NFL's all-time leading rusher. He was also one of the league's best citizens, and that legacy lives on each year at the Super Bowl when the Payton family presents the NFL's man-of-the-year award, which is named after the legendary Chicago Bear.

Call it a sweet debut for Jarrett Payton.

The son of late NFL great Walter (Sweetness) Payton rushed for a team-high 63 yards in his first CFL game to help the visiting Montreal Alouettes to a 26-13 win over the Toronto Argonauts on Thursday night.

Payton, who missed the first four games of the season after turning an ankle during Montreal's first training-camp scrimmage, made three runs of nine yards or more, including an 18-yard scamper in the first quarter. He was forced out of the game for a stretch in the second half due to leg cramps.

"He ran hard but unfortunately was unable to play four quarters because he cramped up," said Alouettes coach Jim Popp. "But I thought he played well."

Away from the pressures of home and facing a defence that is vulnerable against the run. Is there a better setting for Jarrett Payton to make his Canadian Football League debut?

Not according to Montreal Alouettes coach Jim Popp, who will unleash the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Walter Payton against the rival Argonauts on Thursday night in Toronto.

The younger Payton, sidelined since turning his ankle during Montreal's first training-camp scrimmage, should get the bulk of work in the Alouettes' backfield since a healthy Robert Edwards didn't make the trip.

"I've been waiting for this a long time … just to have the opportunity," the six-foot-two, 217-pound running back told the Gazette in Montreal on Wednesday. "Now that it's here, it's like a dream."

Walter Payton was a great player on the field and a good person off the field, and that has engendered a great deal of fan support for his son, Jarrett Payton.

Jarrett has played running back for the Miami Hurricanes and the Amsterdam Admirals and the Tennessee Titans, but he doesn't have anywhere near the talent of his father, and he's never been more than a role player. He couldn't find an NFL team to offer him a spot at its training camp this year.

But in a strange way, there's something especially admirable about Jarrett Payton's efforts to make it in football. Payton has signed with the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League, and he says he's going to keep pursuing his lifelong ambition of playing pro football. Jarrett Payton knows he'll always be defined as his father's son in the eyes of most fans, and he knows he's never going to match his father's accomplishments. But he continues to play because he loves the game, and wherever he goes, he'll be a fan favorite.

(aolsportsblog.com)

MONTREAL -- It's final now/

The decision's made/

So I pack up and dip in the Escalade/ Cause I belong now/

NFL passed me/

You ask me/

I'm so happy now/

I hope that my Dad sees/

The workin' finally paid off.

-- First lines of the rap song "I Belong," by Jarrett Payton

The telephone rang in Chicago and he didn't answer. He didn't recognize the number. The phone rang again and still he hesitated. The area code was foreign and he had no idea who was calling. The phone rang a third time and curiosity got the better of him. Jarrett Payton said hello.

MONTREAL (CP) - Signing NFL legend Walter Payton's son was almost as big for Montreal Alouettes coach and general manager Jim Popp as it was for 26-year-old Jarrett Payton.

A Walter Payton poster adorns Popp's office wall and there are no fewer than six action figures of the former Chicago Bears running back in his collection of momentos. Now he looks forward to having Payton's six-foot, 225-pound son carry the ball in the Canadian Football League next season.

"Walter Payton was my favourite player," Popp said Thursday as Jarrett was introduced to the Montreal media after signing for one year plus an option.

Payton held up jersey No. 33 - his Hall of Famer father made No. 34 famous in Chicago - and said he was grateful for the chance "to show you my talent and help bring the Grey Cup back to Montreal."

MONTREAL (CP) - The son of legendary running back Walter Payton has signed with the Montreal Alouettes.
Jarrett Payton agreed to a one-year deal with Montreal that includes an option.

Like his father, the 26-year-old Payton is a running back and has spent the past three years with the NFL's Tennessee Titans. He appeared in 13 games.

Payton also spent time in NFL Europe with Amsterdam, where he won a championship in 2005 while being named a league all-star.

Walter Payton dominated the NFL with the Chicago Bears between 1975 and 1987. He had 3,838 carries for 16,726 yards and 110 touchdowns.

(http://www.tsn.ca)

Jarrett Payton is used to fans of his father telling him so many reasons why his late father, Walter Payton, was great.

What surprised him Thursday, Jarrett Payton said, was getting a bit choked up when he saw video footage of himself at 12-years-old, helping induct his father, a Chicago Bears great, into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Jarrett accepted the PricewaterhouseCoopers Doak Walker Legends Award on Thursday in honor of his father.

Jarrett Payton isn't through with his own football days. Payton said he's finalizing details to play with the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football
League. The Tennessee Titans released him after the final preseason game in 2006.

Payton played collegiately at Miami and was an undrafted free agent with the Titans in 2005.

(dallasnews.com)

AURORA -- More than two decades ago, 5-year-old Jarrett Payton watched his father and the 1985 Bears win a Super Bowl in New Orleans.

With a 15-1 record, Bears Hall of Famer Walter Payton and his teammates steamrolled over the New England Patriots 46-10 on Jan. 26, 1986. And da 1985 Bears went down in history with their coach Mike Ditka.

Today, Jarrett can only remember the parties and celebrating of that landmark event in Chicago sports lore.

The Titans waived Jarrett Payton.
(sarasotaherladtribune.com)