We are 34 Days Away From College Football Kickoff. Another Sunday Funday! Today, we have Sweetness himself, Walter Payton and Thurman Thomas. Be sure to check back tomorrow for #33 in our countdown to kickoff. Enjoy!
Walter Payton (34) Days Away From College Football Kickoff
Sweetness
Walter Payton became a star at Jackson State. He joined the starting lineup as a freshman in 1971. Nicknamed “Sweetness,” he was a complete football player who could run, block, tackle, pass, catch, and kick.
During his freshman year, Payton rushed for 614 yards and passed for 65 yards. He scored 7 touchdowns, kicked 3 field goals, and made 13 extra points. As a sophomore in 1972, Payton had his best scoring game against Lane College, running for 7 touchdowns and two 2-point conversions.
In 1973 and 1974, Payton was named to every All-American team for college division or Division 1-AA. Both years, he was also voted Black College Player of the Year.
Payton ended his career at Jackson State with 464 points and 3,563 rushing yards. His point total set a modern college football record. Over four years, Payton averaged 6.1 yards per carry.
In the 1975 draft, Payton was chosen in the first round by the Chicago Bears. He played 13 seasons with the Bears and set a professional rushing record with 16,726 yards. Payton also set a single-game rushing record with 275 yards. In 1984, he broke Jim Brown’s career rushing record of 12,312 yards. The Bears won Super Bowl XX in 1986 by defeating the Patriots, and many people consider that team one of the best in football history.
In 1987, Payton was honored with the creation of the Walter Payton Award, which is given each year to the top player in 1-AA football.
In 1999, doctors discovered that Payton had a rare liver disease. He died on November 1, 1999, at age 46. After Payton’s death, he was honored at several events. On November 5, 1,200 people attended his funeral at his church. On November 6, a ceremony at Soldier Field in Chicago drew about 20,000 fans. Speakers included Rev. Jesse Jackson and former teammates. Film highlights of Payton’s career played on the scoreboard, and a choir sang tributes. On November 8, there was a ceremony at his alma mater, Jackson State University.
Another Great #34, Thurman Thomas, Oklahoma State
Thurman Thomas was named a First Team All-America pick twice, in 1985 and 1987, and finished his career at Oklahoma State with 4,847 rushing yards and 43 touchdowns. These achievements put Thomas in both the school and conference record books. Thomas led the Big Eight in rushing and scoring in 1985 and 1987, earning Offensive Player of the Year honors both times. Thomas’s career rushing total is the second highest in conference history, just behind Mike Rozier of Nebraska.
Originally from Missouri City, Texas, Thomas was named MVP of the 1984 Gator Bowl and the 1987 Sun Bowl, and he ran for over 100 yards in 21 games at OSU.
The Buffalo Bills picked him in the second round of the 1988 NFL Draft. He went on to play 13 seasons in the NFL, including four Super Bowl appearances with the Bills.
Thomas was named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1990s and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame last year. He now lives in East Aurora, New York, where he runs Thurman Thomas Sports, a training center that helps athletes of all ages and skill levels reach their full potential.
Editor’s Note: The countdown to college football kickoff has been a series on the Last Word on College Football social media platforms for the past 9 years. They consisted of a photo and a small blurb for each player, with the jersey corresponding to the number of days until kickoff. The rank of the players is sourced from articles by Bleacher Report, Fox Sports, and The Athletic. There are also some favorite players of the Last Word on College Football writers. Their bios are sourced from multiple online sources, including but not limited to the College Football Hall of Fame, their Heisman profiles, and school websites.
Main Photo: Jackson State Athletics
