The Chicago Bears are celebrating their 100th year as a team and as part of the celebration, they have named Walter Payton the greatest player in franchise history. The team released its 100 best players and in such a storied franchise it's quite the honor for Payton and his family.
Rounding out the rest of the top five are former stars Dick Butkus, Bronko Nagurski, Sid Luckman, and Gale Sayers. The highest rated active player is Khalil Mack, who came in at number 60 which is impressive in itself since he has only played on the team for one year.
Payton was selected with the fourth overall pick in the 1975 draft and was with the Bears until he retired in 1987. Payton won one Super Bowl, won an MVP award, was named to the Pro Bowl nine times, and was also on the All-Pro team seven times. Payton finished his career with 16,726 rushing yards, 110 rushing touchdowns, and 15 receiving touchdowns. He also was a threat out of the backfield catching 492 passes for 4,538 yards.
Payton's son Jarrett tweeted out his thanks to the organization for the award and expressed how proud his dad would have been to be named the greatest Chicago Bear.
“I know what this honor would mean to him with all of the great names on this list,” Payton tweeted, “and I know he's smiling down on all of us right now. Thank you [Chicago Bears].”
I know what this honor would mean to him with all of the great names on this list and I know he’s smiling down on us all right now. Thank you @ChicagoBears. 🐻⬇️ #Bears pic.twitter.com/aAdbAKS9mE
— Jarrett Payton (@paytonsun) May 23, 2019
Payton passed away in 1999, but there is no doubt if he was still alive he would be very proud of the honor.
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