Payton’s contract was up again. General Manager Jerry Vainisi and Payton’s attorneys agreed on another three-year deal including an annuity that would pay him or his heirs $240,000 a year for 43 years, starting with his 30th birthday. There would be other considerations in the form of loans and incentive clauses and investments.
“The key to Walter’s contracts were never the dollar amounts,” Vainisi said.
He carried 381 times, the most of his career, on his way to breaking Jim Brown’s career record of 12,312 yards. He had nine 100-yard games and revealed his goal was “to go 3,000 yards beyond Jim Brown.”
His 1,684 yards represented his second-best total, and it was more out of necessity than design. A lacerated kidney ended McMahon’s season and the Bears were forced to use five different quarterbacks plus Payton, who lined up at quarterback for four plays against Green Bay.
Before playing the Saints on Oct. 7, Payton was 66 yards short of Brown’s record. If he broke it, the Bears planned a three-minute ceremony.
“Walter vetoed it,” Vainisi said.
“I’m not too excited about stopping the game for any length of time,” Payton said. “Once it’s over, just acknowledge it to the crowd and get on with the game.”
The record fell on a 6-yard toss on his second carry of the second half. Before taking the ball to the Bears’ sideline and handing it to running backs coach Johnny Roland, Payton ran to the Saints’ sideline and shook hands with New Orleans coach Bum Phillips.
Despite the increased emphasis on passing, football’s rushing record remains its most hallowed measuring stick, like baseball’s home run. So President Ronald Reagan was on the phone in the locker room.
“The check’s in the mail,” Payton joked.
Payton loved setting the record, but not as much as he loved the chase. His real goal always was one yard at a time, and he estimated he had added an extra 100 yards over the years just by sneaking the ball ahead a few inches. When a referee would move it back, he would ask: “How do you expect me to catch Jim Brown if you do that?”
In his speech after the game, Payton said: “The motivating drive for me has been the athletes who have tried but failed to reach achievements, and also the athletes who didn’t get the opportunity, like the Overstreets, the Delaneys, and the Brian Piccolos. What I did out there today is a reflection of those guys, because they made the sacrifices as well.”
Finks believed the emphasis on Payton’s yardage detracted from his essence as the total football player.
“For instance, there’s no better blocker in the NFL. None,” Finks said. “He flattens linebckers, he knocks down ends, he attacks nose guards. And the irony is he’s competing against a one-dimensional player. When Brown wasn’t carrying the ball, he rested.”
Said Ditka: “It’s possible nobody ever cut like Sayers. And maybe nobody ever ran like Brown or O.J. But without a doubt, Walter Payton is the most complete football player I’ve ever seen.”
The Bears finished 10-6 and won the NFC Central Division title. With Steve Fuller at quarterback and Payton throwing a touchdown pass, they beat the Redskins at Washington to get to the NFC title game in San Francisco. They lost, 23-0.
———-
October 7
Payton breaks Jim Brown’s career rushing record against New Orleans at Soldier Field. He carries 32 times for 154 yards and one touchdown.
1984
ATTEMPTS YARDS AVERAGE TD
381 1,684 4.4 11
