Eulogy

By Jim Brown

WALTER PAYTON was a warrior in the truest, fullest sense of the word. As football players go, he was not big--except for his heart. Walter used every proficiency and skill he possessed, on every down, to produce the spinning, rhythmic, graceful symmetry that made Payton Payton. On the field, he was "the complete package." He had an uncanny ability to perform when it was crucial. He was the only "pure" back, who caught passes, blocked and brought to bear whatever skills were necessary to achieve the goal.

Walter Payton's heart was great and strong. It was strong in love and concern for those not as fortunate as he was. He accompanied me on several visits to a New Jersey prison, to give some of his time and wisdom to the inmates there. He extended himself to the Amer-I-Can vision of "wounded healers" reaching out to our communities. His belief in God and his fellowmen was always evident. Conscious of his humanity and the social conditions that confronted him, he manifested an unimpeachable dignity and racial integrity. Walter Payton, the human being, transcended race, gender, religion and status.

Walter Payton was a warrior. And like all true warriors, he really needs no prizes, no awards, no cheering of the throng, no statues to his deeds. His life and how he lived it will be the monument that endures.

--Jim Brown, Football Hall of Famer