What Was Walter Payton’s Nickname?

Legendary football player Walter Payton is remembered for his contributions to the football world, his community, and his people. 

He is remembered by his nickname, which soared globally at his career peak and even after his death. To end the suspense, let’s answer the question of what Walter Payton’s nickname was.

Walter Payton was called Sweetness by his teammates, coach, fans, and the rest of the world. 

In his early football days, he was called this nickname as a taunt, but soon, he turned it into his identity and even a brand of shoes from which he made a fortune.

That being said, let’s dive into some of his early nicknames, why he was called Sweetness, and the impact this nickname had on his career.

His nicknames before Sweetness

As a child, Payton was a very high-energy kid who participated in various activities in his community. He sang at the local church choir, was a part of the Boy Scouts, and volunteered in community halls. 

His sweet and kind personality went with him his whole life, bringing along new nicknames people would call him.

His mother gave him the nickname Bubba when he was little, and this went on through his family until he was a high schooler. 

In high school, as he became popular playing for the school’s football team, his fans started calling him Little Monk and Spiderman, which eventually became Sugarman.

As a pro player, he was nicknamed the Kansas Comet, a tribute to his playstyle and lightning speed on the field.

Why was he called Sweetness?

The origin of the nickname is well known. In his early years, people would make fun of him due to his sweet, soft voice. His football opponents in high school would say he wasn’t made to play such a manly game with a voice like that.

The taunt soon backfired when Payton made his presence on the field known. His offensive attack style and blazing speed made him a fan-favorite star in high school. 

In a match once, after scoring, Payton said to his opponent:

“Sweetness is your weakness”.

Afterwards, in his professional career as a running back for the Bears, there were many reasons why he was called Sweetness and why it became part of his identity:

• His Charisma: His public appearances, interviews, and confidence going into any new career phase, calling it remarkable, would be an understatement. When he was drafted for the Chicago Bears, he stated in an interview, “When I get through with Chicago, they’ll be loving me,” and it’s true; not only did the team, but the entire state the team represented, love the man dearly. 

• His Personality: Walter Payton was a loving and caring human being. He always wanted to give back to the community that helped him become the man he was. He was dedicated to bringing people together in all his games. He tried to make the most of his fame to bring about a change in this world. The Man of the Year award was named after him, and he was the first player to receive the honor.

• His Performance: As a running back, his speed in his sprints was remarkable. He would cover the entire pitch in such a blazing fury of a run people wouldn’t dare blink not to miss a single moment of it. 

Impact of the name on his career

Breaking the macho stereotype of football players, Payton used his famous nickname and turned it from a taunt to his strength, identity, and even a business. Here’s how:

The Sweetness Shoes:

As his popularity grew, so did the name Sweetness, to the point where the shoe company “Kangaroos” signed his line of athletic shoes called Sweetness. These were, as he stated in many interviews, “His work shoes.” 

He was the first NFL player in history to have his own shoe line and became the brand ambassador for the shoe company. Thus, “Sweetness” became a source of massive fortune for the already veteran footballer.

The latest addition to the Walter Payton Kangaroos shoes was the Ultimate Memory of 34 edition, launched in 2020 to pay tribute to the legend at the Super Bowl.

People’s love for Sweetness:

He carried the name to heights one can only dream of, from his foundation that helped thousands of children to his autographed memorabilia that fans cherished more than life. Payton was the true definition of Sweetness. 

His play style would leave fans in such awe they couldn’t stop chanting Sweetness. A reporter once remarked on his athletic capabilities, “he runs so sweet it gives me cavities just watching him.”

Conclusion of What Was Walter Payton’s Nickname

Walter Payton was called Sweetness throughout his football career and is remembered by this nickname even after his death.

He had several nicknames growing up, and his personality and kind-heartedness were the reason for most of them. His family called him Bubba, his school fans called him Spiderman and Little Monk, and his teammates called him Sugarman.

Eventually, the name Sweetness came, which was initially a taunt for his sweet, high-pitched voice. He turned this into his identity instead of letting it get to him. His amazing speed and offensive play style made Sweetness a craving for his fans.

He made Sweetness his official nickname as he entered the Pro leagues. In the 1980s, Payton got his shoe line from the brand Kangaroos, and you guessed it right—they were called Sweetness. 

His foundation, the Walter Payton Foundation, works for children in his community, and Sweetness is a name cherished there by the little angels they help.

Walter Payton broke the norms of football; he changed the whole world of the game and made his supposed weakness the most influential part of his identity. 

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