What Number Was Walter Payton? (His Jersey Number)

The pride of Chicago, the legendary running back of the Bears, Walter Payton, is famous for a lot of things, and one of these is his jersey number. Let’s first answer what number was Walter Payton while he played for the Bears. 

Walter Payton is famous for his jersey number 34. He played his entire career with this jersey number. However, this wasn’t originally the number he was assigned when he was drafted. Eventually, he got the number 34 before his first rookie season game. 

In this article, we will discuss what number Walter Payton was initially given, how his famous number 34 was significant in his career, and how it is remembered and honoured today.

The Change in Jersey Numbers

To clarify, Walter Payton was drafted with number 21 when he joined the Bears. It is quite unfathomable today that he could have been the legendary Sweetness 21 instead of Sweetness 34. 

Did you know Payton was not the first player in the Chicago Bears who had a change of numbers? Here are a few other players in the Bears whose numbers were changed either mid-career or after they were drafted and before they played their first match for the team:

• Doug Plank: He was initially given the number 25, but the Bears decided to trade this to someone else. So eventually, Plank gave it up and took the number 46, and we thank him for it, as the 46 Defence sure sounds more intimidating than the 25 Defence.
• Lance Briggs—Upon being drafted, he joined with the number 91. Afterwards, when another player was cut from the team, he switched to the number 55, which was available. Briggs 55 is way better, anyway.
• Mike Ditka—Ditka wanted the number 89 when he joined. Unfortunately, at the time it was taken, Ditka took 82 for the time being. Once that player changed teams, Mike Ditka became the infamous 89.
• Jim Flanigan – Flanigan started with the number 68, which is unusual as it is a number usually given to offensive players, while Jim was a defensive lineman in the Bears. Later, he ended up with the mighty number 99. Fans disagreed with this decision as that number should have ended with the Bears history legend Don Hampton after he retired.

Significance of the number 34 for Walter Payton

As with all sports, a player’s jersey number is forever remembered. Whether it is the number 9 for Ronaldo Nazario or the number 23 for Michael Jordan, the number is a mark of fame, honour, and glory for these legendary athletes. 

The same goes for Walter Payton and the number 34. He had this number throughout his career, and he often signed his merchandise, like his shoes, with this number and his nickname, Sweetness. The number became such an essential part of Payton’s identity that it was recognized by even those who didn’t watch football. 

The number 34 also became Chicago’s identity, especially after that first Super Bowl Payton brought home for his hometown. A painting on the Metra, “#34 Sweetness,” has been a regular sight for the people of the city using the subway service.

His family knew how connected he was to the number and what it meant to him. His son Jarret Payton, who plays college football, wore the number 34 to honour his father’s legacy. He also got married on March 4 3/4 on purpose to pay tribute to his father.

It was said that “#34 did it all before 34.”

He achieved most of his accomplishments, broke most records, and won most awards before he turned 34. Payton was truly one of a kind in the world of football, and he is still the Greatest of All Time.

Tribute to #34

As we all Payton fans know, his shoes, Sweetness of the KangaROOS brand, have been one of the most iconic merch of the ’80s era. On February 1, 2020, before Super Bowl 54, Kangaroos released their latest shoes, the ROOS Ultimate Memory of 34. 

These shoes broke the internet and brought back millions of Payton fans across the world to remember and pay homage to the Bears legend. This tribute to the unforgettable Walter Payton was celebrated across nations as the shoes sold out within months of being released. 

They fashioned an iconic orange base with red and green accents. The number 3 was engraved on the left shoe, and the number 4 on the right shoe was engraved on the back end of the shoe. This was indeed the ultimate way to honour the memory of a lost veteran player.

The shoes, to this day, are mighty expensive, going on sale for over 400 dollars a pair; it truly tells how much the 34 shoes are one of a kind, much like the man who wore #34.

Number 34 NFL Hall of Famers

Apart from Payton, there have been quite a few Hall of Famers in football history who are remembered to this day among the greatest players ever. Let’s discuss a few of them here:

Earl Campbell: 

Earl Campbell, nicknamed “the Tyler Rose” for his hometown in Texas, was a bruising running back who carved his name into NFL history. A college standout at the University of Texas, he won the Heisman Trophy in 1977. Drafted first overall by the Houston Oilers, Campbell wasted no time making an impact. He became the league’s rushing champion in his rookie year and earned the NFL MVP award in 1979. Feared for his punishing running style, Campbell could break tackles and rumble for long gains. Though his career was shortened by injuries, he left his mark on the game, rushing for over 9,000 yards and earning a place in both the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame.

Joe Perry: 

Joe Perry, nicknamed “the Jet” for his blazing speed, wasn’t as widely known as Walter Payton or Earl Campbell, but his story adds another layer to the history of the number 34. A standout at a smaller school, Compton Junior College, Perry put up eye-popping numbers before his college career was interrupted by military service. He continued to impress while playing for the Alameda Naval Training Station team, catching the eye of the San Francisco 49ers. Perry enjoyed a successful career with the 49ers, showcasing his speed and agility. Though his number 34 jersey isn’t as widely celebrated as others, his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1969 cements his place among the NFL’s greats who donned the number.

Franco Harris: 

Franco Harris, another legend associated with number 34, carved a unique path in NFL history. A powerful fullback at Penn State, Harris became a key piece of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ dynasty in the 1970s. Drafted by the Steelers in 1972, Harris’ impact was immediate. He’s best known for the “Immaculate Reception,” a controversial play in the 1972 playoffs where his shoestring grab of a deflected pass became a turning point victory for the Steelers. Throughout his 13-year career, Harris racked up impressive stats, rushing for over 12,000 yards and 91 touchdowns. He also holds the record for most postseason rushing yards by a running back. Beyond his on-field achievements, Harris’ longevity and consistent production solidified his place as a Steelers icon.

Conclusion

Walter Payton played for the Chicago Bears his entire career in the number 34 jersey. What number Walter Payton was drafted with is a different story, though. He joined with the number 21 but was allowed to switch to 34 before his first game. 

The number 34 was significant to Payton; most of his career achievements were completed by the age of 34 while wearing the number 34.

Even today, he is remembered as #34 Sweetness, and there are many, many tributes paid to the legend and his jersey number. Fans hang and wear his signed jerseys, and millions love his signed shoes. 

His latest homage, the Ultimate Memory of 34 shoes by his brand KangaROOS, is loved by all. This truly makes his number a significant part of his career, his identity, and his memories today. The number 34 will always remain in our hearts, as will the Greatest of All Time.

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