Walter Payton, one of the youngest players at 23, was voted the most valuable player in the NFL in 1977. Chicago Bear running back set a remarkable history full of records in the NFL book.
The fourth NFL player selected in the NFL draft was Payton, who always made records and set a legacy after him. Throughout his career, he played 190 games and has 16,726 yards and 110 touchdowns. But it sounds weird that Payton missed only one game.
Why did Walter Payton Miss One Game?
In the rookie season, he missed one game because of his fractured ankle. Payton wants to play, but his coach refuses because he does not want to risk his health.
As Payton said,
“It’s not about money. It is not about statistics. It’s about the romance kindle by playing the game the way it was suppose to be play.”
How Many Games Did Walter Payton Miss Due to Injury?
Walter Payton was known for his incredible durability throughout his career. He only missed one game due to injury in his 13-year career with the Chicago Bears.
This happened during his rookie year when he suffered a sprained ankle and was held out of a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Walter Payton Achivements:
- Played 77 games with more than 100 yards
- 275 rushing yards against Minnesota in 1977 in one game
- Payton achieved 750 points on 120 touchdowns
- NFC rushing title for five consecutive years from 1976 to 1980
- Led Chicago Bears to the Super Bowl title in 1985
- Play seven times in the Pro Bowl and four times in All- -Pro
- NFL offensive player in 1977
- Rushed more than1000 yards in 10 of his 13 seasons
- On November 13, 1977, Payton rushed 1852 yards being the third-best in the history
- UPI athlete of the year in 1977
- In 1999 NFL Man of the Year Award is renamed to Walter Payton Man of the Year Award to continue the legacy of sweetness (Walter Payton)
Walter Payton Statistics:
| Year | Team | G | Att | Yds | Avg | TD | Rec | Yads | Avg | TD |
| 1975 | Chicago | 13 | 196 | 679 | 3.5 | 7 | 33 | 2113 | 6.5 | 0 |
| 1976 | Chicago | 14 | 311 | 1390 | 4.5 | 13 | 15 | 149 | 9.9 | 0 |
| 1977 | Chicago | 14 | 339 | 1852 | 5.5 | 14 | 27 | 269 | 10.0 | 2 |
| 1978 | Chicago | 16 | 333 | 1395 | 4.2 | 11 | 50 | 480 | 9.6 | 0 |
| 1979 | Chicago | 16 | 369 | 1610 | 4.4 | 14 | 31 | 313 | 10.1 | 2 |
| 1980 | Chicago | 16 | 317 | 1460 | 4.6 | 6 | 46 | 367 | 8.0 | 1 |
| 1981 | Chicago | 16 | 339 | 1222 | 3.6 | 6 | 41 | 379 | 9.2 | 2 |
| 1982 | Chicago | 9 | 148 | 596 | 4.0 | 1 | 32 | 311 | 9.7 | 0 |
| 1983 | Chicago | 16 | 314 | 1421 | 4.5 | 6 | 53 | 607 | 11.5 | 2 |
| 1984 | Chicago | 16 | 381 | 1684 | 4.4 | 11 | 45 | 368 | 8.2 | 0 |
| 1985 | Chicago | 16 | 324 | 1551 | 4.8 | 9 | 49 | 483 | 9.9 | 2 |
| 1986 | Chicago | 16 | 321 | 1333 | 4.2 | 8 | 37 | 382 | 10.3 | 3 |
| 1987 | Chicago | 12 | 146 | 533 | 3.7 | 4 | 33 | 217 | 6.6 | 1 |
| Total | —— | 119 | 3838 | 16,726 | 4.4 | 110 | 492 | 4538 | 9.2 | 15 |