Walter Payton’s family, fans, and even teammates were all already aware of the fact that he had a liver disease called Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis. Still, he died due to bile duct cancer called Cholangiocarcinoma. It was shocking news for all his loved ones, too.
In this blog, we will explore details of what cancer Walter Payton had, how it impacted his life and the inspiring journey he left behind.
Walter Payton’s Life In A Nutshell:
Walter Jerry Payton was born on July 25, 1953. He was born in the home of Peter and Alyn Payton with three other siblings. Payton was always a sports enthusiast, but he initially avoided playing because of his brother Eddie, as he never wanted to compete with him.
After his brother’s graduation, the Football coach convinced Payton to give football a try, and he agreed on his terms. He joined the team as a junior player but got the spotlight soon. He got All-State honors in his senior year.
Even after having recognition, he didn’t get the scholarships he deserved, as at that time, black students faced discrimination. After this, Walter Payton applied for Kansas State but got enrolled at Jackson State, where he set nine school records. It was a historically black school, and Payton’s elder brother Eddie also played in this. These were the golden years of Payton’s life, as the Chicago Bears selected him to play in the National Football Leagues.
Achievements and Records In NFL:
His journey as a National Football Team player was incredible. Payton played around 13 seasons in the National Football League, and His name is listed in many NFL records, including:
- Total career rushing yards: 16,726 yards
- Most merged career yards from scrimmage: 21,264 yards
- Most seasons with more than 1000 yards rushing: 10 seasons
- Highest yards in a single tournament: 275 yards
- Most games with 100 or more yards: 77 games
- Most career touchdowns achieved by rushing: 110 touchdowns
He achieved many records for his name, but unfortunately, the 1987 football season was his last one, after which he retired from football. It was earlier than expected for all the fans, but it was disclosed that he was facing a rare liver disease, which forced him to step back.
What Cancer Walter Payton Had?
Payton had one of the rarest cancers, which is named Cholangiocarcinoma in medical. In this medical condition, cancer cells are formed within the bile ducts. These ducts help in digestion by transporting fluid from the liver to the intestine. When these ducts are affected by cancer, it can be very serious.
What Caused Walter Payton’s Illness?
Anything that is used excessively can result in incurable danger. This was something that happened with Payton. Medicinal drugs were just like a normal part of His life. To recover from the injuries on the ground, he used excessive medicines that resulted in his illness.
When Did Payton Was Diagnosed With Cancer?
Payton’s press conference in Chicago on February 2nd revealed that he is having a liver disease called primary sclerosing cholangitis. But, with the help of a liver transplant, physicians thought they could restore his life to its previous state within the next two years.
His previous diagnosis was revised by the time of his next follow-up appointment the following week, with the new one requiring a liver transplant by the end of 1999.
After this diagnosis, he was still all positive and said that he would get this treated like the injuries he got from the tournaments. Payton’s name was on the waiting list for the transplant at Mayo Clinic.
Even after retirement, Payton was still in the spotlight, but with each appearance, he looked weak and jaundiced. Payton was slowly losing his charm and smile to the disease.
After more tests, it was revealed that Payton had a tumor in his liver. Dr Gores at Mayo Clinic was making sure that Payton attended all his chemotherapy sessions and received radiation therapy. Still, things changed when the doctors found out that he had Bile Duct Cancer, which was spread all over his body, and at this point, transplantation was no longer.
How Did Walter Spend His Final Days?
Before he departed from the world on November 1st, 1999, he used his platform to spread awareness of organ donation, trying his best to make sure that nobody could ever go through this. Even though his personality was shattered, and his soul was filled with scars, his positivity was still alive.
As a result of his awareness campaign, more than ten thousand people register themselves for organ donations. He also helped underprivileged families by helping them. To keep his advocacy alive, the family established the Walter Payton Cancer Fund in 2002.
The Importance Of Awareness and Research:
People all around the world were not familiar with this rarest form of cancer, Bile Duct Cancer. Payton has drawn attention to this disease, as it requires more attention and research. His challenges in diagnosis and treatment highlight that this needs medical attention and research for better methods and treatment options. Early diagnosis and treatment could have saved Payton from losing his life.
Final Thoughts:
Walter Payton’s life story is all about courage, hard work, and positivity, even when times are tough. From setting records in football to bravely facing a rare cancer, he showed what it means never to give up. His efforts to spread the word about organ donation and bile duct cancer have made a big difference. He left the world too soon, but his work and community services still shine the brightest.
Payton’s life journey is a reminder that even in the toughest battles with life, there’s always room to inspire others.