The Final Quarter: What Did Walter Payton Die Of?

Walter Payton, the all-time leading rusher, in the limelight of American football, was voted the most valuable player by the National Football League. Payton not only made a name for himself in the football community, but he also gave fame to the game with his charm. There is a reason why he is still considered the greatest player of the time. Although he was known as the “sweetness”, Walter Payton had his fair share of bitterness too. So what did Walter Payton die of?

 It is one of the most asked questions as his death came as a shock to many. Walter Payton passed away on November 1st, 1999, due to a rare form of bile duct cancer. His demise at the age of 45 led the entire football community into mourning. 

There are whispers about how his demise related to depression, suicidal pain medications as well as excruciating pain from the cancer but he didn’t go without a fight. Let’s explore how one of the best players in American football met his end.

What Did Walter Payton Die Of? 

Payton was the star of every football match. so his death was a shock to many because he was known for his strength and resilience. So the question that pops on many minds is what did Payton die of?

there are two major things that aided in the death of Payton: 

1. Primary sclerosing Cholangitis 
2. drug addiction 

Payton passed away because of bile duct Cancer which is a rare and aggressive form of cancer. PSC and Drug addiction made it worse for him. Because of his drug abuse, he took more medication hence affecting his liver, which was the probable cause of getting PSC and then that eventually ended up in Bile duct Cancer. Let’s look into the details of what Payton died of. 

 At the beginning of 1999, Payton was diagnosed with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). It is a chronic liver disease in which there is scarring and inflammation inside and outside the liver. Because of this disease, bile builds up inside the liver and causes liver damage.

 Some of the symptoms included extreme pain in the abdomen, itchy skin, and jaundice, however, the patient may show no signs or symptoms at all. There was and still is no defined cause of PSC. This condition had a lot of negative impact on Payton’s life as it was a rare liver disease. Payton showed silence and strength throughout his battle with his illness. 

it is believed that there are several reasons why Payton died, one of them is that Payton’s friends and family have said that he was depressed and suicidal. A friend quotes that he would call him and tell him that he would shoot himself. It is said that Payton used to suppress the pain by taking an unimaginable number of painkillers during the games and he continued after his retirement too. There are theories that the amount of medications he was taking, and that he had become an addict. The liver damage was inevitable.

Eventually, primary sclerosing cholangitis was treated by undergoing a liver transplant surgery at a Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. However, he was later diagnosed with a rare cancer of the bile ducts.

On February 2nd, 1999, Payton gave an interview where he was asked if he feared or was up for the challenge he was facing due to his physical health. He answered that question full of hope and strength saying he is treating this as a sprained injury or a hurt knee because if he loses himself now, he won’t be able to get back up again, and that this was not in his hands anymore. 

Death of Walter Payton:

His condition was quickly deteriorating and the only viable solution was a liver transplant. He became the face of many ads requesting a transplant. But because of his complicated medical history, it was not possible and by the time he got a donor match, the doctors had lost hope for any recovery. Soon the condition worsened, and Payton took his last breath on November 1st,1999. 

It is believed that the day was also mourning on 1st November. Payton’s health was a shock to many people as he was considered the epitome of strength and resilience throughout his life. His story highlighted how even after a successful career one can end up in a situation which they have no control over. He was cherished as one the best players and running backs and always will. 

Let’s look into what made Payton the center of attention and what legacy he was leaving behind when he lost his battle with cancer. 

Walter Payton’s legacy: 

Walter Payton’s achievements on the field: 

we read into how and what did Payton die off, now let’s see how he lived his life. 

Payton was one of the three children of a factory worker. He started playing football in school, as he didn’t want to compete with his brother who was on the team.

Payton instantly gained fame and was on top of his team. One of the highlighted scores is 65 yards for a touchdown in high school football. Although he wasn’t large or tall like other players, his speed and determination gave him an edge. 

Payton continued playing in college as well, and there he was nicknamed Sweetness. Although the origins of this nickname are still ambiguous, it is believed that because of his charming personality and graceful athleticism, he was named as sweetness. He didn’t have an aggressive attitude like other players, and he was eager to help as well as learn, therefore, fitting perfectly into his new nickname.

 It was in college that his versatile style caught the attention of the National Football League which led to his selection for the Chicago Bears. From there Walter Jerry Payton rose to his fame. He played for the Bears his entire career and shattered many records in the field. 

In his illustrious football career, Payton created multiple new records and made a name for himself as well as for the team. He is known to this day as the all-time leading rusher. When he retired, he set the record for all-time rushing yards in NFL history. He retired with 16,726 yards, a record that was not broken until 2002. 

Apart from that he played 9 times in the Pro Bowl during his career and is considered one of the best running backs in NFL history. He was awarded the Most Valuable Player in 1977 by the NFL. The second running back to ever have the honor to receive this award. 

The 1986 Super Bowl was won by the Chicago Bears under the leadership of Walter Payton. which increased his fan following. He was a versatile player and one of the most appreciated players in the NFL. Last but certainly not least, Walter Payton was awarded as the Man of the Year because of his off-field contributions. 

Payton’s off-field achievement:

Apart from his on-field achievements, Walter Payton is loved because of his philanthropic work. He dedicated his work and lived to make the world a better place

. His philanthropic work is an integral part of his legacy. One of the most famous works of Payton is his foundation; “the Walter Payton Foundation” which is to ensure education, health, and fight against racial discrimination.

Apart from frequent donations and contributions he also had another funding, “sweetness64” which was focused on medical emergencies including organ transplants. It is believed that he was inspired to do so after being diagnosed with the illness that eventually led to his demise. 

Final Words For What did Walter Payton Die of? 

Now you know what Walter Payton died of and how he did. Walter Payton was considered the 

epitome of strength and resilience because of how he fought through every battle life had thrown at him. Whether it was on the field or his health concerns.

 He showcased an unwavering spirit for those around him as he dealt with his condition head-on in his last days. With that said, he had always shown physical prowess in the field, breaking records, and setting new high scores. 

Walter Payton’s life is an example of true strength, unwavering resilience, and unbeatable force. He set a legacy of generosity and compassion due to his philanthropic work. Payton may have left the football life and this world, but his story will always inspire people to come. 

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