The NCAA News - News and Features

The NCAA News -- November 8, 1999

Walter Payton dies

Walter Payton, who was as prominent on the college gridiron as he was in the National Football League, died of cancer November 1 at the age of 45. The all-American from Jackson State University rushed for 3,600 yards from 1971-74 and scored 464 points, which remains a division record. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1996, and is the namesake for an annual award honoring the top player in Division I-AA. Payton went on to become the NFL's all-time leading rusher with 16,726 yards. He was named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1993.