Close friends and family of former Chicago Bear Walter Payton are bidding farewell to the football legend today at a private ceremony. The funeral, which begins at noon, is being held at South Barrington's Life Changer's Church. Payton died Monday from bile duct cancer and a rare liver disease. He was 45.
A public ceremony for Payton's fans will take place Saturday at Chicago's Soldier Field.
Woodridge resident LaTonya Morrison plans to be among the thousands who will crowd the football stadium to say goodbye to Payton.
"It wouldn't be the same to watch it on TV," she said. "I want to be a part of it all."
Organizers say they are uncertain how many people will show up for the public memorial service, scheduled to run from noon to 1:30 p.m. The event will be free and open to the public.
Soldier Field holds 66,944 and there are no plans to handle overflow.
"We will have to turn people away if we surpass stadium capacity," said Scott Hagel, assistant director of public relations for the Bears.
Former Payton teammates, and current local television sports reporters Mike Adamle (WMAQ-TV, Channel 5) and Dan Jiggetts (WFLD-TV, Channel 32) along with sports anchor Tim Weigel (WBBM-TV, Channel 2) will co-emcee the program.
The current Bears team, former teammates, including members of the 1985 Super Bowl team, and dignitaries from the city of Chicago each will pay a short tribute to Payton.
Payton's family, Bears matriarch Virginia McCaskey and Bears President Ted Phillips also will be present.
The main gates at Soldier Field open at 10 a.m. (Gates 0, 15, 16, 37 and 28). The Payton Foundation is asking that guests bring new, unwrapped toys which will be given to the Department of Children and Family Services to distribute during the holiday season.
Soldier Field parking will open at 8 a.m. Parking will be $7, with proceeds going to Bears Care -Walter Payton. Parking also will be available at McCormick Place and the East Monroe Street Underground Garage. Shuttle buses will be available from those lots to Soldier Field, beginning at 9 a.m. and continuing throughout the day.
Jeff Stern, a spokesman for CTA, is encouraging fans use public transportation. He said the CTA will have extra shuttle buses on the No. 146 Marine-Michigan Route. Suburban residents can catch these buses by taking the Metra downtown and then going to State Street where the buses will run southbound.
Meanwhile, the Field Museum is waiving its regular admission fee Saturday afternoon in honor of the Chicago Bear legend.
The Field Museum currently is featuring an exhibit titled: "The Chicago Bears: 80 Years of Gridiron Legends". The exhibit, which runs through Jan. 2 is the first official collection of memorabilia spanning the Bears' entire 80-year heritage.
It includes photos of Payton, his jersey and video clips of some of his plays. Officials say visitors to the exhibit have increased since Payton's death.
Museum visitors will have an opportunity to sign a book offering condolences to the Payton family. Organ donor forms also will be available.
Fans who don't attend the service still can make donations to Bears Care-Walter Payton. Send checks to Chicago Bears, c/o Bears Care-Walter Payton, 1000 Football Drive, Lake Forest, IL 60045. Fans may also mail toys to "Wishes to Santa Program" 505 Railroad Ave., North Lake, IL 60164. Toy drop-off locations are listed at www.chicagobears.com.
