Goodbye to a star
Members of Walter Payton’s family opened their lives to Bears fans Saturday at a time when few would have blamed them for doing the opposite.view

An inspiration: Bears past, present acknowledge Payton’s legacy
Surgery was the price Dan Hampton paid to play 12 seasons for the Bears. He endured 12 knee operations — six on the left and six on the right — but through it all he always came to play.view

At early age, Zorich got message from Payton
Chris Zorich considered Walter Payton a man of the people. Ordinary people.view

Farewell to a hero
A portrait of a vibrant, healthy Walter Payton wearing his Bears uniform and white headband stared out at his family and close friends who came to say their final goodbyes to the football great Friday.view

Players, celebrities and fans expected at Payton tribute
Close friends and family of former Chicago Bear Walter Payton are bidding farewell to the football legend today at a private ceremony.view

Illinois senators honor Payton with resolution
Illinois' two senators took time out of the Senate's congested late-session schedule to honor legendary Chicago Bears running back Walter Payton.view

Payton's private spiritual life
Walter Payton took a seat on a pew in Destiny Church in Hoffman Estates on July 25.view

Payton in Bears' thoughts
Bears coach Dick Jauron does not have fond memories of Walter Payton - at least not of their days opposing each other on the field of play.view

Recalling a lifelong friendship with 'every boy's idol'
Kevin Kelly was no different from most people who were teen-agers when Walter Payton played football.view

Bears will honor Payton with patch
A blue football-shaped patch with an orange "34" will be one of the Bears' tributes to Walter Payton the rest of the season.view

A tribute to Payton
The stadium where Walter Payton gained the bulk of his 16,726 yards is the place where thousands of his fans will gather to celebrate his life.view

Arlington Hts. leaders recall Payton as friend
For the second time in three weeks, Arlington Heights is mourning the loss of one of its sons.view

Payton memorabilia in big demand
Demand for Walter Payton memorabilia has soared since his death, but items are in short supply, merchants said Tuesday.view

Payton's stomping grounds were the Northwest suburbs
Walter Payton left his mark not just on the football field, but also on the fields that have become Chicago's Northwest suburbs.view

Golfer launches push to rename Nickol Knoll in honor of Payton
Golfer Dave Tilley often plays at Nickol Knoll Golf Club in Arlington Heights, but in his mind, he's teeing off on Payton's Hill.view

Bears wives raise $93,000 for cancer research
There was the usual last-minute bustle, the usual air of expectation and the usual traffic on Buffalo Grove Road, controlled, as usual, by Buffalo Grove police donating their services to the cause.view

Our Sweetness, our sorrow
Walter Payton wasn't the biggest, fastest or strongest. view

Family struggled to keep privacy as they knew end was near
The message 10 days ago was one of hope, as Walter Payton's wife and daughter accepted an award celebrating the legend's life.view

A study in excellence
No one ever gained more yards in the NFL running the football than Walter Payton, but that was only a portion of what made him perhaps the most beloved athlete in Chicago history.view

Fans share favorite memories of Payton
Bill Bohm genuflected before the trophy case, crossed himself and said a prayer for Walter Payton's family.view

Liver transplant not an option, doctor says
Walter Payton asked for prayers earlier this year when he announced he needed a new liver to combat the disease that was destroying his own.view

Nobody safe from Payton's pranks
Walter Payton, perhaps the greatest running back in football history, demanded your attention off the field as much as he did on the field.view

Payton remembered around the league
Walter Payton's performance on the football field and his conduct off the field produced unforgettable memories and precious personal moments for coaches and former players around the NFL.view

Payton's legacy visible throughout suburbs
Walter Payton left his mark not just on the football field, but also on the fields that have become Chicago's Northwest suburbs.view

News of Payton's death saddens Halas Hall
Here is the statement from Virginia McCaskey, daughter of Bears founder George Halas.view

Jarrett Payton: You adopted my dad and made him yours
The statement Walter Payton's son, Jarrett Payton, read Monday. view

The day Jim Brown was no longer No. 1
This story first appeared on Oct. 8, 1984.view

Small college? It didn't matter to Payton, Bears
Prior to ripping up the NFL, Walter Payton was the BMOC at an HBCU - Historically Black College and University, which is how tiny Jackson State refers to itself on its Web site.view

Reinsdorf wonders why more aren't organ donors
Considering he signed Michael Jordan's paychecks for 13 seasons in his role as the Bulls' chairman, Jerry Reinsdorf knows a world-class athlete when he sees one.view

Payton's was a shoulder to cry on
Bob Thomas' 10-year career with the Bears was over in August 1984. He had been cut, and Kevin Butler would succeed him as the team's place-kicker.view

Payton took on business world as hard as opposing linebackers
Remembered as a Hall of Famer and philanthropist, Walter Payton is more clearly remembered by some, in the second phase of his life, as an energetic investor in a wide range of businesses.view