First published 2011
Jeff Pearlman chronicles the complete life of Walter Payton, the Chicago Bears running back who became the NFL's all-time rushing leader despite standing just five feet ten inches tall. Pearlman draws from interviews with more than 700 sources to trace Payton's journey from his childhood in segregated Mississippi through his thirteen-year professional career. The book examines how Payton earned his "Sweetness" nickname in college and went on to capture Chicago fans' devotion through his combination of strength, speed, and determination. Pearlman covers both Payton's athletic achievements and his personal life, including his role in ending racial tensions at his integrated high school by becoming the team's star player. The biography also addresses the illness that claimed Payton's life at age forty-five, providing readers with a comprehensive portrait of the football legend's impact both on and off the field.
Genres: biography, 20th-century, american, african-american, sports, football
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, underdog
Setting: Chicago, Mississippi
Period: 20th Century
496 pages · Hardcover · Gotham