This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/15/2014
There is no nickname in professional sports more befitting than that of the moniker tagged to Hall of Fame running back Walter Payton. While not a large man for his position at just 5'10", Walter Payton possessed a combination of speed, strength, and an uncommonly graceful stride that could be summed up in one simple word, "Sweetness." Payton came to the Bears at a time when Chicago was a perennial loser, finishing 4-10 in 1974 and, for the third consecutive season, last in the NFC Central Division. But after another 4-10 season in 1975, it was becoming clear that the Bears, and Payton, were destined for greater things. The Bears improved to 7-7 in 1976 and 9-5 in 1977, as Payton earned the NFL MVP award with a league leading 1,852 rushing yards and 14 TDs. But no one could have foreseen what Payton and the Bears had in store for the NFL in 1985! Simply put, no team in NFL history so completely dominated the league over the course of a season than the 1985 Chicago Bears. The Bears posted a 15-1 record, scoring 456 points while allowing only 198. In 11 of their 16 regular season games, the Bears held their opponent to 10 points or less, including a 3-game stretch when they outscored the Lions, Cowboys, and Falcons by a combined total of 104-3. Walter Payton capped off a 13-year career, all as a member of Chicago Bears, as the NFL record holder with 16,726 rushing yards and 110 rushing TDs. Presented is one of the most treasured and important jerseys that we've been fortunate to offer: the game-used jersey worn by Hall of Famer Walter Payton during the period of 1984-1986 and quite possibly during that unimaginable 1985 season! Tagged with a Wilson size 44 label on the left front tail, the jersey exhibits light to moderate game use with no alterations of any kind. The reverse displays a black marker autograph of Payton, authenticated with an LOA from PSA/DNA. Graded A7 by Dave Bushing/Troy Kinunen - MEARS. LOA from MEARS, Mile High Card Company.