This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/6/2016
Offered is a fantastic 1986-87 era Chicago Bears home/navy jersey worn by “Sweetness” — Walter Payton — during a contest at Soldier Field. In our opinion this item appears to show characteristics of game use, including several nice-sized repairs with reinforcements that are identical to other known authentic game worn Bears jerseys, hit marks and scuffs. What makes this jersey a truly incredible gamer is the fact that there is a tremendous amount if piling around the collar from repeat use and especially under both arms from carrying the football dozens of times. This legendary garment was originally sourced in a direct purchase from the Chicago Bears. The jersey is dark blue, with orange stripes on both sleeves, and the number 34 in white and orange on the front, back, and both shoulders. The familiar letters “GSH” are found on the left sleeve, in homage to Bears founder George Halas. It also carries Payton’s name on the back, above the number.
Da Bears drafted Payton with the 4th overall pick of the 1975 NFL Draft, hoping to replace the legendary Gale Sayers. Of course, they never could have envisioned that Sweetness would carve out a legend all on his own. In 13 seasons with the Bears, Payton re-wrote the record books, and taking the Bears to a glorious victory in Super Bowl XX. When he retired 1987, Sweetness held the records for most career rushing yards, carries, touchdowns, yards from scrimmage and all-purpose yards. He finished his career with 16,726 rushing yards and 110 touchdowns, 4,538 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns and 331 passing yards and eight touchdowns. He had 21,803 career all-purpose yards and scored 750 total points on 125 touchdowns. Defensively, he had 21 career fumble recoveries. Payton was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1993 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 1996.
Chicagoans and fans across the NFL were stunned in early 1999 when a gaunt Walter announced he was suffering from a rare autoimmune liver disease that likely contributed to his development of bile duct cancer, a rare type of the deadly disease. He died on November 1, 1999, at the age of 45.