Walter Payton Posthumously Awarded Golden Diploma From Jackson State University

NFL Hall of Famer Walter Payton was given a Golden Diploma from his alma mater, Jackson State University, in May during the school’s commencement ceremonies.

According to HBCU Gameday, the university honored the former football player, who died in 1999, May 3 as they celebrated the 50th reunion of the Class of 1975. Payton’s brother, Eddie, received the diploma on behalf of Walter.

“I couldn’t think of anything that I would rather have done than be here in Walter’s place,” said Payton. “I know if he would have been here, he would have been front and center with a big smile on his face.”

Payton was a mainstay while playing for the Chicago Bears from 1975 to 1987 after graduating from Jackson State. Before creating a legendary career in the NFL, he attended Jackson State, where, during his collegiate career as a running back, he was voted Black College Player of the Year two times, in 1973 and 1974. His career stats at JSU included averaging 6.1 yards per carry and accumulating 3,563 rushing yards, while scoring 464 points, according to the Black College Football Hall of Fame page.

According to Biography, as a Chicago Bears player, he rushed for a single-game record 275 yards in 1977, while winning the MVP (Most Valuable Player) Award that year. Before retiring, he won the elusive Super Bowl ring when the Bears beat the New England Patriots in January 1986. He left the game in 1987. During his career, he played in the Pro Bowl nine times while becoming a five-time All-Pro. He rushed for 16,726 yards.

He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1993 and made the College Football Hall of Fame three years later in 1996. He was posthumously inducted into the Black College Football Hall of Fame in 2010.

Payton died at the age of 46 on November 1, 1999, of bile duct cancer.

After his death, the NFL added Payton’s name to its NFL Man of the Year Award awarded to the football player who is committed to philanthropy and community impact. Payton won the award in 1977.

Walter Payton Posthumously Awarded Golden Diploma From Jackson State University