Sweetness_ The Enigmatic Life of Walter Payton - Jeff Pearlman [255]
113 “Lots of newspapers around the nation don’t even print”: Bernard Fernandez, “Payton Finding Place in sun at Jackson State,” The Sporting News, November 30, 1974.
114 With his death less than two months before the start: Carlos Boyd, “Former Wyoming line coach dies,” The Denver Post, May 6, 2001.
116 The Tigers won 75–0: John Stamm, “Tigers Rout Omaha 75-0,” Jackson Daily News, October 6, 1974.
116 Four days later, the Associated Press named: “Buckeyes’ Griffin Back Of Week,” The Clarion-Ledger, October 9, 1974.
116 So lightly regarded was Jackson State: Husar, “Team Canada stung by ‘bugs’?” Chicago Tribune, October 10, 1974.
117 “If they are going to go by ability”: “Payton All-Time Scoring Champ,” The Blue and White Flash, November 1, 1974.
119 The only news outlet to run the photograph: “You Be The Referee,” The Blue and White Flash, November 1, 1974.
119 The Tigers fell again, to Grambling: Bill Sanders, “Tigers End Home Play,” The Clarion-Ledger, November 9, 1974.
119 “I’m telling you, I chugalugged”: Payton and Jenkins, Sweetness, 91.
120 “Pro scouts, judging from my research”: Tom Siler, “Griffin Leading Heisman Race,” The Sporting News, November 9, 1974.
CHAPTER 10
130 Three days before the January 11, 1975, contest: Ponto Downing, “JSU’s Payton Comes Close On Prediction,” The Clarion-Ledger, January 12, 1975.
130 In a dull 17–17 tie, Payton: “Mike-Mayer’s FG Earns South 17-17 Senior Tie,” Associated Press, January 12, 1975.
131 “I am strictly a thrower”: Will Grimsley, “Bartkowski Wants To Play,” Associated Press, January 29, 1975.
131 “I remember the debate”: CNN, Mike Ditka interview with Lou Waters. November 1, 1999.
132 “Without question, the best offensive lineman”: “NFL Kicks Off Clouded Draft,” Associated Press, January 29, 1975.
133 When Ponto Downing of the Clarion-Ledger arrived: Ponto Downing, “J-State Pair ‘Buzzing’ After Hearing Draft News,” The Clarion-Ledger , January 29, 1974.
133 More than two hours after he was selected, Tom Siler: Tom Siler, “Walter Payton—Gifted Runner,” The Sporting News, February 15, 1975.
133 “We’ve been sweating it out”: Robert Markus, “Bears go after ‘little big man’ in first draft pick,” Chicago Tribune, January 29, 1975.
134 “He was easy to find on film”: Pierson, “ ‘If the people of Chicago give me some time and be patient, I’ll give them a new Gale Sayers,’ ” Chicago Tribune, November 7, 1999.
134 Bud Holmes, however, wasn’t sold: Downing, “J-State Pair ‘Buzzing’ After Hearing Draft News,” The Clarion-Ledger, January 29, 1974.
136 “There are other leagues”: Pierson, “Elusive Payton talks,” Chicago Tribune, January 30, 1975.
138 “Walter, they ain’t got no grits”: Bill McGrane, Sweetness, (Los Angeles: National Football League Book, 1988), 8.
139 “The major deciding factor was that it has been his life’s”: Ed Stone, “Bears sign Payton for big bucks,” Chicago Tribune, June 4, 1975.
CHAPTER 11
140 “Gale Sayers has been my idol”: Pierson, “Payton shows up . . . with his agent,” Chicago Tribune, February 4, 1975.
141 It was once said that if Helen of Troy: Jack Schnelder, “Gibron Brings New Image to NFL—300 Pounds,” The Sporting News, September 14, 1972.
142 Halas was born on February 2, 1895: Eugene Carlson, “George Halas Put Pro Football in Big Leagues,” Wall Street Journal, June 20, 1989.
142 In helping the Illini capture the 1918: Arthur Daley, “Story of the Papa Bear,” The New York Times, December 7, 1951.
143 The Staleys finished 10-1-2: Frank Graham, “Keeper of the Bears,” New York Journal-American, March 5, 1947.
143 “I’m afraid we can’t make a go of it”: Ibid.
143 It came on the morning of January 30, 1922: Jerry Liska, “Halas: Last of a Series,” Associated Press, December 12, 1962.
144 As Frank Graham wrote: Frank Graham, “Keeper of the Bears,” New York Journal-American, March 5, 1947.
144 In 1933, Halas, along with Redskins owner: Jerry Liska, “Halas: Last of a Series,” Associated Press, December 12, 1962.
144 He also added—among other things: Frank Deford, “ ‘I Don’t Date any Woman Under 48,’ ” Sports