Sweetness_ The Enigmatic Life of Walter Payton - Jeff Pearlman [256]
144 “Our game has assumed many of the characteristics”: Cooper Rollow, “Papa Bear,” The Sporting News, November 14, 1983.
145 “The juices of humanity seem to have been squeezed”: Bill Furlong, “George Halas: Saint or Sinner?” The Sporting News, December 15, 1962.
145 “[Halas],” wrote Furlong: Richard W. Johnston, “Chicago: The Once and Future Bears,” Sports Illustrated, December 9, 1974.
145 The Bears, wrote Jerry Green of The Sporting News: Jerry Green, “New Era for Bears With Finks,” The Sporting News, September 28, 1974.
146 “I have the authority to hire or fire”: Ibid.
146 A quarterback with the Steelers from: William N. Wallace, “Ex-Quarterback Behind Surging Vikings,” The New York Times, December 11, 1969.
146 “He has the temperament and disposition”: “Bears Hire Pardee as Head Coach,” The New York Times, January 1, 1975.
147 On June 1, 1975, two days before Payton signed: Roy Damer, “McKay selects 54 College All-Stars,” Chicago Tribune, June 1, 1975.
152 At one point Payton was sent to Illinois Masonic: Stone, “Payton is hospitalized; Bears sell Pagac, Barnes,” Chicago Tribune, August 6, 1975.
152 He was milking cows on the family’s farm: Tony Kornheiser, “Pardee!” The Washington Post, September 17, 1979.
152 Told he could either die or: Sam Smith, “This time, Pardee will stay a while,” Chicago Tribune, September 13, 1987.
152 “I didn’t think I’d die”: Kornheiser, “Pardee!” The Washington Post, September 17, 1979.
153 “It was more of a gut feeling”: Phil Elderkin, “ ‘Sleeper’ coach shakes Bears from hibernation,” The Christian Science Monitor, November 2, 1976.
156 While booting balls during a practice: Pierson, “Bears’ Coady waived,” Chicago Tribune, August 29, 1975.
157 As Don Pierson noted in that day’s Chicago Tribune: Pierson, “Bears vs. Dolphins tonight; Payton to make debut,” Chicago Tribune, September 6, 1975.
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158 In a piece titled “Bears are putting”: Pierson “Bears are putting it all together,” Chicago Tribune, September 14, 1975.
158 In the lead-up to the game: Stone, “Payton: ‘Give me time, I’ll give ’em a new Sayers,’ ” Chicago Tribune, September 14, 1975.
159 The Bears lost 35–7: Pierson, “Unbearably Colt (35-7) NFL debut,” Chicago Tribune, September 22, 1975.
160 “Zero yards for the number one pick?”: Payton and Yaeger, Never Die Easy, 77.
161 “He ran for zero yards, but it was”: Pierson, “1975: ‘I just like to do whatever it takes to win. And if it takes that much I’ll do it,’ ” Chicago Tribune, November 7, 1999.
162 Payton, in the words of: Pierson, “Bears prevail 15-13 with :08 left,” Chicago Tribune, September 29, 1975.
163 “They weren’t as good as I expected”: Pierson, “Tarkenton, Vikes stifle Bears 28-3,” Chicago Tribune, October 6, 1975.
163 “That’s the first time I’ve ever seen an opponent laugh”: Pierson, “Lions ax Bears in ‘laugher’ 27-7,” Chicago Tribune, October 13, 1975.
163 “He played a good game”: Pierson, “Bear offensive line criticized by Pardee,” Chicago Tribune, October 14, 1975.
167 That Sunday, Payton stood on the sideline: Stone, “Bears battle Steelers in ‘morbid’ mismatch,” Chicago Tribune, October 19, 1975.
169 “I can’t believed it’s the Mike Adamle”: Neil Milbert, “Cosell crew kind to Bears over TV,” Chicago Tribune, October 28, 1975.
169 Payton was a backup for the first: Pierson, “Vikes turn back stubborn Bears 13-9,” Chicago Tribune, October 28, 1975.
169 “If they want me to run, I’ll run”: Joe Mooshil, No headline, Associated Press, November 18, 1975.
171 Five months later, when he prepared to return to Chicago: Payton, Payton, and Payton, Payton, 179–181.
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172 On July 14, the third straight day: Pierson, “Bears run ‘best practice’ despite heat,’ Chicago Tribune, July 15, 1976.
174 Fed up, Pardee announced after: Pierson, “Musso moves us after Bear win,” Chicago Tribune, August 9, 1976.
174 When Finks slyly told the Tribune: Pierson, “Payton ready to carry big load, shed pressure,” Chicago Tribune, August 12, 1976.
177 The lineman began the process of bringing the back: Pierson,