Sweetness_ The Enigmatic Life of Walter Payton - Jeff Pearlman [257]
180 The story was published in the November 22, 1976: Dennis Breo, “Since Walter Joined the Football Bears, Chicago Has Turned Into Payton’s Place,” People, November 22, 1976.
181 He craved the bright lights and glitter: Rollow, “Beating Payton no special kick for Simpson,” Chicago Tribune, March 13, 1977.
182 By the time the half ended, Payton had run: Pierson, “Payton has his best day,” Chicago Tribune, December 6, 1976.
183 With Soldier Field’s scoreboard: Pierson, “Payton vs. O. J. to take back seat to Bears win,” Chicago Tribune, December 10, 1976.
183 Among those in attendance were: David Condon, “Celebration turns into anxiety for Payton’s mom,” Chicago Tribune, December 14, 1976.
184 Late into the third quarter: Pierson, “Broncos ruin finale for Bears, Payton,” Chicago Tribune, December 13, 1976.
185 “It was, I guess, the low point of”: Rollow, “Loss to O. J. ‘low point’ of life: Payton,” Chicago Tribune, February 17, 1977.
CHAPTER 14
186 “Walter Payton is concerned enough about”: Stone, “Payton’s goal: quit in 1 piece,” Chicago Tribune, November 1, 1977.
188 Five months later, in another: Pierson, “Bears, Phipps flop in Cleveland,” Chicago Tribune, August 26, 1977.
189 Later on, following a third-quarter sweep: Pierson, “Robertson backs down—sort of,” Chicago Tribune, October 12, 1977.
190 “Wally Chambers is the poorest excuse”: Rollow, “Rams rage over Bear ‘cheap hits,’ ” Chicago Tribune, October 11, 1977.
191 The Bears were coming off a 47–0: Pierson, “Bears take early hibernation, fall 47–0,” Chicago Tribune, November 7, 1977.
193 “It was the first time I saw him,” recalled Brown: Interview with NFL Network for 100 Greatest Players program, 2010.
194 Asked now to assess the Bears: Pierson, “It’s high noon of Bears’ season,” Chicago Tribune, November 20, 1977.
194 He had prayed throughout the week for health: “Payton Breaks Record, Rushing for 275 Yards,” The New York Times, November 21, 1977.
196 “It never came up”: John Underwood, “Payton Runs All Over The Place,” Sports Illustrated, November 28, 1977.
197 “Nobody would ever confuse running back Walter Payton”: Phil Elderkin, “Wonderful Walter makes end zone ‘Payton Place,’ ” The Christian Science Monitor, December 13, 1977.
198 “Payton’s record rushing brought out”: Pierson, “World runs to Payton,” Chicago Tribune, November 22, 1977.
198 The one Bear who seemed most irked by Payton: Joe Lapointe, “Memories Of a Stadium, Served Cold,” The New York Times, December 27, 2009.
199 “I think we’ll be the Beehive”: Pierson, “Payton enjoys day of slipping past cameras,” Chicago Tribune, December 14, 1977.
199 The red-hot Bears traveled to Detroit: Richard L. Shook, “Payton Leads Bears’ Lion-Tamers,” The Sporting News, December 10, 1977.
200 “If I don’t catch any passes I feel worthless”: Stone, “Bears want rushing record for Payton, but . . . ,” Chicago Tribune, December 18, 1977.
201 As soon as he spotted the rain: Sufrin, Payton, 98–99.
203 “I was getting worried there”: Pierson, “Bears reach playoffs—miraculously,” Chicago Tribune, December 19, 1977.
204 Just in case the sentiment didn’t resonate: Lapointe, “Memories Of a Stadium, Served Cold,” The New York Times, December 27, 2009.
204 What if Thomas had shanked: Pierson, “Bears reach playoffs—miraculously,” Chicago Tribune, December 19, 1977.
CHAPTER 15
207 On the evening of Monday, December 11, 1978: “Payton’s father dies in jail,” New York Post, December 13, 1978.
209 According to Gonzalez’s report: “Payton autopsy,” Chicago Tribune, December 16, 1978.
210 Jack Pardee, the only professional coach: Wallace, “Pardee Quits as Bears’ Coach; Will Apply for Redskins’ Post,” The New York Times, January 20, 1978.
211 “No one cares that he’s leaving”: Pierson, “Bears were losing respect for Pardee,” Chicago Tribune, January 20, 1978.
211 “I hate to see the guy leave”: Pierson, “Add Marchibroda to Bear stew,” Chicago Tribune, January 22, 1978.
212 “I don’t know what people consider dull”: Pierson, “Bears End