Walter Payton was that athlete. It's hard to believe, but it's already been 20 years since Payton passed away on Nov. 1, 1999 of bile duct cancer and liver failure. He was 45 years old.

REMEMBERING WALTER PAYTON ON HIS DEATH Walter Payton, legendary Jackson State running back, selected for NFHS Hall of Fame Robert Brazile. Brazile was drafted in the first round as the No. 6 pick.

Jarrett Payton, son of Walter Payton, speaks to the media in Lake Forest following the death of his father earlier in the day on Nov. 1, 1999. (Ted S. Warren/AP) Payton dies of bile duct cancer ...

Note: Bears great Walter Payton died 18 years ago today. This is a reprint of Sun-Times columnist Rick Telander’s tribute from Nov. 2, 1999, one day after “Sweetness” passed at age 45.

One year ago, football great Walter Payton died of liver cancer at the age of 45. ... Up until the last week before Walter's death, Yaeger said "there was a sense that things could be okay." ...

Shortly after Payton's death, to honor his legacy as both a phenomenal player and humanitarian, the NFL Man of the Year Award was renamed the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award.