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.

One year ago, football great Walter Payton died of liver cancer at the age of 45. The Chicago Bears legend was known as "Sweetness" and it was easy to see why.

Bob Avellini, the former Chicago quarterback who teamed with Hall of Fame running back Walter Payton to lead the Bears to the 1977 playoffs, died Saturday. He was 70.

It was called NFL Man of the Year Award from 1970 until 1999, when it was renamed for Hall of Famer Walter Payton after his death in 1999. Payton was the recipient of the honor in 1977.

REMEMBERING WALTER PAYTON ON HIS DEATHWalter 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.

CHICAGO — Bob Avellini, the former Chicago quarterback who teamed with Hall of Fame running back Walter Payton to lead the Bears to the 1977 playoffs, died Saturday. He was 70.The Bears said ...

Payton, meanwhile, rushed for more than 1,800 yards and 14 TDs. Avellini threw for 7,111 yards with 33 touchdowns and 69 interceptions in 73 games over nine seasons, from 1975 to 1984.

Payton, meanwhile, rushed for more than 1,800 yards and 14 TDs. Avellini threw for 7,111 yards with 33 touchdowns and 69 interceptions in 73 games over nine seasons, from 1975 to 1984.