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    When Walter Payton died on November 1, 1999, one of the National Football League’s all-time greats fell victim to cancer. His thirteen-year career with the Chicago Bears ended in 1987. Yet he set several NFL records including rushing attempts and rushing yardage that still stand a dozen years after he left the game.

    Dominating football player that he was, Payton displayed a basic decency that fame, money, and the things they make possible did not take from him. His uncommon-among-star-athletes modesty was confirmed in an interview several years ago. “I don’t perceive myself as being better than anyone else,” he said. “I shovel my driveway. I go to the grocery store. I pump my own gas. Some athletes don’t do that.”

    He assuredly wasn’t better than other people with regard to cancer. Aggressive bile duct cancer felled him. He took his place on a transplant list and didn’t try to jump over others who were also waiting for a new liver. One was never found for him.

    NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue put it this way: “Walter exemplified class, and all of us in sports should honor him by striving to perpetuate his standard of excellence. Walter was an inspiration in everything he did. The tremendous grace and dignity he displayed in his final months reminded us again why ‘Sweetness’ was the perfect nickname for Walter Payton.”

Walter was an inspiration in everything he did.

    When I heard of Payton’s passing, a frequently told story involving him came to mind. During a Monday Night Football game between the Chicago Bears and the New York Giants, one of the ABC announcers made the observation that Walter Payton had amassed over nine miles in career rushing yardage. “Yeah,” replied the other announcer, “and that’s with somebody knocking him down every 4.6 yards!”

    Life isn’t easy. With whatever skills, breaks, and accomplishments, there are still setbacks. No matter how gifted you are or how hard you work, something can still come along to knock you down. No matter how good the economy, how profitable your business, or how strong your portfolio, things can change suddenly, drastically.

    One of the secrets to success in any field is persistence. When you hit a setback, keep trying. When something knocks you down, get up and run with the ball again. When there is a reversal, ask God to give you wisdom, strength, and stamina.

    Former teammate Mike Singletary spent the final weekend of Payton’s life reading Scripture and praying with him. “What I experienced this weekend was by far the best of Walter Payton I’ve ever seen,” he said.

    Until he stopped breathing, “Sweetness” never stopped getting up when he was knocked down. That’s style. That’s class. And that’s an example for the rest of us.

© 2000, Rubel Shelly. Used by permission. From Rubel Shelly's "FAX of Life" printed each Tuesday. See Faith Matters for previous issues of the "FAX of Life."