Walter Payton | Pro Football Hall of Fame (2024)

All-League Teams

All-NFL: 1976 (AP, PFWA, PW), 1977 (AP, PFWA, NEA, PW), 1978 (PFWA, NEA, PW), 1979 (NEA, PW), 1980 (AP, PFWA, NEA, SN, PW), 1984 (AP, PFWA, NEA, SN, PW), 1985 (AP, PFWA, NEA, SN)

All-NFL Second Team: 1976 (NEA), 1978 (AP), 1979 (AP), 1983 (NEA), 1986 (AP, NEA)

All NFC: 1976 (AP, UPI, SN, PW). 1977 (UPI, SN, PW). 1978 (UPI, SN, PW). 1979 (UPI, SN, PW). 1980 (UPI, PW). 1984 (UPI, PW). 1985 (UPI)

All NFC Second Team: 1983 (UPI). 1986 (UPI)

Pro Bowls

(9) – 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987

In the NFL Record Book

(at time of his retirement following 1987 season)

• [1st] Most Rushing Attempts, Career – 3,838
• [1st] Most Yards Rushing, Career – 16,726
• [1st] Most Seasons, 1,000 or More Yards Rushing – 10
• [1st] Most Yards Rushing, Game – 275 (vs. Minnesota, Nov. 20, 1977)
• [1st] Most Games 100 or More Yards Rushing, Career – 77
• [1st] Most Rushing Touchdowns, Career – 110
• [1st] Most Combined Attempts, Career – 4,368
• [1st] Most Combined Net Yards, Career – 21,803
• [Tied for 1st] Most Consecutive Seasons Leading League, Rushing Attempts – 4 (1976-79)
• [Tied for 1st] Most Consecutive Seasons, 1,000 or More Yards Rushing – 6 (1976-1981)
• [2nd] Most Touchdowns, Career – 125
• [2nd] Most Consecutive Games 100 or More Yards Rushing – 9 (1985)
• [Tied for 2nd] Most Seasons Leading League, Rushing Attempts – 4 (1976-79)
• [Tied for 3rd] Most Consecutive Seasons, 1,000 or More Yards Rushing – 3 (1983-86)
• [Tied for 3rd] Most Games 200 or More Yards Rushing, Season – 2 (1977)
• [Tied for 3rd] Most Games 100 or More Yards Rushing, Season – 10 (1977, 1985)

Pro Bowl Records

• [1st] Most Rushing Attempts, Career – 81
• [1st] Most Yards Rushing, Career – 368
• [1st] Most Receptions, Career – 18
• [2nd] Highest Average Rushing Gain, Game – 6.91 (1985)
• [Tied for 2nd] Most Rushing Touchdown, Career – 2
• [3rd] Most Yards Rushing, Game – 77 (1978)
• [Tied for 3rd] Most Fumbles, Career – 3

Team Records

Chicago Bears records held by Payton
(Records through the 1987 season, Payton's final season with Chicago)

• [1st] Most Games – 190
• [1st] Most Consecutive Games – 186
• [1st] Most Points Scored, Career – 750
• [1st] Most Touchdowns, Career – 125
• [1st] Most Rushing Attempts, Career – 3,838
• [1st] Most Rushing Attempts, Season – 381 (1984)
• [1st] Most Rushing Attempts, Game – 40 (vs. Minnesota, Nov. 20, 1977)
• [1st] Most Yards Rushing, Career – 16,726
• [1st] Most Seasons, 1,000 or More Yards Rushing – 10
• [1st] Most Yards Rushing, Season – 1,852 (1977)
• [1st] Most Yards Rushing, Game – 275 (vs. Minnesota, Nov. 20, 1977)
• [1st] Most Games 100 or More Yards Rushing, Career – 77
• [1st] Most Consecutive Games 100 or More Yards Rushing – 9 (1985)
• [1st] Most Consecutive Seasons, 1,000 or More Yards Rushing – 6 (1976-1981)
• [1st] Most Games 200 or More Yards Rushing, Season – 2 (1977)
• [1st] Most Games 200 or More Yards Rushing, Career – 2
• [1st] Most Rushing Touchdowns, Career – 110
• [1st] Most Combined Attempts, Career – 4,368
• [1st] Most Combined Attempts, Season – 426 (1984)
• [1st] Most Combined Attempts, Game – 41 (vs. Minnesota, Nov. 20, 1977; at Buffalo, Oct. 7, 1979)
• [1st] Most Combined Net Yards, Career – 21,803
• [Tied for 1st] Most Rushing Touchdowns, Season – 14 (1977, 1979)
• [Tied for 1st] Most Consecutive Games with a Rushing Touchdowns – 7 (1976)
• [1st] Most Pass Receptions, Career – 492
• [2nd] Most Touchdowns, Season – 16 (1977, 1979)
• [2nd] Most Rushing Attempts, Season – 369 (1979)
• [2nd] Most Rushing Attempts, Game – 38 (at Dallas, Nov. 26, 1981)
• [2nd] Most Yards Rushing, Season – 1,684 (1984)
• [2nd] Most Consecutive Games 100 or More Yards Rushing – 6 (1984)
• [2nd] Most Rushing Touchdowns, Season – 13 (1976)
• [2nd] Most Consecutive Games with a Pass Reception – 45 (1984-87)
• [2nd] Most Combined Attempts, Season – 400 (1979)
• [2nd] Most Combined Attempts, Game – 40 (at Dallas, Nov. 26, 1981)
• [Tied for 2nd] Most Seasons – 13
• [Tied for 2nd] Most Consecutive Seasons – 13
• [Tied for 2nd] Most Consecutive Games with a Touchdown – 7 (1976)
• [Tied for 2nd] Most Yards Rushing, Game – 205 (at Green Bay, Oct. 30, 1977)
• [3rd] Most Rushing Attempts, Season – 339 (1977, 1981)
• [3rd] Most Rushing Attempts, Game – 36 (vs. Oakland, Nov. 7, 1976; vs. San Diego, Oct. 25, 1981)
• [3rd] Most Yards Rushing, Season – 1,610 (1979)
• [3rd] Most Consecutive Games 100 or More Yards Rushing – 5 (1977)
• [3rd] Most Receiving Yards, Career – 4,538
• [3rd] Most Combined Attempts, Season – 383 (1978)
• [3rd] Most Combined Attempts, Game – 39 (vs. San Diego, Oct. 25, 1981)
• [3rd] Most Combined Net Yards, Season – 2,216 (1977)
• [3rd] Most Combined Net Yards, Game – 300 (vs. New Orleans, Dec. 21, 1975)

League/Team Statistical Titles

NFL Statistical Championships
Touchdown Leader: 1977
Rushing Titles: 1977

NFC Statistical Championships
Scoring Titles: 1977
Touchdown Leader: 1977, 1979
Rushing Titles: 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980

Team Statistical Championships
Scoring Titles: 1976, 1977, 1979
Touchdown Leader: 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1981, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986
Rushing Titles: 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986
Reception Titles: 1978, 1980, 1981, 1983, 1984, 1985

Awards and Honors

• 1970s All-Decade Team
• 1980s All-Decade Team
• NFL’s 75th Anniversary Team
• All-Time NFL Team (selected in year 2000)
• 1976 NFC Player of the Year (SN)
• 1977 Most Valuable Player (PFWA, AP, NEA)
• 1977 NFC Player of the Year (UPI, SN)
• 1977 Offensive MVP (AP, PW)
• 1977 NFC Offensive Player of the Year (UPI)
• 1985 Most Valuable Player (NEA, MX)
• 1985 NFC Offensive Player of the Year (UPI)

Year-by-Year Team Records