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Jarrett Payton
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Jarrett Walter Payton (born December 26, 1980) is an American former professional football running back. He is the son of Walter Payton. Payton was previously signed as an undrafted free agent by the National Football League (NFL)'s Tennessee Titans. Payton also played for the Amsterdam Admirals, Montreal Alouettes and Toronto Argonauts. Payton hosts his own internet radio show named the Jarrett Payton Show on ChicagolandSportsRadio.com. He also holds anchor positions for WGN-TV.[1][2]

Key Information

Early life

[edit]

Payton played high school soccer and football at St. Viator High School. In his first two years of high school, he opted for soccer and earned All-State player honors. As a senior in high school Payton accounted for 2,842 all-purpose yards while playing quarterback, tailback, and wide receiver (passed for 1,088 yards and rushed for another 1,345 yards). He was rated the No. 58 overall prospect in the nation by The Sporting News and named the No. 5 athlete in the Midwest Region by PrepStar.

College career

[edit]

As a freshman at the University of Miami, Payton saw action in several games. He finished his freshman year with 262 yards rushing on 53 carries for a 4.9 average. He also totaled six catches for 48 yards (8.0 average) and returned two kickoffs for 44 yards. As a sophomore in college Payton sat out the season with a redshirt year (not medically related). As a third-year sophomore, moving to fullback from tailback, Payton played in eight games during the regular season and gained 26 yards on 14 carries with two touchdowns. In 2002, as a fourth year junior, he played extensively at tailback and as a starting kickoff return man (averaged 20.7 yards per kickoff return). At tailback he rushed for 223 yards on 50 carries (4.5 average). In his final year at the University of Miami Payton ran for 985 yards and seven touchdowns on 182 carries (5.4 average). He also caught 17 passes for 136 yards and one touchdown (8.0 average). He was also named the MVP of the 2004 Orange Bowl.

Professional career

[edit]

National Football League

[edit]

In 2005, he moved from the Titans to NFL Europe, where he played for the Amsterdam Admirals. He was a major part of the Admirals victory that year in the World Bowl XIII. He was also a member of the All-NFL Europe League team in 2005. Payton was the Titans third running back for the 2005 season, finishing the season with 33 carries for 105 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Payton was released prior to the 2006 season by the Titans during final cuts.

Payton (#2) in 2009.

Canadian Football League

[edit]

On February 22, 2007 it was announced that Payton had signed a one-year contract with the Montreal Alouettes of the CFL. He scored his first career CFL touchdown on August 2, 2007, against Toronto. Jarrett's first 100-yard rushing game came on August 9, 2007, when he rushed the ball 20 times for 160 yards and one touchdown against the Calgary Stampeders. Payton finished the season fifth in the CFL with 852 yards and fourth with eight rushing touchdowns. Payton was released by the Alouettes on July 2, 2008.[3]

Payton signed with the Toronto Argonauts on June 7, 2009.[4] He was released by the Argonauts, at his request, on September 9, 2009. During his time with the Argos he gained 47 all-purpose yards on three catches and seven carries. In 2010, He finished up his professional playing career with the Chicago Slaughter of the Indoor Football League. He announced that his desire was to continue work with the Chicago-based Walter & Connie Payton Foundation, which helps underprivileged children.[5]

Broadcast career

[edit]

On May 8, 2015, Payton was hired as a sports reporter by WGN-TV, which includes a role as a host of a show on Chicagoland Television.[6] As of 2025, Payton's role at WGN includes being a sports anchor/reporter for WGN News and co-anchor of WGN's GN Sports[1]

Personal life

[edit]

Payton is the son of Walter Payton, the former Chicago Bears running back. He grew up in Arlington Heights, Illinois and South Barrington, Illinois, and has a sister, Brittney. In 1993, 12-year-old Jarrett gave the induction speech at his father's induction to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.[7][8] In 2024, he would induct his father's former Bears teammate Steve McMichael into the NFL Hall of Fame as well.[7]

He wore jerseys numbered 33, 4 (Titans), and 34 (Miami). Payton chose 33 when he played with the Titans because his father's number, 34, was retired in honor of Earl Campbell.

Apart from playing football, Payton spends his time recording music.

He married the former Trisha George on March 4, 2009, in Florida. The wedding date was intentionally set on this date to coincide with Walter Payton's famous jersey number, 34. They held their reception at Soldier Field in Chicago 3 days later, March 7.[9] The couple has two children, son Jaden[10] and daughter Madison.

In 2011, Payton formed the Jarrett Payton Foundation. The Jarrett Payton Foundation strives to positively influence young people in and around Chicago through two core programs: the youth football camp The Jarrett Payton Leadership Academy, and the anti-bullying program PROJECT: NO BULL.[11]

Further reading

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Jarrett Payton

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Jarrett Payton (born December 26, 1980) is an American television sports anchor, radio host, , businessman, and philanthropist, best known as the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer and for his own brief professional football career as a in the , , and CFL. Born in , Payton grew up in the area and excelled in football and soccer at , where he earned all-state honors as a and kicker. He continued his football career at the from 1999 to 2003, rushing for 1,496 yards and 10 touchdowns on 299 carries, while also contributing as a receiver with 28 catches for 226 yards and one score. After going undrafted in the , Payton signed as a with the , appearing in 13 games in 2005 primarily on special teams while rushing for 105 yards and two touchdowns on 33 carries. That year, he also played for the in , helping the team win the 2005 championship. Payton later pursued opportunities in the Canadian Football League, signing with the Montreal Alouettes in 2007, where he scored multiple touchdowns in games including a three-touchdown performance against the , before joining the in 2009. Transitioning from football, Payton entered and media in the Chicago market, serving as a sports contributor and host on WGN Radio's The Beat before becoming the co-host of WGN-TV's GN Sports and the sports anchor for the station's 4 p.m. evening news broadcast. As a , he draws on his experiences growing up in the shadow of his father's legacy to inspire audiences on perseverance and leadership. Payton is also a dedicated philanthropist through the Jarrett Payton Foundation, which supports youth programs in education, health, and sports, continuing the charitable work associated with his family's namesake. He is married with two children and remains active in Chicago-area business ventures, including restaurant partnerships.

Early life

Birth and family background

Jarrett Payton was born on December 26, 1980, in . He is the son of , the renowned for his 13-year career with the , and Connie Payton; he has one sibling, a younger sister named Brittney Payton. Payton spent his early childhood in Arlington Heights before the family relocated to , where he continued to grow up amid the heightened public scrutiny that accompanied his father's celebrity status as a Bears icon. This environment exposed him from a young age to the demands of public life, including frequent interactions with fans and media, as well as the challenges of living in the shadow of his father's fame, which often blurred the lines between family privacy and widespread admiration for . Payton's early introduction to sports stemmed directly from his father's profession, as he attended games and training camps from childhood, fostering a deep familiarity with football's intensity and the athletic world. This immersion shaped his initial motivations toward athletics while highlighting the personal sacrifices involved in a high-profile sports career. The family dynamics shifted profoundly on November 1, 1999, when died from bile duct cancer at age 45, an event that occurred during Jarrett's freshman year at the . The loss left a lasting emotional impact on Jarrett and the family, intensifying their bond amid grief and prompting Jarrett to reflect on his father's resilience, which influenced his own approach to personal challenges and public responsibilities in the years that followed.

High school athletics

Jarrett Payton attended in , from 1995 to 1999, where he developed as a multi-sport excelling in both football and soccer. During his first two years, he primarily focused on soccer before transitioning to football in his junior and senior seasons, demonstrating versatility across positions that included , tailback, , and . In football, Payton built his skills progressively, showcasing his adaptability on offense and special teams in his earlier years before erupting as a senior in 1998. That season, he amassed 2,842 all-purpose yards, including 1,345 rushing yards and 1,088 passing yards, while contributing defensively with two interceptions. His performance helped establish him as a dynamic capable of impacting games in multiple roles. Payton also shone in soccer as a forward, earning All-State honors in during his initial high school seasons. He scored 34 goals in one fall campaign and netted key strikes in state tournaments, including a goal in the third-place match of the 1996 Class AA state tournament, where he was named to the all-tournament team as St. Viator finished third. His dual-sport prowess led to All-conference recognition in both soccer and football, with selections to the and Daily Herald all-area teams as a senior footballer, marking him as one of ' top prospects. Rated the No. 58 overall national recruit by and the No. 5 in the Midwest Region by PrepStar, Payton navigated a competitive recruitment process that drew interest from major programs like Penn State and before committing to the , all while balancing the pressures of his family's athletic legacy.

College career

Early years at Miami (1999–2001)

Jarrett Payton enrolled at the in 1999 as a on the Hurricanes football team. During his season in 1999, Payton saw action in seven games under head coach , primarily in a limited role behind established running backs such as and . He rose to second-team status on the depth chart at various points, recording 53 rushing attempts for 262 yards at a 4.9-yard average and one , along with six receptions for 48 yards and two kickoff returns for 44 yards. His contributions included a standout performance against Temple, where he amassed 115 all-purpose yards (81 rushing and 34 receiving), helping the team in a key regular-season matchup. However, the season was marked by personal challenges when his father, , died of on November 1, 1999, shortly after Jarrett's strong showing against Rutgers; Jarrett dedicated the remainder of the year to his father's memory, though the loss noticeably affected his focus and emotional state. In 2000, Payton redshirted the season after suffering an ankle injury in preseason scrimmages, which sidelined him for the entire year and preserved his eligibility; the period also allowed him time to grieve his father's , as he later reflected that he "just wasn't there" mentally amid ongoing . This depth chart competition persisted, with the Hurricanes relying on other backs amid their 11-1 campaign. Payton returned in 2001 as a sophomore under new head coach , who had succeeded , and contributed modestly to the Hurricanes' undefeated 12-0 season and , appearing in eight games primarily as a backup. He recorded 14 rushing attempts for 26 yards and two touchdowns, plus three receptions for 19 yards, facing continued competition from tailbacks like and on a loaded roster. While his statistical output was limited, Payton was part of the team's dominant run, including their victory in the Rose Bowl, marking a foundational period of adaptation amid team success and personal recovery.

Later years at Miami (2002–2003)

In his junior year of 2002, Jarrett Payton served primarily as a and special teams contributor for the , appearing in 12 games while sharing carries behind starter . He rushed for 223 yards on 50 attempts, averaging 4.5 yards per carry with no touchdowns, and added 23 receiving yards on two catches. Payton also started as a kickoff returner, handling seven returns for 145 yards at an average of 20.7 yards per return, demonstrating his versatility in the return game. Payton's senior season in 2003 marked a significant breakout, as he transitioned to the starting role following Frank Gore's season-ending knee injury in the opener against . As a fifth-year senior, he led the team in rushing, carrying the ball 182 times for 985 yards and seven s over 13 games, with a 5.3 yards-per-carry average. His receiving contributions included 17 catches for 136 yards and one , showcasing his all-purpose back skills. Payton achieved multiple 100-yard rushing performances, including 115 yards on 16 carries against Temple on October 18 and over 100 yards alongside teammate Tyrone Moss in a 38-20 win over on November 28. Despite a 31-7 loss to on November 1—where Payton rushed 18 times for 69 yards—the Hurricanes finished 11-0 in the regular season, with Payton providing steady leadership in the backfield amid the team's pursuit of a berth. His first career start came earlier that year on against Florida State, where he rushed 26 times for 97 yards and caught a 14-yard pass in a 22-14 victory, helping Miami force five turnovers. Under head coach , Payton's emergence as a reliable starter stabilized the running game following the loss of Gore and McGahee from the prior year. The season culminated in the 2004 Orange Bowl against Florida State on January 1, 2004, where Payton earned FedEx Most Valuable Player honors after rushing 22 times for 131 yards, including a pivotal 47-yard run that set up a touchdown. Miami's 16-14 win extended their bowl streak, with Payton's performance anchoring the ground attack in a defensive battle. Over his entire career from 1999 to 2003, Payton amassed 1,496 rushing yards on 299 carries with 10 touchdowns, plus 28 receptions for 226 yards and one score, along with contributions in kick returns totaling 189 yards. As he prepared for the NFL Draft process, Payton focused on completing his degree in liberal arts from the .

Professional football career

NFL career

Jarrett Payton signed with the as an undrafted free agent on April 26, 2004, following a standout college career at the . During the 2004 training camp, Payton competed for a roster spot amid intense battles at , ultimately earning a position on the team's for the entire season without appearing in any regular-season games. Entering the 2005 training camp, Payton again faced stiff competition for a spot on the 53-man roster, leveraging his versatility and to secure a role as the third behind starter and others. He primarily contributed on third-down situations and special teams, appearing in all 13 games that season with limited offensive snaps. Payton's most notable performances included his NFL debut on October 2, 2005, against the , where he rushed four times for 37 yards, and scoring his first career on October 9 against the Houston Texans with eight carries for 11 yards. He added his second on December 18 versus the . Overall, Payton recorded 33 carries for 105 yards and two touchdowns, along with six receptions for 30 yards. Despite his contributions, Payton was released by the Titans on September 2, 2006, during final roster cuts as the team opted to retain established backs like . In his brief career, Payton amassed 105 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 33 attempts.

CFL and other leagues career

In 2005, Payton signed with the of , where he emerged as a key contributor on the offensive backfield. During the season, he recorded 104 carries for 578 rushing yards and seven touchdowns, earning All-NFL Europe League honors as one of the league's top running backs. Payton played a supporting role in the Admirals' run to XIII, helping secure the championship victory over the Thunder in , . Payton joined the Canadian Football League (CFL) with the Montreal Alouettes, signing a one-year contract with an option in February 2007 after spending time on the ' the previous year. He began the season inactive due to an ankle injury that sidelined him for the first four games but transitioned into the starting role upon his debut in late July. In 13 games, Payton rushed for 852 yards on 188 carries with eight touchdowns, leading the Alouettes in rushing and providing a steady ground presence for the team's offense. His performance included standout games, such as a 160-yard, one-touchdown effort against the and a three-touchdown, 129-yard outing against the on September 9, 2007. Payton's tenure with Montreal ended abruptly in July 2008 when he was released amid ongoing injury concerns that limited his participation that season. After sitting out the 2008 campaign, he attempted a comeback by signing with the in June 2009. His role remained limited, appearing in eight games with three starts, where he accumulated 60 all-purpose yards on three rushes for 10 yards, seven receptions for 37 yards, and one kickoff return for 13 yards. Payton requested and received his release from the in September 2009, marking the end of his CFL career. In 2010, Payton concluded his professional playing career with the of the (IFL), signing with his hometown team in January to wear his father's iconic number 34. He appeared in multiple games, contributing moderately with rushes that included five carries for 57 yards and a against the Kent Predators, as well as two rushing scores in a road win over the Bloomington Extreme. Across his non-NFL professional career, Payton amassed approximately 1,430 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns, primarily from his productive 2005 stint in and 2007 season in the CFL, though persistent injuries and frequent team transitions hampered consistency. He announced his retirement from playing following the 2010 IFL season, shifting focus to media and other endeavors.

Broadcasting career

Early media roles

Following his retirement from professional football in 2010 with the Chicago Slaughter of the , Jarrett Payton began transitioning into sports media roles in the area, initially focusing on local outlets as a sideline reporter and contributor for high school and regional games. He participated in the NFL's Broadcast Boot Camp in June 2012, a program designed to train former players for media careers, which helped him develop skills in and on-air despite not initially targeting as a post-playing path. Payton's entry into media was motivated by his firsthand football experience, allowing him to provide insider perspectives on games and strategies, while his family name as the son of Bears legend opened doors to local opportunities in a city with deep ties to the franchise. From 2011 to 2014, Payton took on recurring television roles, including appearances as a contributor and host on , where he covered pregame analysis and Bulls basketball segments, leveraging his playing background to break down team performances. In , he joined the network as a sideline reporter for the "Comcast Game of the Week" high school football series, providing live commentary during broadcasts of local matchups. That same year, he expanded nationally with weekly appearances on ESPNU's SportsNation show, offering insights on college games each Saturday during the season. These early TV gigs established Payton in 's sports media landscape, emphasizing his knowledge of the Bears' history and operations. Payton's radio career began around 2011 with guest spots and co-hosting duties on in , including the Bears postgame show from August 2011 to May 2012, where he analyzed games alongside hosts like Jonathan Hood. In 2010, he launched and hosted The Jarrett Payton Show, an internet-based talk program on ChicagolandSportsRadio.com, airing weekdays and focusing on topics, teams, and player interviews until 2012. He also contributed to WGN Radio's Sports Central on WGN Plus during this period, further building his voice in local discussion. These radio efforts allowed Payton to engage audiences directly with his expertise on football tactics and team dynamics. Throughout his early media roles, Payton faced challenges in establishing independent of his father's iconic legacy, often navigating perceptions tied to the "Payton son" label while covering Bears games that inevitably evoked Walter Payton's Hall of Fame career. He addressed this by emphasizing analytical depth drawn from his own professional experience, gradually earning recognition for his insights rather than familial connections, as noted in profiles highlighting his efforts to forge a distinct identity in sports .

WGN-TV and ongoing contributions

In May 2015, Jarrett Payton joined as a sports reporter, initially focusing on delivering on-air segments for the station's news broadcasts. Over time, his role expanded to include anchoring the sports segments for the evening news, particularly the 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. newscasts, where he provides analysis on major sports events. This progression marked his transition from entry-level reporting to a more prominent on-camera presence at the station. Payton has co-anchored GN Sports, WGN-TV's nightly half-hour program dedicated to Chicago sports, since its launch in January 2020. The show features weekly breakdowns of games, performances, and highlights, blending live updates, interviews, and feature stories to engage local audiences. As co-host alongside and others, Payton contributes personal perspectives drawn from his playing experience, enhancing discussions on team strategies and player developments. Payton also co-hosted The Beat, a sports talk show on WGN Radio, starting in 2015, alongside Adam Hoge and Mark Carman, providing analysis on Chicago sports. In the 2020s, Payton's contributions at grew to encompass more extensive Bears coverage, including post-game analysis and interviews with team personnel during the season. He has also served as a guest contributor on national platforms, such as ' Big Game Bound, where he offers game predictions and insights on toss-up matchups. These appearances have broadened his reach beyond broadcasting while maintaining his focus on WGN's Bears-centric reporting. As of 2025, Payton remains a sports anchor and reporter for and co-anchor of GN Sports, approaching a decade of tenure with the station. His work includes notable segments on Bears history, such as retrospectives on the 1985 Super Bowl team and tributes to legends like , often incorporating his firsthand family insights to connect past achievements with current narratives. For his sports reporting, Payton has received multiple Emmy Award nominations since joining .

Other activities

Business ventures

Jarrett Payton has been actively involved in preserving and expanding his father's business legacy through partnerships tied to the brand, including licensing efforts managed by the family estate. While his father founded ventures like Enterprises, which encompassed and beverage projects, Payton contributes to ongoing operations by promoting and extending the family name in community-focused initiatives. This involvement emphasizes sustainable, Chicago-centric enterprises that honor 's entrepreneurial spirit. In his personal ventures, Payton co-owns several Chicago-area establishments, including the high-end sports bar on the Fox in downtown St. Charles, which opened in 2019 and features premium dining alongside sports viewing, and Dukes Northwoods Pub in St. Charles. These restaurant projects highlight Payton's focus on hospitality and local engagement, drawing on his sports background to create community hubs. Additionally, Payton launched Jarrett Payton's All-American Wheat Ale in 2012 through a with Argus Brewery, a 5% ABV noted for its refreshing, fruity profile and American hop subtlety, produced for several years to capitalize on trends. In 2014, he launched the limited-edition JP by Cy Fredrics jewelry line with Cy Fredrics Jewelers, with proceeds benefiting the Jarrett Payton Foundation. Post-2015, following his transition to full-time , Payton diversified with the introduction of Payton Premium in partnership with PapaNicholas Coffee, debuting blends like and Rise and in 2015 to blend motivational themes from his with everyday consumer products. These efforts underscore a strategic shift toward scalable, brand-aligned investments that balance profitability with community ties, often leveraging his public profile for sponsorships and endorsements in the athlete space.

Philanthropy and motivational speaking

In 2011, Jarrett Payton co-founded the Jarrett Payton Foundation with his wife, , to blend education, sports, and mentoring in support of youth development. The organization's core programs include the Jarrett Payton Leadership Academy, an annual youth football camp for children in grades 3 through 8 that emphasizes skill-building, confidence, and life lessons through athletic participation, and PROJECT: NO BULL, an in-school anti-bullying initiative featuring Payton's personal appearances to deliver messages on creating safe environments and combating harassment. These efforts target underprivileged youth by providing access to positive role models and resources that address physical, emotional, and psychological well-being. Payton also maintains active involvement in the family-established Walter & Connie Payton Foundation, which has operated since the 1990s to aid under-resourced communities through various support services. His contributions include participating in the foundation's ongoing initiatives, such as annual community events and programs focused on and stability for those facing economic challenges, continuing the legacy of charitable work originally championed by his parents. In September 2025, Payton collaborated with the and on the launch of the Awards of , recognizing excellence in football and community service. As a , Payton delivers keynotes at corporate events, assemblies, and nonprofit gatherings, drawing on personal anecdotes from his upbringing to underscore themes of resilience, hard work, integrity, and ambition—lessons directly inspired by his father, . His presentations highlight three key pillars—passion, persistence, and presence—to encourage audiences to overcome obstacles and pursue greatness, often tailored for and settings. In November 2024, he delivered the keynote address at the Power of Leadership event hosted by the . A flagship event of the Jarrett Payton Foundation is the annual Payton Power Youth Camp, launched in 2012, which brings together hundreds of young participants for football-focused activities aimed at personal growth and team-building. The camp has fostered partnerships with the , including grants supporting free youth football programs that promote player development and in underserved areas. Through these philanthropic and speaking endeavors, Payton has positively influenced thousands of children and adolescents, providing them with tools for emotional resilience and anti-bullying that tie into broader awareness efforts.

Personal life

Marriage and immediate family

Jarrett Payton married Trisha George on March 4, 2009, in , selecting the date to honor his father's jersey number 34. The couple first connected as friends on before meeting in person. Their wedding reception was held at in . Payton and George have two children: son Jaden Thomas Payton, born on March 23, 2012, and daughter Madison Jordan Payton, born on April 11, 2016. The resides in the western suburbs of . The Paytons prioritize a private life while encouraging their children's involvement in sports; Jaden, an avid player on travel teams, and Madison, who has begun competing in , often participate in athletic activities together. Jarrett balances his career by integrating routines, such as events and weekend games, into his schedule. Trisha Payton plays a key supportive role in Jarrett's professional endeavors, serving as co-founder and of the Jarrett Payton Foundation, where she contributes to its initiatives focused on youth education and mentoring, and occasionally joins him at media events. As of 2025, the family remains settled in the area with no major relocations; Jaden is a 13-year-old attending and pursuing competitive , while nine-year-old Madison is in elementary school and exploring her interests in sports and other hobbies.

Connection to father's legacy

Jarrett Payton has been actively involved in posthumous honors for his father, , particularly through tributes in the and recent Hall of Fame efforts. In 2015, he launched the "34 Days of " social media campaign leading up to the Bears' season opener, sharing photos and stories to celebrate Walter's legacy and engaging fans worldwide. That same year, Jarrett presented an emotional to his father at an award ceremony in , highlighting Walter's enduring influence on sports and . In 2019, he attended the to boost the profile of the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, thanking NFL Commissioner for its prominence. More recently, in 2024, Jarrett served as the official presenter for Bears teammate Steve McMichael's enshrinement into the , drawing parallels to his own presentation of Walter at age 12 in 1993 and emphasizing the "Bears family" bond. Through personal reflections in interviews, speeches, and motivational talks, Jarrett has shared key lessons from his father, including unwavering and , often avoiding direct comparisons to Walter's career while forging his own path. In a 2013 speech titled "Lessons from My Father," Jarrett recounted intimate stories of growing up with Walter, emphasizing values like perseverance and that shaped his life beyond football. He frequently discusses these principles in media appearances, such as a 2023 WGN-TV segment where he recalled Walter's holiday lesson of prioritizing family presence over material gifts. Jarrett participates in annual events like hosting the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year special on ESPN in 2024, using the platform to reflect on his father's example of . These reflections underscore Jarrett's commitment to embodying Walter's teachings without seeking to replicate his athletic achievements. Jarrett contributes to legacy preservation by advocating for bile duct cancer awareness—the disease that claimed Walter's life in 1999—and maintaining family archives through exhibits and media projects. He produced the 2019 documentary Savoring Sweetness, which explores Walter's battle with cancer and , aiming to raise awareness and fund research while honoring his father's courage. The Walter and Connie Payton Foundation, which Jarrett helps operate, co-presented the "Sweetness: The Walter Payton Story" exhibit at the Lake County Discovery Museum in 2004, featuring family archives, memorabilia, and interactive displays to educate visitors on Walter's life. These efforts ensure Walter's story remains accessible and relevant. Jarrett's journey reflects an evolution from profound following Walter's 1999 —when he was just 19—to empowerment by 2025, as seen in his public roles and reflections marking the 25th anniversary of the loss. In a November 2024 statement, Jarrett expressed for the continued support that keeps Walter's alive, noting how it fuels his own initiatives rather than overshadowing them. He has consistently emphasized building an independent legacy in and , as highlighted in a 2019 Athletic profile where he discussed balancing reverence for his father with personal growth. This progression is evident in his avoidance of athletic comparisons, instead channeling Walter's influence into non-football pursuits. The broader impact of Walter's legacy is perpetuated through the collaborative efforts of Jarrett and his sister, Brittney Payton, alongside the family foundation. Brittney, a former FOX 32 Chicago , actively promotes Walter's values through media reflections, such as her 2023 comments on the Man of the Year Award and her involvement in 2025 Hall of Fame programs honoring character in sports. Together with their mother, , they manage the Walter and Payton Foundation, which supports underprivileged youth via scholarships, toy drives, and community programs, directly extending Walter's philanthropic vision established during his lifetime. Jarrett also runs the Jarrett Payton Foundation, focusing on youth empowerment, further amplifying the family's commitment to positive change.

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  35. https://miamihurricanes.com/news/2004/01/01/205539580-2/
  36. https://miamihurricanes.com/history/football-history/
  37. https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story/_/id/1790302
  38. https://1259.newstogo.us/2005/07/31/titans-notebook-no-rest-for-jarrett-payton/
  39. https://sobrosnetwork.com/2021/06/tennessee-titans-throwback-thursday-jarrett-payton/
  40. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/P/PaytJa00/gamelog/2005/
  41. https://www.footballdb.com/players/jarrett-payton-paytoja01
  42. https://www.espn.com/nfl/story?id=2570858
  43. https://www.cbc.ca/sports/football/alouettes-payton-making-a-splash-1.667142
  44. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/argos-give-payton-chance-for-comeback/article1198667/
  45. https://www.cfl.ca/2007/09/14/payton_is_sweetness_and_light/
  46. https://www.cbc.ca/sports/football/payton-paces-alouettes-rout-of-lions-1.672238
  47. https://www.cfl.ca/2009/06/07/argos-sign-jarrett-payton-todd-lowber/
  48. https://www.argonauts.ca/2009/09/09/argos-release-rb-jarrett-payton/
  49. https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/chicago-slaughter-announce-signing-of-jarrett-payton/n-3948695
  50. https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/chicago-slaughter-demolish-kent-predators-71-29-at-sears-centre/n-3998069
  51. https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/chicago-slaughter-defeat-bloomington-extreme-on-the-road/n-3989189
  52. https://www.statscrew.com/football/stats/p-paytojar001
  53. https://robertfeder.dailyherald.com/2014/03/03/jarrett-payton-joins-harry-spike-on-the-game/
  54. https://nfl-pe-stage.azurewebsites.net/news-and-media/press/nfl-offers-sixth-annual-nfl-broadcast-boot-camp-june-18-21/
  55. https://wgnradio.com/down-and-distance/down-and-distance-with-jarrett-payton/
  56. https://wgntv.com/author/jarrett-payton/
  57. https://www.chicagotribune.com/2020/01/16/wgn-tv-is-introducing-gn-sports-a-weeknight-sports-show-hosted-by-dan-roan-and-jarrett-payton/
  58. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_QYyuSSJj28aLUWicZElxRd_VaiOXyCE
  59. https://wgnradio.com/the-beat/the-beat/
  60. https://wgntv.com/video/what-a-day-%25E2%2580%2593-jarrett-payton-breaks-down-bears-game-%25E2%2580%2593-september-15/11075844/
  61. https://fox59.com/sports/the-big-game/big-game-bound-payton-picks-the-week-15-winners/
  62. https://fox2now.com/video/right-place-at-the-right-time-jarrett-payton-on-how-he-got-that-video-of-taylor-swift-and-travis-kelce/9026853/
  63. https://wgntv.com/news/wgn_75th_anniversary/wgn-at-75-the-1985-bears-remain-a-phenomenon/
  64. https://capcityspeakers.com/jarrett-payton/
  65. https://www.shawlocal.com/2019/07/26/st-charles-welcomes-flagship-on-the-fox/a39qawd/
  66. https://www.timeout.com/chicago/things-to-do/new-sports-beers-from-jarrett-payton-and-frank-thomas
  67. https://jarrettpayton.org/pages/papanicholas-coffee
  68. https://www.choosedupage.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Jarrett-Payton-Bio-Short-01.2022.pdf
  69. https://jarrettpayton.org/pages/jarrett-payton-foundation-history
  70. https://jarrettpayton.org/
  71. https://jarrettpayton.org/pages/programs
  72. https://pnl.uic.edu/speaker-2024/
  73. https://www.payton34.com/
  74. https://www.facebook.com/paytonsun/posts/were-excited-to-team-up-w-the-pro-football-hall-of-fame-and-usa-today-on-the-awa/1296795338477047/
  75. https://www.jarrettpayton.com/bookjarrett
  76. https://operations.nfl.com/updates/football-ops/nfl-foundation-awards-grants-to-more-than-400-nfl-players-legends-and-coaches-to-host-free-youth-football-camps/
  77. https://www.shawlocal.com/2012/07/16/walter-payton-never-far-from-mind-of-self-described-social-butterfly/ac4amhn/
  78. http://www.procanes.com/files/d5565ced92d21266e02dc13936b79d23-3863.html
  79. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DHjmXlPS_OL/
  80. https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cq5aHLVtWg8/
  81. https://x.com/paytonson
  82. https://www.instagram.com/reel/C__w0uxPEcc/?hl=en
  83. https://jarrettpayton.org/pages/executive-board
  84. https://www.nursing.uic.edu/news-stories/jarrett-payton-to-deliver-power-of-nursing-leadership-keynote/
  85. https://x.com/MadiJordanP
  86. https://wgntv.com/sports/photos-34-days-of-sweetness-campaign-goes-viral-leading-up-to-bears-opener/
  87. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uxfr6zsvVKU
  88. https://www.chicagobears.com/video/jarrett-payton-presents-steve-mcmichael-into-hall-of-fame
  89. https://www.chicagobears.com/news/road-to-canton-jarrett-payton-reflects-on-lifelong-friendship-with-steve-mcmichael
  90. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BCJAiaYtYQ
  91. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/l_aANvCDDq4
  92. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DD7RGS6xjeQ/?hl=en
  93. https://www.chicagotribune.com/2004/11/10/a-widows-determination-to-impart-life-lessons/
  94. https://www.forbes.com/sites/donyaeger/2022/07/20/a-legacy-of-leadership-walter-paytons-children-celebrate-the-hall-of-famers-birthday/
  95. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qx7C8-n5rXo
  96. https://www.fox32chicago.com/sports/brittney-payton-reflects-on-father-walter-paytons-life-and-legacy-as-statue-unveiled
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