Walter Payton cemented his legacy on this date in 1984.
Who knew that October 7 had so much Chicago sports lore? Eleven years ago, Jake Arrieta punked the Pirates in the NL Wild Card Game. Ten years ago, Javier Báez put one in the basket in the Cubs’ first win on the road to breaking their World Series drought. As I type this post, the White Sox are set to send the Guardians packing in what would be the Southsiders’ first home clincher since 1906.
And it was on this date in 1984 when Sweetness became the NFL’s all-time leading rusher:
October 7, 1984 Bears legend Walter Payton surpasses the great Jim Brown’s mark of 12,312 yards to become the NFL’s then all-time leading rusher. Sweetness gains 154 yards on 32 carries and scores the winning touchdown in a 20-7 victory over the Saints at Soldier Field. t.co/ZZpzf1XkTt
— Kevin Gallagher (@KevG163) October 7, 2026Ever-classy Bears legend Walter Payton delivers a reflective tribute in the postgame press conference after becoming the NFL’s all-time leading rusher October 7, 1984 t.co/vEAsTtNbR1
— Kevin Gallagher (@KevG163) October 7, 2026Oct. 7, 1984: Walter Payton Becomes the NFL’s All-Time Leading Rusher
In a 20-7 win against the New Orleans Saints, Sweetness passed Jim Brown on the NFL’s all-time rushing leaderboard. Payton finished the Week 6 showdown against New Orleans with 154 yards and a touchdown on 32 carries.
If you’re the type who likes taking a trip down memory lane, then this box score is for you. Quarterback Jim McMahon completed 10 of 14 passes for 128 yards, a touchdown, and a 123.5 passer rating. Matt Suhey led the team in receiving with three catches and 45 yards. Dennis McKinnon’s lone catch was a 16-yard touchdown grab. Hall of Famer Steve “Mongo” McMichael was credited with a sack. But make no mistake, it was Sweetness who was the headliner.
Oct 7, 1984; Chicago, IL, USA; FILE PHOTO; Chicago Bears running back Walter Payton (34) leaps for a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY SportsIf you really want to take a trip down memory lane, you can read the Oct. 8, 1984 Chicago Tribune story on Sweetness’ record-setting 6-yard run. It includes a banger of a quote from Bears Head Coach Mike Ditka.
“When God said he would make a halfback or fullback, he might have said Gale Sayers or he might have said Jim Brown,” Ditka said. “But when he said he would make the best football player who ever lived, he probably said two men: Jim Thorpe and Walter Payton.”
I couldn’t have said it any better myself.
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