Football Time to tear down Walter Payton, I guess... - Page 2

Brock · 09-28-2011, 07:52 PM

Book: Walter Payton abused painkillers, discussed suicide
By Chris Chase

A new biography of Walter Payton details the Hall of Fame running back's frequent drug use, extramarital affairs and the crippling loneliness that plagued him after his retirement from the NFL.

Sports Illustrated's Jeff Pearlman spent more than two years working on "Sweetness: The Enigmatic Life of Walter Payton" and uncovered startling details about the Chicago Bears running back who was so highly regarded that the NFL named its Man of the Year Award after him.

The book is set for release next week. Excerpts appear in this week's Sports Illustrated. In one section, Pearlman describes Payton's drug use:

The burden of loneliness and his marriage weren't Payton's only problems. As a player he had numbed his maladies with pills and liquids, usually supplied by the Bears. Payton popped Darvon robotically during his playing days—says Holmes, "I'd see him walk out of the locker room with jars of painkillers, and he'd eat them like they were a snack"—and also lathered his body with dimethyl sulfoxide, a topical analgesic commonly used to treat horses. Now that he was retired, the self-medicating only intensified. Payton habitually ingested a cocktail of Tylenol and Vicodin. In a particularly embarrassing episode, in 1988, Payton visited a handful of dental offices, complaining of severe tooth pain. He received several prescriptions for morphine and hit up a handful of drugstores to have them filled. When one of the pharmacists noticed the activity, he contacted the police, who arrived at Payton's house and discussed the situation.

Pearlman also details Payton's use of the painkiller Darvon during his playing days and how he equipped an RV with nitrous oxide to use during training camp.

Once Payton's career ended, he battled depression and often discussed suicide with close friends. Two failing relationships contributed to his malaise. Pearlman describes how Payton's estranged wife and girlfriend both attended his Hall of Fame induction ceremony -- "they were like ships passing in the night," Payton's assistant said -- and made the triumphant weekend one of the worst of Payton's life.

Like Andre Agassi's recent autobiography, in which he detailed his previously unknown drug use, "Sweetness" will be most remembered for the salacious tales revealed within. They'll dominate discussion over the next few days and obscure the brighter stories included in the book: How Payton delighted a cancer-ridden youngster on a flight or those moments when he'd play catch with kids before signing their football. The drug use and affairs will make some forget about how graceful Payton was on the field and how strong he was when facing terminal illness, and how he grew up in segregated Mississippi and calmed racial tensions there with his on-field heroics.

As "Sweetness" shows, our heroes are always more complex than we know.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/shu...urn=nfl-wp8200

**dirk digler** · 09-28-2011, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brock

Uh, because it isn't any of your business?

Since when are public figures off limits?

Spott · 09-28-2011, 09:27 PM

I'd much rather read a book about how much of an arrogant prick Emmitt Smith is.

**dirk digler** · 09-28-2011, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HemiEd

True, but it was shocking to see on the news. It would be about like having them run something like this about DT on the KC news.

Some stories are just better left untold.

There have been stories about DT in the newspapers or on TV about his multiple multiple multiple bastard children.

Hammock Parties · 09-28-2011, 09:28 PM

Next time on where are they now:

Priest Holmes and his love of gay brothels

Brock · 09-28-2011, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dirk digler

Since when are public figures off limits?

It isn't anybody's business. He has a family, but I'm sure you don't give a flying **** about that.

zonachief · 09-28-2011, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gif Horse

Next time on where are they now:

Priest Holmes and his love of gay brothels

You don't say that!

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

**dirk digler** · 09-28-2011, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brock

It isn't anybody's business. He has a family, but I'm sure you don't give a flying **** about that.

As long as it is the truth I really don't have a problem with it.

So if a book came out about Michael Jackson and in the book it was disclosed he molested kids they shouldn't print it because of his family and because he is dead?

**HemiEd** · 09-28-2011, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dirk digler

There have been stories about DT in the newspapers or on TV about his multiple multiple multiple bastard children.

Yeah, but I don't like hearing it, and don't really want to know about it.
Thus my point.
It is his families business, and I would prefer to keep the good on field memories of him.

Consistent1 · 09-28-2011, 09:38 PM

The average NFL players overall drug usage would blow your mind. But ****, they make money.

Consistent1 · 09-28-2011, 09:39 PM

Even with the GH, test suspension and all that....they still have pain.

**Iowanian** · 09-28-2011, 09:40 PM

I guess I believe it.

I was having a beer with a former nfl player an hour ago who was talking about taking 1000 vicodin on 1 bender after an injury, and preferred to wash them down with vodka...and asked if I had any.

niblet · 09-28-2011, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KcMizzou

Everybody has their personal demons... leave the man alone.

Let's be fair, not everyone's personal demons are equivalent. Payton is no Bundy, but at the same time I'd like to think most of us don't abuse drugs and have affairs.

The man evidently wasn't a saint, and I don't exactly look up to athletes in creating my moral code anyway. Keep his legacy on the field.

Brock · 09-28-2011, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dirk digler

As long as it is the truth I really don't have a problem with it.

So if a book came out about Michael Jackson and in the book it was disclosed he molested kids they shouldn't print it because of his family and because he is dead?

That's stupid. There were many, many stories about Jackson when he was still alive, it wouldn't change after he died.

Nobody anywhere ever had anything bad to say about Walter Payton, but now that he's dead it's perfectly kosher to drag out a bunch of dirty laundry. It's bullshit.

**dirk digler** · 09-28-2011, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HemiEd

Yeah, but I don't like hearing it, and don't really want to know about it.
Thus my point.
It is his families business, and I would prefer to keep the good on field memories of him.

Where do you draw the line then? Is it just dead HOF players personal lives we can't talk about?

Backwards Masking · 09-28-2011, 10:07 PM

he was hardly the first guy to have a drinking / drug and fidelity problems. they were a part of his story, and are what they are, i don't think it trashes his legacy or drags his name through the mud to write about them. it shows he had flaws, and, screwed up as it may be, will help sell books. certainly does nothing to tarnish his legacy on the field.

RIP Walt

09-28-2011, 07:52 PM
Brock Say hello to my little friend Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Larryville Casino cash: $9598422	Time to tear down Walter Payton, I guess... Book: Walter Payton abused painkillers, discussed suicide By Chris Chase A new biography of Walter Payton details the Hall of Fame running back's frequent drug use, extramarital affairs and the crippling loneliness that plagued him after his retirement from the NFL. Sports Illustrated's Jeff Pearlman spent more than two years working on "Sweetness: The Enigmatic Life of Walter Payton" and uncovered startling details about the Chicago Bears running back who was so highly regarded that the NFL named its Man of the Year Award after him. The book is set for release next week. Excerpts appear in this week's Sports Illustrated. In one section, Pearlman describes Payton's drug use: The burden of loneliness and his marriage weren't Payton's only problems. As a player he had numbed his maladies with pills and liquids, usually supplied by the Bears. Payton popped Darvon robotically during his playing days—says Holmes, "I'd see him walk out of the locker room with jars of painkillers, and he'd eat them like they were a snack"—and also lathered his body with dimethyl sulfoxide, a topical analgesic commonly used to treat horses. Now that he was retired, the self-medicating only intensified. Payton habitually ingested a cocktail of Tylenol and Vicodin. In a particularly embarrassing episode, in 1988, Payton visited a handful of dental offices, complaining of severe tooth pain. He received several prescriptions for morphine and hit up a handful of drugstores to have them filled. When one of the pharmacists noticed the activity, he contacted the police, who arrived at Payton's house and discussed the situation. Pearlman also details Payton's use of the painkiller Darvon during his playing days and how he equipped an RV with nitrous oxide to use during training camp. Once Payton's career ended, he battled depression and often discussed suicide with close friends. Two failing relationships contributed to his malaise. Pearlman describes how Payton's estranged wife and girlfriend both attended his Hall of Fame induction ceremony -- "they were like ships passing in the night," Payton's assistant said -- and made the triumphant weekend one of the worst of Payton's life. Like Andre Agassi's recent autobiography, in which he detailed his previously unknown drug use, "Sweetness" will be most remembered for the salacious tales revealed within. They'll dominate discussion over the next few days and obscure the brighter stories included in the book: How Payton delighted a cancer-ridden youngster on a flight or those moments when he'd play catch with kids before signing their football. The drug use and affairs will make some forget about how graceful Payton was on the field and how strong he was when facing terminal illness, and how he grew up in segregated Mississippi and calmed racial tensions there with his on-field heroics. As "Sweetness" shows, our heroes are always more complex than we know. http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/shu...urn=nfl-wp8200
Posts: 47,314

09-28-2011, 09:27 PM	#17
Spott Court Jester Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Orlando Casino cash: $1602400	I'd much rather read a book about how much of an arrogant prick Emmitt Smith is.
Posts: 20,036

09-28-2011, 09:28 PM	#19
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $3230478	Next time on where are they now: Priest Holmes and his love of gay brothels __________________ Chiefs game films
Posts: 285,766

09-28-2011, 09:38 PM	#24
Consistent1 _____________ Join Date: Aug 2005 Casino cash: $10004900	The average NFL players overall drug usage would blow your mind. But ****, they make money.
Posts: 3,096

09-28-2011, 09:39 PM	#25
Consistent1 _____________ Join Date: Aug 2005 Casino cash: $10004900	Even with the GH, test suspension and all that....they still have pain.
Posts: 3,096

09-28-2011, 09:40 PM	#26
Iowanian Supporter Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Utopia Casino cash: $3818454	I guess I believe it. I was having a beer with a former nfl player an hour ago who was talking about taking 1000 vicodin on 1 bender after an injury, and preferred to wash them down with vodka...and asked if I had any.
Posts: 61,967

09-28-2011, 10:07 PM	#30
Backwards Masking Bustle in your hedgerow? Join Date: May 2011 Location: NOT Missouri Casino cash: $10004900	he was hardly the first guy to have a drinking / drug and fidelity problems. they were a part of his story, and are what they are, i don't think it trashes his legacy or drags his name through the mud to write about them. it shows he had flaws, and, screwed up as it may be, will help sell books. certainly does nothing to tarnish his legacy on the field. RIP Walt
Posts: 2,418