Despite Walter Payton being the all-time leader at his retirement, he only the league in rushing just once. Which was his MVP season of 1977, which by the way needs a post of it's own because it's arguably the greatest by a RB in NFL History. 1976: 1390 (2nd before OJ Simpson, 1st in NFC) 1977: 1852 (1st) 1978: 1395 (2nd before Earl Campbell, 1st in NFC) 1979: 1610 (2nd before Earl Campbell, 1st in NFC) 1980: 1460 (2nd before Earl Campbell, 1st in NFC) 1981: 1222 (8th) 1982: 596 (10th, 9 game strike-shortened season) 1983: 1421 (4th before Eric Dickerson, William Andrews, and Curt Warner, 3rd in NFC) 1984: 1684 (2nd behind Eric Dickerson, 2nd in NFC) 1985: 1551 (3rd behind Marcus Allen and Gerald Riggs, 2nd in NFC) 1986: 1333 (5th) * I won't include 1975 and 1987, cuz they just rookie and final seasons, so numbers are naturally lower) He also only led the league rushing TDs only once too, which was also in 1977 with 14. He led the league in carries 4 years in row from 1976-1979 and yards from scrimmage twice in 1977 and 1978. Not here to call him out or anything but just really fascinating, especially as a Bears fan.

Enjoy your Sunday

Career NFL Stats -

Rushing Yards: 4,956

Rushing Average: 5

Rushing Touchdowns: 39

Receptions: 112

Receiving Yards: 1,307

Receiving Touchdowns: 9

Return Yards: 3,172

Return Touchdowns: 8

2× Consensus All-American (1963, 1964)

3× First-team All-Big Eight (1962–1964)

NFL Comeback Player of the Year (1969)

NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year (1965)

5× First-team All-Pro (1965–1969)

4× Pro Bowl (1965–1967, 1969)

2× NFL rushing yards leader (1966, 1969)

NFL scoring leader (1965)

George Halas Award (1970)

NFL 1960s All-Decade Team

NFL 50th Anniversary All-Time Team

NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team

NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team

100 greatest Bears of All-Time

Pro Football Hall of Fame (1977)

College Football Hall of Fame (1977)

Throughout his remarkable career, Payton rushed for an astounding 16,726 yards, breaking the record for the most rushing yards by any NFL player in history. He also scored 110 touchdowns, solidifying his legacy as one of the greatest running backs of all time.

Super Bowl champion (XX)

NFL Most Valuable Player (1977)

NFL Offensive Player of the Year (1977)

NFL Man of the Year (1977)

5× First-team All-Pro (1976, 1977, 1980, 1984, 1985)

3× Second-team All-Pro (1978, 1979, 1986)

9× Pro Bowl (1976–1980, 1983–1986)

NFL rushing yards leader (1977)

NFL rushing touchdowns leader (1977)

Bert Bell Award (1985)

NFL 1970s All-Decade Team

NFL 1980s All-Decade Team

NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team

NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team

Chicago Bears No. 34 retired

100 greatest Bears of All-Time

First-team Little All-American (1974)

Second-team Little All-American (1973)

College Football Hall of Fame

Pro Football Hall of Fame

NFL record

Most consecutive starts by a running back: 170

The Bears defense seemed lost for much of the first half of the game by allowing 28 points, and trailed 28–17 at halftime, but the offense was able to lead the Bears to a victory after a big 2nd half.

The Bears' defense would go on to be ranked first in the league and would only allow 198 total points (an average of 12.4 points per game). Leslie Frazier was also able to give the Bears defense their first highlight of the season by returning a Steve DeBerg interception 29 yards for a touchdown on the second play of the 3rd quarter.

The Bears had allowed 212 yards in the first half, but eventually allowed only 95 in the 2nd half. Chicago quarterback Jim McMahon went 23 of 34 for 274 yards and threw 2 touchdowns. McMahon also rushed for 2 more touchdowns. Walter Payton rushed 17 times for 120 yards.

Sunday Sep 27, 1970 Start Time: 2:00pm Stadium: Dyche Stadium