Walter Payton is why I became a Chicago Bears fan in California - 31 years and counting. Although this book came out in 2000 I hadn't been able (emotionally) to read it until now. This an excellent account of an excellent football player and man. It is written in a type of interview style that gives you many different voices (Jim Brown, Mike Singletary, Mike Ditka...) saying many of the same thing: Walter Payton was one of a kind. Sweetness wrote much of this himself so you get a first hand account from early childhood to soon before his passing. If I owned or coached a football team, this book would be required reading.
Adam M. (adamamby) reviewed Never Die Easy: The Autobiography of Walter Payton on + 5 more book reviews
This book really lets you inside the personal life of Walter Payton. I was always a fan of the way he played football, but didn't have any idea about the kind of impact he made off the field. He truly was Sweetness
This is an incredibly thought-provoking and insightful book, delving into the life of one of the greatest men who ever lived. Yes, he was definitely one of the greatest NFL football players ever--a legend, to be sure--but even more than that, he was an amazing man in his private life as well. I encourage everyone to read this book, even if you are not a football fan. Walter Payton sets the example for a life we should all strive to live. He was humble, selfless, determined and strong. He was truly the embodiment of his nickname "Sweetness." (Did you know that when he was desperately in need of a new liver, they offered to "bump" his name to the top of the donor list because of who he was, but he refused because it was not fair to all the others who were on the list before him?) A true hero is gone from this earth, but his memory and legacy live on. We will never forget the amazing man who was "Sweetness."
As someone who grew up idolizing Walter Payton, I am probably biased, but I thoroughly enjoyed the many stories of Walter's life.
