 Posted: Fri 5:01, 18 Mar 2011 Post subject: This Day In Sports Sweetness Rushes Into The Histo |
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| This Day In Sports: Sweetness Rushes Into The History Books
October 7, 1984: A crowd of 53,752 strong was on hand at Soldier Field today to see Bears running back Walter Payton Jersey, or Sweetness as he was known, become the NFL's all-time leading rusher, breaking Jim Brown's old record of 12,312 yards. Walter Payton Jersey gained the record-breaking yards on a play called "Toss 28 Weak," taking the pitch to his left behind fullback Matt Suhey and guard Mark Bortz to gain six yards on the play. He finished the day with 154 yards in a 20-7 win over the Saints and a total of 12,400 career yards, 88 more than Brown. Bears officials wanted to stop the game and hold a ceremony when he broke the record, but Walter Payton Jersey thought the team's momentum was more important so he took only a few minutes for some hugs, handshakes, and to turn to ball over to a Pro Football Hall of Fame official. After the game, however, Walter Payton Jersey did have time to accept a congratulatory phone call from then-President Ronald Reagan. Walter Payton Jersey, who would play for the Bears for two more seasons, finished his career with 16,726 yards. That mark held up as the NFL's rushing record until 2002, when Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith surpassed the total in a Week 8 loss to the Seahawks. Smith currently owns the NFL's career rushing record with 18,355 yards. To read more about Walter Payton Jersey, a Hall of Famer who died in 1999 at the age of 45, check this out. |
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