Chicago Bears all-time Mount Rushmore

RB Walter Payton (1975-87)

Bears’ fans knew that this one was coming and there was no way the Mount Rushmore would be complete without Sweetness himself. Walter Payton was one of the best running backs football has ever seen and made himself one of the best players in the history of the Chicago Bears.

Taken fourth overall out of Jackson State in 1975, Payton had some big shoes to fill as the Bears were searching for their next great running back after Gale Sayers retired in 1972. Payton stepped up to the plate immediately, starting from Day 1 and earning the league’s MVP award in 1977 after rushing for 1,852 yards and 14 touchdowns.

The Bears’ success on offense in the 1980s was built on a strong rushing attack powered by Payton, who got as much work as he could handle. Payton was the top back on the Bears’ 1985 title winning team, taking home the NFC’s Offensive Player of the Year award for good measure.

At the time of his retirement in 1987, Payton held football’s all-time record for rushing yardage with 16,626, a mark that stood until Emmitt Smith broke it in 2002. Payton is still considered by many to be one of the best running backs who ever lived, so it should be no surprise he is the main face on the Bears’ all-time Mount Rushmore.