Lonza Hardy Jr. 

LEGENDARY WALTER PAYTON TO BE MEMORIALIZED
AT JACKSON STATE AND AT OTHER SWAC SCHOOLS

    JACKSON, Miss. — Walter Payton, the NFL's all-time rushing leader, will
be remembered during a memorial service at his college alma mater, Jackson
State University, on Monday, November 8.  The memorial service is scheduled
for 12 noon at the University Park Auditorium on JSU's campus. The public is
invited.
    In lieu of flowers, JSU officials request that donations be made to the
Walter Payton Scholarship Fund and earmarked for JSU athletics.  Donations to
the fund should be sent to: Jackson State University, Development Foundation,
P.O. Box 17144, Jackson, MS 39217.
    Additionally, the JSU athletics department is requesting that motorists
drive with their headlights on in tribute to Payton through Monday, November
8.  The university's flag will be flying at half staff through November 8. 
All of the member schools of the Southwestern Athletic Conference which are
hosting football games on Saturday, November 6 and Saturday, November 13 have
been asked to pause for a moment of silence in remembrance of Payton prior to
kick off of those games.
    Payton, a 1974 graduate of Jackson State, died on Monday, November 1 at
his home near Chicago, Ill. after suffering from a rare form of liver
disease. He was 45.
    During his collegiate years at JSU from 1971-74, Payton was one the most
electrifying ballcarriers in the nation. He finished his college career with
584 carries for 3,563 yards and 66 touchdowns.  He ranks No.4 on the
Southwestern Athletic Conference's all-time rushing chart.
    In 1973, Payton led the nation in scoring with 160 points. Until
recently, he held nine JSU school records.
    Payton's best single-game performance occurred in a 1972 game against
Lane College.  In that contest,  he garnered 279 yards rushing, seven
touchdowns and 48 points, all school single-game records.  The Tigers beat
Lane, 72-0.
    Payton went on to become the fourth pick in the first round of the 1975
NFL draft by the Chicago Bears, culminating his career as the NFL's all-time
leading rusher with 16,726 yards and 125 career touchdowns.  He's been
inducted in the SWAC, NFL, Mississippi and JSU Sports Halls of Fame.
    "Walter was a very special athlete....a great football player," stated
Robert Braddy, JSU's interim athletics director.  "He's the greatest athlete
to come through Jackson State University's doors.  He left a legacy here. We
are certainly going to miss him."