Walter Payton: Cheated on his wife, addicted to pain killers

[shag773]

His alleged "transgressions" were pretty much status quo as far as athletes in the 70's and 80's. Not sure why this would be shocking to anyone. It's not interesting subject matter for me. Not going to read it.

 

[Shayn•Da•Pain]

I am absolutely, completely, 100% shocked!!!

 

That this is even a printable story. Newsflash, athletes are young, dumb, and full of cum. :dealwithit:

 

[Rush]

Big deal. I fucking hate Chicago Bear fans sending this guy death threats, etc. People are morons.

Before making an opinion, take a second to read his blog explaining why he's writing about Walter after his death.

http://www.jeffpearlman.com/the-truth/

There is a reason it's the definitive biography, like Dave stated. Bear fans are caught up in the fact that some of this stuff isn't 100% positive. If anything I respect Walter a little more because this humanizes him. It takes him off the pedestal and illustrates that he was exactly like the rest of us...just a lot faster and shit.

I would buy the book if I wasn't already being sent a free copy from Jeff :shifty: He posted on CCS well before the book caught steam getting opinions from fans.

http://www.chicitysports.com/forum/chicago-bears-forum/16853-new-sweetness-book.html

 

[jeffx]

There is nothing in that book that is going to make me think he isn't the greatest running back of all time. Dragging a dead man's character through the mud and embarrassing his family is low class but writers gotta eat too.

I agree, except for the part about Sweetness being the GOAT.

 

[Rush]

One of the writers on ChiCitySports interviewed Pearlman on the phone today.

http://www.chicitysports.com/2011/0...ography-on-former-bears-legend-walter-payton/

Check it out, does anybody feel differently after listening to the interview? People keep thinking that it's a negative slam job, when in fact that isn't the case. SI picked out a small portion of the book that would get the most publicity.

 

[Rush]

One of the writers on ChiCitySports interviewed Pearlman on the phone today.

http://www.chicitysports.com/2011/0...ography-on-former-bears-legend-walter-payton/

Check it out, does anybody feel differently after listening to the interview? People keep thinking that it's a negative slam job, when in fact that isn't the case. SI picked out a small portion of the book that would get the most publicity.

 

[Rayman]

Pearlman's not new to this sort of writing, sadly. But he's damn good at making this stuff compelling. I'm more than likely gonna buy the book.

Like has been stated, a lot of people didn't want to hear that their great, perfect, model of a man actually had demons. I've read the hatemail Pearlman's been posting. 'Tis a riot.

 

[Rush]

Pearlman's not new to this sort of writing, sadly. But he's damn good at making this stuff compelling. I'm more than likely gonna buy the book.

Like has been stated, a lot of people didn't want to hear that their great, perfect, model of a man actually had demons. I've read the hatemail Pearlman's been posting. 'Tis a riot.

They also don't realize the "bad" is only a small fraction of the book. Pearlman spent 4 chapters on Walter's playing at Jackson State alone.

 

[dave]

Pearlman's book on Roger Clemens was awesome. I have his Barry Bonds book on my Kindle, but haven't read it yet.

 

[bucky]

Check it out, does anybody feel differently after listening to the interview? People keep thinking that it's a negative slam job, when in fact that isn't the case. SI picked out a small portion of the book that would get the most publicity.

I look at it like this. If your going to write a biography that has negative things in it, either get permission from the person, or if deceased, family (wife). If you don't have permission don't write it. And if you do write it, then have the BALLS to write it when the person is still ALIVE, or wait till his immediate relatives are gone.

Write something about Thomas Jefferson. Nobody to hurt there. Don't write some real negative things that can and will hurt the wife and kids, no matter how many positive things are in the book.

At least Clemens and Bonds are still alive for this turd to face. And as a Packer fan, I hate the Bears. I just think this is such a pussy/unethical move.

 

[Rush]

He was an icon, his ENTIRE LIFE, including his family being affected by stuff the media writes, is what he traded in for getting paid hundreds of thousands/millions of dollars to play football at the highest stage.

 

[bucky]

He was an icon, his ENTIRE LIFE, including his family being affected by stuff the media writes, is what he traded in for getting paid hundreds of thousands/millions of dollars to play football at the highest stage.

Then have some BALLS and write it when the guy is still alive, and can face you. Don't pussy out and do it after he dies. It's unethical. As Captain Hook would say from Peter Pan, it's Poor Form (when he's not singing about some damn crocodile).

 

[DJ Rhude]

He's still Sweetness on the field, personal life is just that

 

[Aso]

If he didn't want to bring shame upon his family he shouldn't of been fucking around in the first place.

 

[NAHSTE]

I look forward to about 800 more of these stories breaking about our "role models" within the next 20 years.

 

[1ke]

Then have some BALLS and write it when the guy is still alive, and can face you. Don't pussy out and do it after he dies. It's unethical. As Captain Hook would say from Peter Pan, it's Poor Form (when he's not singing about some damn crocodile).

When Walter was still alive, the author was nothing more than a columnist for SI, and in his words "no position to write a book".

He spent multiple years on this book, and interviewed more than 600 people. I just dont get the timing issue some people have (your not the first Bucky). I mean, Walter aint getting anymore dead.... If not now, then when, 5 years, 10 years, never? There is a WHOLE BUNCH more to this book that the piece SI took.

 

[FedEx227]

I look forward to about 800 more of these stories breaking about our "role models" within the next 20 years.

Exactly. Love them for their on the field shit. If you want your athletes to be squeaky clean, then well... stop watching sports.

Barkley said it loud and clear 20 years ago, he's not a role model. No athlete is a role model, they are humans that just happen to be really awesome at a particular sport.

This guy wrote the biography of Walter, this stuff was apart of his life, would you rather be lied to? Either way, it doesn't make a difference, still an exceptional ballplayer and a really good guy when I met him, still have his autographed hat in my room.

 

[Rush]

Then have some BALLS and write it when the guy is still alive, and can face you. Don't pussy out and do it after he dies. It's unethical. As Captain Hook would say from Peter Pan, it's Poor Form (when he's not singing about some damn crocodile).

You're an idiot. Walter Payton was an icon. He exchanged his privacy when he agreed to get paid hundreds of thousands/millions of dollars to play at the highest stage. You have ZERO privacy.

Why write a biography when somebody is alive? Then you can't write about the scope of their entire life. Seems very logical to me.

I'm the biggest Bears fan here, I have the fucking logo tattooed on my body. However, I'm not eating up this illogical bullshit.

 

[Rush]

Exactly. Love them for their on the field shit. If you want your athletes to be squeaky clean, then well... stop watching sports.

Barkley said it loud and clear 20 years ago, he's not a role model. No athlete is a role model, they are humans that just happen to be really awesome at a particular sport.

This guy wrote the biography of Walter, this stuff was apart of his life, would you rather be lied to? Either way, it doesn't make a difference, still an exceptional ballplayer and a really good guy when I met him, still have his autographed hat in my room.

I wish every fan was like you. 100%.

I am tired of the mob mentality and "LET'S SPIT ON PEARLMAN, LET'S BURN HIS BOOK, I HOPE HE GETS ASS CANCER" ETC.

 

[dave]

Then have some BALLS and write it when the guy is still alive, and can face you. Don't pussy out and do it after he dies. It's unethical. As Captain Hook would say from Peter Pan, it's Poor Form (when he's not singing about some damn crocodile).

I doubt Pearlman would have been old enough to write the book while Payton was still alive.