It was on this day in 1984 that Chicago Bears’ running back Walter Payton surpassed Jim Brown as the NFL’s all-time leading rusher. Payton gained his 12,313th yard in a game played against the New Orleans Saints.

Walter Payton was a staple in the Chicago Bears backfield throughout the 1970’s and 80’s.  He consistently put up great numbers year in and year out both on the ground and in the passing game.  Payton was a major contributor to the 1985 Chicago Bears team, considered by many as one of the greatest teams of all-time.  They compiled a 15-1 regular season record and went on to beat the New England Patriots in SuperBowl XX, 46-10, to finish the season at 18-1.

Payton would finish his career with 16,726 rushing yards, a record that would stand for almost 15 years.  In October of 2002, Dallas Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith would surpass his childhood hero to become the NFL’s all-time leading rusher, a record he still holds to this day.

Here is Payton’s record breaking run.

Notable Birthdays

Priest Holmes, NFL – Born October 7th 1973 (age 38) in Fort Smith, Arkansas

Charles Woodson, NFL – October 7th 1977 (age 34) in Fremont, Ohio

Evan Longoria, MLB – Born October 7th 1985 (age 26) in Downey, California