Canadian man pens poem celebrating Walter Payton’s birthday

Mississippi is where he was born When racial unrest was the norm And hateful Caucasians With white pigmentations Burned crosses with malice and scorn He played football at Jefferson High Where his talent and strength caught the eye Of scouts and recruiters Who soon were his suitors And offered him gifts on the sly Jackson State was the school he selected Where a statue has now been erected To honor his feats Both in wins and defeats As his ego remained unaffected In a game back in ‘72 He became part of football’s who’s who Scoring seven TDs With comparative ease Then deservedly hoisted a few After college he signed with the Bears As the answer to all of their prayers Their offence had sunk To the point where it stunk So a high draft selection was theirs Then for 12 quite remarkable years Payton turned a whole league on its ears Earning fortune and fame With his muscular frame And the lasting respect of his peers At age 33 he retired Do do all of the things he desired But at age 45 Far too soon Walter died From a liver disease he acquired So we wish Happy Birthday to ‘Sweetness’ Who amazed with his power and fleetness When he carried the ball Every year in the Fall On his way to unrivalled eliteness