Remembering Walter Payton, the greatest Bear — who set a good pick, too

Twenty years ago, the world lost a legend: Chicago Bear’s Number One player of all time, Walter Payton. Who knew that “Sweetness” would leave such a lasting mark?

We marveled at his electric talent, and his character both on and off the field. In the early 80s, as a young teacher/basketball coach, I had the chance to compete with Walter and his Bear buddies in off-season pick-up basketball at Buffalo Grove High School. Walter loved to tease everyone and always had fun. He called me “Spider,” an apt nickname for my 6-foot, 150-pound frame.

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The first time Walter removed his shirt, to divide teams into shirts- and-skins, we were awed. Early on, I learned not to dribble with my back to him. Walter tugged my gym shorts to my ankles, exposing my jock strap, then stole the ball for a giggling break-away lay-up.

During time-outs at benefit games, I remember how Walter would deposit little kids into open trash bins and how they all laughed in delight. Yes, Sweetness, a perfect name for Walter: for his greatness, his kindness, and the smile he gave me as he helped me off the gym floor.

He set a pretty good pick too.

Chuck Gress, Northbrook

Give Mayor Lightfoot some credit on the strike

I’m glad Lori Lightfoot is our mayor and I’m tired of her being blamed for the ungrateful Chicago Teachers Union prolonging the strike. Thank goodness, Mayor Lightfoot has been an advocate for taxpayers, Chicagoans who foot the bill and have only the mayor in our corner. If Mayor Lightfoot didn’t stand up to the CTU, the CTU would be a total dictatorship.

Even though the original offer to the union was generous and fair, the CTU held children hostage. The CTU didn’t really negotiate until the end of the strike, when they decided to bring up yet another demand of paid strike days, and they still got a great deal.

I believe in unions and in fact I belong to two unions, but the CTU just seems greedy. And rich, as their paid ads in local newspapers during the strike illustrate.

I don’t blame Mayor Lightfoot for “drawing a line in the sand.” The original offer was certainly more than many Chicagoans will get. Members of the CTU don’t know how lucky they are. If I was off for two weeks, I wouldn’t be paid for it, and that is the way it works for many workers.

Then, after the CTU finally accepted the offer, they were extremely insolent and discourteous.

Please give Mayor Lightfoot some credit!

Jean Scott, Irving Park

The city gave teachers far too much

As a Chicagoan who pays property taxes and is part of a four-generation Chicago Public Schools family, I am outraged at one item in particular in the settlement of the Chicago Teachers Union strike.

I understand that CPS must add two or three days to the school calendar to meet state requirements, but the addition of days beyond that is beyond outrage. I don’t recall that the 45,000 people who struck General Motors recently are being paid for any of the days they were on strike. Earning pay while being on strike is egregious.

And just as egregious is another city give-away to the CTU, the pension pickup, where CPS pays 7% of the 9% employee contribution to the pension fund. No employer I ever had paid my share of my contribution to Social Security.

Even though I have a grandson in seventh grade at a Chicago public school, I am enraged by the make-up inclusion in this contract and the on-going pension pickup.

Bob Manewith, West Ridge