Winter Auction 2017 Ending January 29
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/29/2017
When the Chicago Bears drafted Walter Payton with the 4th overall pick of the 1975 NFL Draft, they were hoping to replace the legendary Gale Sayers. They could never have known that Payton would carve out a legend all on his own. In 13 seasons with the Bears, “Sweetness” re-wrote the record books, reaching the top of the NFL Mountain with a victory in Super Bowl XX. He retired as the NFL’s all-time leader in rushing yardage and touchdowns, and was elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1993.
Goldin Auctions is proud to offer this full road uniform worn by “Sweetness” in the mid 1980s. This size 44 white mesh jersey was manufactured by Wilson and features Payton’s number “34” screen-printed in navy blue and orange on the front, back and sleeves. “PAYTON” is screen-printed in navy blue and orange on a matching white mesh nameplate on the back of the jersey. The sleeves have blue and orange stripes screen-printed with “GSH” printed on the orange stripe of the left sleeve that honor the late George S. Halas. The jersey displays moderate game use with some team repairs on the back and some scuff marks, especially present on the numbers. The Wilson tag is sewn on the bottom front left tail.
Also included in this lot is a pair of navy blue Wilson game pants worn by Payton. These size 26 waist spandex pants have a ribbed orange/white/orange stripe on each side and have a laced crotch area. A navy blue belt and buckle are with the pants. On the white inner waistband is handwritten in black marker “34-87”. A white 11 x 16 inch towel with “SWEETNESS” and a silhouette of a kangaroo have been embroidered in blue, along with “34” that has been embroidered in orange is also included in this lot.
The last item in this lot is a 16 x 20 black and white image of Payton in a white Bears jersey. Payton’s image is of him sitting on the bench looking away from the camera. This uniform has been authenticated by the game use experts at Mears, who have given the jersey, pants and towel a perfect A10 rating. Also included is a LOA from former Chicago Bears Equipment Manager Gary Haeger, who attests that this uniform set was worn in the mid 1980s by Payton.