Who: Walter Payton’s son
Worthwhile links:
http://www.jarrettpayton.com/
http://www.nfl.com/player/jarrettpayton/2505711/profile
http://twitter.com/#!/paytonsun
Breakdown: The oldest of Walter Payton’s three children, Jarrett was born on December 26, 1980. He idolized his father from a young age, and always seemed to relish to attention and perks that came with being the son of a superstar.
Though lacking some of his father’s gifts, Jarrett was a fantastic athlete who excelled as a soccer player before switching to football midway through his time at St. Viator High School. Jarrett went on to play running back at the University of Miami and, briefly, with the NFL’s Tennessee Titans. Today, Jarrett works as a speaker and entertainer.
Pearlman’s take: Though he may well disagree, Jarrett seems to most haunted of all the Paytons. His body features five tattoos of his father, and Jarrett is committed to honoring and promoting his father’s legacy in any way possible.
From Sweetness: At twelve fifty p. m., Jarrett rose to introduce Walter Payton into the Class of 1993. He felt his knees wobble and his hands quiver. This was a new level of pressure—thousands of eyes staring down upon him. His four-minute speech, however, was masterful. Nattily dressed in a beige blazer, white collared shirt, and colorful tie, Jarrett stood behind the podium and brought tears to his father’s eyes. “This is an historic event that my dad, Walter, and the other members of the Payton family will treasure for the rest of our lives,” he said in a high- pitched voice that cracked with adolescence.
“My dad played thirteen seasons and missed only one game while breaking all the running back records. Not only is my dad an excellent athlete, he’s a role model. He’s my biggest role model and my best friend. I’m sure my sister will endorse this: We have a super dad.”
When Jarrett finished, his father rose and consumed him in a hug. Walter Payton strode to the podium, tears streaming beneath his sunglasses and onto his cheeks. He was overwhelmed. By his child. By the event. By the subplots. He had devoted so much time to pooh-poohing and minimizing the moment, and now that the moment was at hand, he found himself being hit by a tidal wave.