The Chicago Bears Training Camp - Walter Payton, We Miss You



Kids dream of being a pro; it starts in backyards, front yards, and sand lots.

Revie Sory stops to take a picture with Jill. Revie was an offensive lineman. While my kids were growing up, I liked to take them to the Milwaukee Zoo and to watch the Chicago Bears in their training camp in Lake Forest, Illinois.

Walter Payton was a very nice person. We miss him. Walter was from Mississippi.

Doug Plank with Tommy. When Doug left the Bears he was still driving the same car. He saved his money and bought a McDonald's franchise in Phoenix. Doug was a fearless hitter, but like Butkus and Sayers, he was on the Bears when they were not very good. Gary Fencik told my son that Doug taped weights to his hands when he ran.

Me with Gary Fencik. He was a wide receiver in college and converted by the Bears to a safety. Don Shula said one of his greatest mistakes was letting Gary go.  Gary is from Barrington, Illinois. My son showed Gary this picture when Gary was signing autographs in one of my son's stores. Gary couldn't believe he ever wore shorts like that. He told Tom a story about how a lady cop wouldn't give him a speeding ticket because she said her dad would kill her.

Tom with Doug Bufone. Doug was an excellent linebacker, but the Bears in those days never had a good offence.

Noah Jackson opened up a lot of holes for Walter to scamper through. Noah was an underrated offensive lineman.

Walter Payton signs a banner. The players called him Sweetness. Once fans started getting autographs to sell them, the players were less inclined to sign them. We started just asking for a picture.