Book Review:Never Die Easy: The Autobiography of Walter Payton

Sweetness
If you are looking for NFL insights and X and O's of the game and the secret behind the 1985 Chicago Bears, this isn't necessarily the book to read.
Instead, if you are looking for life lessons of dignity, value and commitment through an extraordinary football player, this is the book to read.
The man nicknamed "Sweetness", Walter Payton's heart is what may have exemplified the nickname more than anything.
This book is unique in the sense that it is made up of interviews and quotes from himself, family and former players and coaches such as Mike Ditka, Mike Singletary, Jim McMahon, Matt Suhey and Jim Brown etc.
Through their testimonies, the warmth and care of a man appears.
Through his battles on and off the field, the strength and commitment of a warrior will rise.
What he did was not take, which recent athletes seem to excel at, but he gave.
He gave the fans his time and love, he gave through charity, he gave advice and encouragement to his teammates, but most of all he gave it his all in whatever he was involved.
It seems that he also did it with a smile.
Having just read Oscar Robertson's biography, you learn that he still holds the anger and resentment towards society and prejudice. Though what Walter experienced was perhaps to a lesser degree it was sad that even he had to face prejudice, but it was sweet to learn that he didn't leave the bitter sour taste with him.
However over the course of the book you learn he is somewhat of a perfectionist.
The blows he took for his unsuccessful bid of a NFL franchise in St. Louis and whatever else failures seem to stay with him.
Situations he couldn't control.
Anything else, he would overcome.
It is sad and unfortunate to know what a wonderful character had passed away so young when the whole world could have used benefitted from him whether being charity or the NFL.
You just hope that many modern athletes learn and are inspired by the life of Walter Payton and wish that the lessons remain.