Book reveals new details on life of hall of famer walter payton. I have no respect for him, mike ditka said of author pearlman. Pearlman delved into the complex life this american sports giant. The enigmatic life of walter payton, is sure to draw plenty of attention. The book by the mahopac native has been received with mix emotions. Pearlmans book portrays payton, who died in 1999, as a human beinga legendary player and great spirit but a tormented, sometimes selfish, and entirely imperfect man. The enigmatic life of walter payton ebook written by jeff pearlman. Jeff pearlmans book, which includes allegations of payton, who died in 1999, being suicidal, abusing pain medication and being unfaithful to his. The enigmatic life of walter payton, and fails to recall payton as. Oct, 2011 walter payton is back in the public consciousness following the release of the controversial biography, sweetness.
Eddie payton, the former nfl player who is best known as the brother of the great walter payton, is releasing a book next week about his brother, saying that he thinks theres a record that. Pearlman explores the walter payton who never turned down a fan, the walter payton who acquired autographed sports memorabilia to raise money for sick children, the walter payton who liked to joke. He presents walter payton in all of his flaws and contradictions yet leaves you in the end with a much deeper appreciation of an uncommon man. Sep 30, 2011 since an excerpt of jeff pearlman s new book, sweetness. By no means does pearlman overlook paytons greatness on the field. An excerpt of a new biography of walter payton has sparked outcries, but critics. The enigmatic life of walter payton, the author assesses payton was addicted to prescription drugs, abused laughing gas, and had a mistress. At the mahopac library, before an audience of about 30, mr. I entered this project with a love of walter payton. Sports illustrated ran an excerpt that did pearlman no favors it. Pearlman s a pro with two bestsellers to his credit. Oct 08, 2011 doug miles radio interview with jeff pearlman author sweetness, the enigmatic life of walter payton.
The enigmatic life of walter payton by jeff pearlman 2012, paperback at the best online prices at. This is one of the featured books on the book report this week and i must say it sounds very interesting. Jeff pearlman is the author of four previous books, including two new york times. Sep 30, 2011 author jeff pearlman, whose new biography says walter payton abused drugs and cheated on his wife, says he greatly admires payton and is taken aback by the harsh reaction his book has received. Pearlmans book provides much to enhance that image, and a bit to tarnish it as well. Jeff pearlmans book, which includes allegations of. The book was written by jeff pearlman and is called sweetness. Oct 14, 2011 last tuesday, author jeff pearlmans fifth book hit the bookstores and the online world. Many fans of the late walter payton were stunned by the depiction of the bears hall of fame running back as a flawed human being in jeff pearlmans controversial book. Last tuesday, author jeff pearlmans fifth book hit the bookstores and the online world. Jeff pearlman does the work of firstrate biography in his addictively readable sweetness. Payton as perhaps the greatest allaround football player ever, a generous teammate and a loving father.
It paints the greatest runner in chicago bears, possibly nfl history as a. But to those who knew him, even close friends and family, he was an enigma. Since an excerpt of jeff pearlmans new book, sweetness. The first definitive biography of chicago bears superstar walter payton. I was going to give pearlmans book 4 stars rather than 5 stars because i found at least three errors in the text, which shows either sloppiness or lack of competent editing. Nicknamed sweetness, walter payton was a star running back for the chicago bears, establishing multiple records and earning nine pro bowl selections during his hall of. Walter payton is without a doubt one of the best running backs to ever play in the nfl, but a new book set to hit stores soon reveals disturbing details about the late chicago bears hall of famer. So hang tight for the next bunch of weeks as jeffpearlman. Sweetness book is deep, cumulative look at walter payton. A few of paytons former teammates and colleagues have. They spent about 30 minutes in an interview at paytons home in arlington heights, ill. If youre going to wait 12 years after somebodys passed, come on.
Pearlmans a pro with two bestsellers to his credit. After eight years of design excellence, i decided it was time for an upgrade. Sep 12, 2011 author jeff pearlman discusses the motivation behind his new book, sweetness. Sep 28, 2012 many fans of the late walter payton were stunned by the depiction of the bears hall of fame running back as a flawed human being in jeff pearlman s controversial book. He has written three books about baseball, three about football and one on basketball. A new book on football star walter payton claims that the hall of fame inductee running back abused drugs, had affairs, and threatened to commit suicide sports author jeff pearlmans book. Sweetness and the apologies that never came jeff pearlman. Doug miles radio interview with jeff pearlman author sweetness, the enigmatic life of walter payton. The enigmatic life of walter payton, and fails to recall payton as the happygolucky warrior bears fans remember. The enigmatic life of walter payton, which depicts mr. Author jeff pearlman discusses the motivation behind his new book, sweetness. Walter payton described as drug abusing adulterer in. Pearlman said he interviewed 678 people for the book, which he. He was the author of the infamous john rocker interview in sports illustrated.
The author includes both the good and the bad in his life which makes walter payton human like the rest of us. Paytons brother takes stab at setting record straight. Walter payton book angers mike ditka, former bears players. Jeff pearlman comes home to discusses his book and the life. Though some of walter paytons 19541999 records have been broken since his 1987 retirement, his image as a gridiron hero, and arguably footballs greatestever running back, has endured. Sep 29, 2011 jeff pearlman is an american sports writer. The enigmatic life of walter payton by jeff pearlman. Walter payton was insanely curious, and his interest in other people. An extraordinarily gifted athlete known for his ferocious stiffarm, his refusal to run out of bounds and his unparalleled work ethic, payton was, and is, beloved by football fans. Author jeff pearlman, whose new biography says walter payton abused drugs and cheated on his wife, says he greatly admires payton and is. The point isnt to question pearlmans accuracy, but to question his purpose in writing the book. Eddie payton, walters brother and one of my alltime least favorite people, continues to talk nonsense about me and the book.
Sep 28, 2011 walter payton is without a doubt one of the best running backs to ever play in the nfl, but a new book set to hit stores soon reveals disturbing details about the late chicago bears hall of famer. Jeff pearlman born 1972 is an american sports writer. The enigmatic life of walter payton reprint by pearlman, jeff isbn. The enigmatic life of walter payton, is the two and a half year project of jeff pearlman, a former sports illustrated senior writer, who claims to have interviewed nearly 700 hundred people during its making. Sep 30, 2011 a new book on football star walter payton claims that the hall of fame inductee running back abused drugs, had affairs, and threatened to commit suicide sports author jeff pearlmans book. The enigmatic life of walter payton, was published in sports illustrated wednesday, the author has come under fire for writing details. Thus its not surprising that chicago is enraged by a new biography of payton that is excerpted in the current issue of sports illustrated. Of course, the multiple layers of paytons life had pearlman detailing the controversy he endured in light of an. The new york times if walter payton, magnificent football player and chicago.
Pearlman talks about walter payton and sportswriting. Former chicago bears coach mike ditka dismissed the author of a controversial new book on walter payton as totally gutless. The walter payton as drawn by jeff pearlman is a much more complicated one than we have seen before but at the same time, much more human. Walter payton is back in the public consciousness following the release of the controversial biography, sweetness. Walter paytons life more bittersweet than pure sweetness. Jeff pearlmans book, which includes allegations of payton, who died in 1999, being suicidal, abusing pain medication and being unfaithful to his wife, is titled sweetness. Pearlman stands by his portrayal of payton in polarizing.
Walter paytons brother to release a book about their lives. Walter payton described as drug abusing adulterer in upcoming. Jeff pearlmans book, which includes allegations of payton, who died. His new book is entitled sweetness the enigmatic life of walter payton. Published on sep 11, 2011 author jeff pearlman discusses the motivation behind his new book, sweetness. Mike ditka is skeptical of new book on walter payton. The new york times if walter payton, magnificent football player and chicago treasure. The definitive biography of chicago bears superstar walter payton.
Author jeff pearlman has written an allencompassing biography of chicago bears superstar walter payton. Remembering payton, with eyes open the new york times. This is just one of the windows on the inner payton that jeff pearlman offers in his nearly 500page biography of the hall of famer, sweetness. The enigmatic life of walter payton gotham books will be released next week. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read sweetness. If walter payton, flawed but fascinating human being, intrigues you, read it. While i am not a big football fan i do enjoy reading biographies of sports standouts, and walter payton certainly fits that category. The enigmatic life of walter payton, by jeff pearlman, appeared in sports illustrated, bears fans were apoplectic. Sep 30, 2011 walter payton book angers mike ditka, former bears players. Book reveals new details on life of hall of famer walter. Oct 02, 2011 the journey to find walter payton begins here. Pearlman s book provides much to enhance that image, and a bit to tarnish it as well.
Sep 28, 2011 pearlman said he wanted to write a book about someone decent. Jeff pearlman comes home to discusses his book and the. I was going to give pearlman s book 4 stars rather than 5 stars because i found at least three errors in the text, which shows either sloppiness or lack of competent editing. Former chicago bears coach ditka thinks the book, which comes more than a decade after payton died of cancer at age 45, is illtimed at best. Oct 07, 2011 if walter payton, magnificent football player and chicago treasure, is enough for you, ignore the book and cherish your memories. Not everyone has reacted positively to the publishing of pearlmans latests book. In october 2011 he released his fifth book, a biography of walter payton titled, sweetness. Through it all, payton maintained an image as a family man, welcoming his and connies daughter brittney only two months after nigels birth. Walter paytons brother to release a book about their.
It spent four weeks on the new york times best seller list. Pearlman stands by his portrayal of payton in polarizing book. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Author and sports illustrated columnist jeff pearlman decided to take matters into his own hands and write a book about the great walter. Sep 29, 2011 former chicago bears coach mike ditka dismissed the author of a controversial new book on walter payton as totally gutless. The enigmatic life of walter payton, by jeff pearlman. Sep 30, 2011 michael wilbon is a featured columnist for and. But the first time jeff pearlman finally met walter payton was the last time. If walter payton, magnificent football player and chicago treasure, is enough for you, ignore the book and cherish your memories. Pearlman said he wanted to write a book about someone decent. He has written two books about baseball and was the author of the infamous john rocker interview in sports illustrated. The enigmatic life of walter payton by jeff pearlman 2012, paperback at the best online prices at ebay. Sep 28, 2012 eddie payton, the former nfl player who is best known as the brother of the great walter payton, is releasing a book next week about his brother, saying that he thinks theres a record that. A few of payton s former teammates and colleagues have.
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