lO Sports
Life's bitter-sweet by Nick DePilla His nickname was "Sweetness," but there was nothing sweet about his death. Walter Payton died at age 45 on November 1 after along bout with a rare Uver disease, primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). PSC scars the liver and causes cancer; the only chance for survivial is a transplant. "He was the last member of the Superbowl team that you would expect to die first," commented former teammate Emery Moorehead. There is no question why Payton was inducted into the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. His 16,726 yards stand out from his glorious career. Although he broke all the records at his college. Jack son State, critics said that Payton didn't have enough competetion at ihejf"'' college level. Payton put the Bears' fears to rest by becom ing the NFL's all-time leading rusher and the Bears' alltime leader in catches with 492. Walter could do more than run and catch the ball: he also threw touchdown passes over year career. "I want to set so high that the next person that tries for it, it's going to bust his heart," Payton once remarked. And he did, Walter Payton holds the top spot in all-time total yardage with 21,264 total yards— over 3,000 more yards than his nearest threat, Jerry Rice. ; A sick Walter Payton was almost ^ scratched from the line-up on November 20, 1977 in Minnesota. But the hard-nosed running back refused to miss the game, stating htat he would know how he felt onced he touched the ball. He must have felt spectacular, because that is exactly how he played. He rushed for 275 yards, two more than O.J. Simpson's previous record. On October 7, 1984 the Bears played the Saints in Soldier Field. There was a lot of tension because Payton was Hearing Jim Brown's record. On the second play of the second half Payton ran for four yards to break the record. The quiet leader of the Bears, Payton always motivated his team before each game. He was a very unselfish player, for example he let his bneman spike the ball after every touchdown he scored. Before 1982 Payton ran behind some very poor offensive lines and yet still managed to rush for over 1,000
yards. Between 1976 and 1987 Payton ran for 1,000 yards in every full season he played. In 1982, Mike Ditka came in and challenged the other players to be in as good shape as Walter. Payton had the best work ethic, seen in his running a steep hill near his house every day. Ditka had some words of his former player and friend: "He's the best football player I've ever seen. At all positions he's the best I've ever seen. He loved to hit, anyone at anytime. No matter if it was a lineman or a hnebacker." Ditka had some more words about Payton, "There are better runners than Walter, but he's the best football player I ever . saw. To me, that's the ul^ t i m a t e compliment." ^ Walter himself would add"AmIthefast^est, no, the bigest, no, the strongest, no. But what I think I have over the others is I nk I'm the smartest." He was the smartest— he always knew when to throw a key block, or cut right, or cut left. Walter thought never to underestimate yourself or your abilities. He saw everything in slow motion when he knew where the defense r would go, where the hnebacker would cut; he saw everything. The only thing I Walter didn't see coining was PCS. *PCS was the only opponent he ouldn'tstiffarm or juke around. He touldn't put his head down and hit PCS, he could only wait, and he waited like a champion. He showed us how to handle the rare disease. Walter Payton's grace and stength will always be rememebred in our hearts. The blasts of breath that spouted through the facemask of his helmet. The number 34 on his jersey waving in the brisk Chicago wind. Stretching the ball out for an extra yard. The crushing blocks he delt to blitzing linebackers. The horse gallop in the open field for a speed burst. And most of all, the three yard leap over the line, landing head-first in the endzone. It doesn't get anysweeter than that. Sweemess, you will forever be remembered.
Girls' Swimming by Anna Tomczyk Over the past two weeks, the Hawks have seen some tough swimming competition, but the team has still come out strong. Against New Trier, one of the top teams in state, the Hawks swam well, but could not come up with a win. Many great races were accomplished. Against Niles West, the last dual meet of the 1999 season, the Hawks won easily. All members swam well and this was a great way to go into the upcoming conference and sectional meets. The following Saturday, thefi^eshmanon the team had their annual New Trier Freshman Invitational. Medals were won in the 100 breaststroke, 200 free relay and 400 free relay. Come cheer us on this Saturday at the Sectional meet at Evanston High School.
S OUTH W O R P S A student-produced nevi^p^er of:
Maine South High ScKchol . ill 1 South Dee Roaaj I Ps^k^lidge, m 6006& Lettei^^ die editor«hoald be delivered to room V-lBlor^^eDuto a,niemb«r of the editorial stafE^^UTHWORDS'^reserves the right to editloaaterial for clarity and brevity and to re^ct-^s<;:ene. or Jdbelous submis•7^-r sions. Editors-in-Chief
Michael DePilla Maura Collins News Editors Megan Gibbons Meghan McCall Commentary Editors Britt Fredrikson Lauren Hurley Features Editors Lindsey Krukowski Nicole Penn Sports Editors Sam Fuller Ellen Garmer Production Editors Ted Kocher Som Dalai Brian Anderson Dan Clyne Core Cartoonist Susan Wilson COTe Photographers Eileen Collins Megan Price Monica Haak^^^ Core Staff Artist Staff Heads Nicole Kline ^ ^ Advisor T. R. Kerth