FBI Reveals Death Threat Bears Legend Walter Payton Received in 1982 That Sparked an Investigation

Walter Payton established himself as a superstar on the field and a role model off of it during his career with the Chicago Bears. He was beloved by most fans of the game, but unfortunately, there were a few people just couldn't stand him.

In fact, Payton actually received a death threat in 1982 from someone that said "When or if ever I see you and a mutual friend of yours...I am going to KILL both of you." The threat was taken so seriously that it actually sparked an FBI investigation into the matter.

The letter was mailed to Chicago's Lake Forrest offices in January of 1982. In June, the NFL had sent the letter to the FBI, and a month after that, an investigation was launched.

It's upsetting to even entertain the idea that someone would have sent a death threat to a man of Payton's standing, but that's unfortunately the reality. In fact, it wasn't even the first time that he had been harassed.

The star was also on the receiving end of a rather nasty call in 1979 when the Bears were playing the Patriots at Soldier Field, and in 1978, it was reported that gunmen planned to target him if he took the field against the then-St. Louis Cardinals.

It's sad he had to go through this, but if anything, it makes his football and humanitarian achievements that much more impressive.

In the face of overwhelming hate, he kept his head held high, churning out one of the best careers in NFL history and leaving a lasting legacy that many players aspire to live up to.