Never Die Easy: The Autobiography of Walter Payton
by Walter Payton, Don Yaeger

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

Book Review: You'll Laugh, You'll Cry, You'll Cheer, You'll Learn
Summary: 5 Stars

Walter was the best running back ever to play the game, period. He never ran out of bounds, he could run like a deer, catch like a wide receiver, throw like a quarterback, and block like a truck. Coach Mike Ditka once said that when God wanted to make a halfback, he just chiseled a certain type of body and he gave it to Walter Payton. Walter may not have been the fastest or strongest, but he was the best simply because he refused to lose and he worked hard to be the best he could be.

I have never read a book that touched me the way this one did. At some points, I found myself on the verge of tears, while at other parts I found myself laughing out loud. The lessons that Walter talks about can be applied to anyone in their own lives. He believed that you should do your best at anything you set out to do, and if you don't succeed, at least you gave it your absolute best shot. His love for family and especially children are shining examples of the type of person Walter was. He never stopped signing at an autograph session until he had spoken to everyone. Our athletes of today should use this as an example to live by. Children were his passion. He set up a foundation in Chicago that delivers toys and clothes to children at Christmas. One year, they serviced over 50,000 children. Just imagine that for a moment!

I truly enjoyed the way this book was formatted. The trestimonials of such people as Mike Ditka, Jim McMahon, Roland Harper, Mike Singletary, and others offers insight into Walter the player as well as Walter the person. The way the narrative was interspersed between the testimonials was extremely well-done.

I simply could not put this book down. Once I started reading, I was hooked. Just reading about Walter's courageous fight against his disease gave me inspiration and helped me realize that some of my so-called problems were tiny compared to what he went through on a daily basis as his disease progressed. I especially enjoyed the last chapter, which contains the complete memorial speeches of Jarrett Payton, Eddie Payton, John Madden, Mike Singletary, and Mike Ditka.

Walter Payton touched countless numbers of lives with his humor, his charm, and his wit. This book is a fitting reminder to the type of person that Walter was; no nonsense, straight-forward, and loving. Read this moving book; you will surely enjoy it, and it will give you a different outlook on your own life, too.

Summary of Never Die Easy: The Autobiography of Walter Payton

The Payton that emerges is a man of great skill, decency, passion, and charity: a man beloved. Naturally, there's lots of football in Never Die Easy--the title comes from a saying of Payton's college coach--with eyewitness testimony provided by the likes of Mike Ditka, Mike Singletary, Jim McMahon, Franco Harris, Matt Suhey, and even Jim Brown, whose career rushing record Payton leaped over. But there is also lots of family: the voices of his wife, children, brother, and sister are heard.

But mostly, there is Walter Payton. It's his own unmistakably high-pitched voice that resonates throughout; he sets down the melody and the others harmonize. Payton was certainly astute about the game and his abilities, forthcoming both in triumph and failure--his unsuccessful attempt at winning the NFL franchise in St. Louis was a terrible post-career blow--and utterly decent. How many other superstar athletes could say, convincingly, "Too many of us only take. We don't give." Payton gave to the end--a man who died for want of an organ was willing and eager to donate his own. It was the ultimate testimony of his refined, unforgettable Sweetness. Never Die Easy offers a fair, honest, appreciative taste. --Jeff Silverman

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