July 15, 1999
WALTER PAYTON TOPS WITH ’99 NFL DRAFTEESMore than 200 players from the NFL Draft Class of 1999 were recently polled on a number of topics. One of those queries – Who is the Greatest All-Time NFL Player? – resulted in a most clear-cut choice.
Former Chicago Bears running back WALTER PAYTON, the NFL’s all-time leading rusher, was named the league’s greatest all-time player by 64 rookies – more than three times the tally of runner up JOE MONTANA (18).
Payton, who was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1993, rushed for 16,726 yards and 110 touchdowns in his 13-year career. Payton, who also holds the NFL record with 77 career 100-yard rushing games, was a nine-time Pro Bowler.
Following are players receiving the most votes as the greatest of all-time from the NFL Draft Class of 1999:
| Walter Payton | 64 |
| Joe Montana | 18 |
| Jerry Rice | 17 |
| Lawrence Taylor | 15 |
| Jim Brown | 13 |