Connie Payton Says She Doesn't Want Grandson To Play Football
(CBS) -- The widow of Chicago Bears great Walter Payton says she doesn't want her grandson to play football over concerns about concussions.
"I would never want my grandson to play," Connie Payton told CBS 2's Vince Gerasole. "As much as I love the sport and I'm really thankful for what the sport did for us and I'm thankful that the kids and I are still a part of it."
Payton says doctors have shared medical research with her that she calls life-changing. She says even if he knew about the risks, Walter would have still played.
"I think he would still play the game," Connie said. "Knowing what he knows, he would play the game but you know what, let's be honest about it and let's not try to hide the fact that it is dangerous."
Walter Payton played his entire NFL career with the Chicago Bears and won the Super Bowl following the 1985 season. He set the career rushing yards mark, which has since been eclipsed by Emmitt Smith, and was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame in 1993.
In 1999, Payton died from rare liver disease at age 46.
