Walter Payton Gravely Ill

Walter Payton was awaiting a liver transplant Sunday and his condition has not changed, said a close friend who wanted to dispel reports about the NFL great's health.

At least one radio station in New York and one in Philadelphia announced that he had died.

The league's career rushing leader said in February he has primary sclerosing cholangitis, a rare liver disease that can be treated only with a transplant. He was placed on the transplant list a few weeks later.

"There's no news," Mark Alberts, one of Payton's business partners, said Sunday. "This is ridiculous. If there's any news, we would contact the media."

Rumors that Payton's health has deteriorated have been rampant in recent days, fueled by son Jarrett's sudden departure from the University of Miami. Coach Butch Davis said Thursday the younger Payton, a freshman running back and kick returner, had gone home, and he didn't know when Payton would return.

Jarrett Payton missed Miami's game Saturday against West Virginia.

"I know it's serious," said Don Soldinger, Miami's running backs coach. "But I don't know how serious. I think Jarrett's place is there, not here."

The CBS SportsLine Web site, citing two unidentified sources close to Payton, said the 45-year-old former Chicago Bears star experienced "serious complications" that could prevent him from getting a transplant.

But Bears spokesman Bryan Harlan said the team spoke with Payton's family and was assured he is fine. Payton isn't even far enough up on the transplant list to be given a beeper that would notify him immediately if a new liver became available, his office said.

And nothing should be read into Jarrett Payton's return home, Alberts said. He's come home several other times since school began.

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