Why I'll read Sweetness - and Why the Controversy is Good

I’m also guessing some of the people he interviewed had their own agendas when discussing payton so, I will take that into consideration with anything said in the book.

I’m hoping that the advertising has mentioned the worst already. I can handle reading about Payton taking some painkillers and having an affair. That’s nowhere near some of the evil crap other NFL players have done or allegedly done (murder, rape, torturing 60+ dogs for amusement, etc.), so it won’t change my mind about Sweetness… at least not in a bad way, I hope.

Pearlman said he wanted to write a book about “someone decent; about someone caring” following his Roger Clemens biography. “Walter Payton was insanely curious, and his interest in other people — regular fans, folks on the street — extended beyond the scope of nearly any athlete I’ve ever come across (Sean Casey the possible exception),” Pearlman said. “Best of all, Payton had depth. There was so much beneath the surface with this man. But that was also a problem. Because for all of his depth, Payton spent his life as a lockbox. He trusted very few people, and confided in — at most — three or four. The image out there when he played is the same one out there today: Classy guy, perfect in all areas, the ultimate role model, great running back and the ultimate prankster. And while that is, in many ways, sort of true, it’s also a cheap, easy and unfair portrait.”

Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/football/nfl/09/27/walterpayton.book/index.html#ixzz1ZNQNV9UT

is if it was written by joe posnanski.

I don’t think there will be anything in this book to change the perception of Walter, publicly he embodied what a role model should be. I had season tickets before the rebuilding of Soldier Field and many Sundays after games I watched him stop and sign autographs for kids, until every kid got one. I have heard that this book tells of a dark side, we all have one. I am now and will always be glad that we had people like Walter for our kids to look up to.

Let me start by saying that I really like your you post. Rec’d it, in fact.

But I’d like to offer a devil’s advocate point of view.

Regardless of any praise Walter receives through this book, the end result will be a downgrading of his legacy that he cannot defend himself against.

The real question to ask is why? Why wait to write these controversial things until after he is gone and cannot defend himself against the accusations? Why write them at all? What purpose does in serve other than to take yet another role model down a notch? Did we need Walter Payton made human? What purpose does it serve society? I would argue that it does society more disservice by ensuring that yet another role model is brought to earth.

I understand that the return sabot is to say that athletes should not be role models. But reality trumps idealism and athletes are, in fact, role models for many children who do not have positive role models at home. And looking up the thread at at least one commenter’s response, the damage has already been done in this regard.

While I cannot call Pearlman a liar—and wouldn’t because i have no reason to believe he is lying—I can absolutely call him an opportunist. Let’s face it, his book will receive more publicity because of the accusations in question, and thus will sell more copies while never having to face the scrutiny of the man it calls into question. It’s easy money. And while some will pretend that this sort of writing—shining light in the darkest corners or public figures lives—should be painted in a noble light, I disagree. It serves no purpose and betters society in no way.

It, in fact, just serves to remove yet another positive role model from the ever decreasing list of positive influences out there for kids who do not have those role models in their everyday lives. Society has always had it’s paragons for a reason, and the removal of them in the name of information and truth does no great service, regardless of misplaced intellectualism.

Furthermore, the man had family. The idea that because a man played football in the national spotlight, his every action and flaw is fair game, regardless of the pain or embarrassment it causes his family, is ludicrous. Society’s sick need to see every decent person brought down to their level publicly is the root cause of this, because people will by this book solely because it sheds light on a darker Walter Payton.

Just my two cents in a devil’s advocate role, and I will admit that it is a partial reprint/rehash of an article I will be publishing tomorrow. So I have no problem giving you all a preview before the article is published.

but you did plant the seed to contemplate reading it at some point.

People attempting to attack Pearlman for writing the book. They accuse him of plagiary, but than slander him. That is really dangerous. The thing is, I am sure Pearlman has received death threats for this, in fact he eluded to it last night. It is okay to not want to read something or agree with it. It is not okay to threaten or slander someone because you do not like what was written. These are laws for a reason, and they exist to protect everyone involved.

I think this book is going to reveal that lots of people took advantage of Walter Payton. They saw money and forced him to try to live up to this image. This is a major problem, because obviously the cash was coming from his “clean” image. This is obviously going to be a big incentive to prevent him for receiving mental health treatment.

From the excerpts we have been given Walter knew he had a problem. Why wasn’t he given help? Sometimes it takes some pushing to get someone into treatment. Especially someone like Payton, who has also had lots of success in his life.

I know it effects us Bears fans, like I said Walter was almost given diety status. I am sure that not many here have reacted strongly to other Pearlman books. In fact, Pearlman exposed the homophobic and racist John Rocker for what he is…. a racist, homophobic asshole.

Excellent article, I gave it a rec.

I loved Walter Payton. All this book really shows me is that he was a mortal man. I feel sorry for Walter, you can see what a stressful job did to him. Does this change my view of him? Yes. I see him as a regular person instead of the comic book Superman he portrayed. Rest in peace Mr. Payton. A few sins a long time ago will not tarnish your legacy.

Not every married person commits adultery, but it certainly is and has been a problem for an eternity. What about substance addiction? Same thing. Nothing new at all, probably just spun to cater to the writer’s motive. I’m not saying Pearlman is a bad person, journalist, or a blood-sucking limelighter; I do believe he saw an opportunity and took full advantage of Sweetness’ fame and legacy.

the book publisher/marketing arm are looking to make the biggest splash possible, hence the controversial stuff coming out – they don’t paint Walter in the best light.

Won’t read it…

""Walter, like all of us, wasn’t perfect. The challenges he faced were well known to those of us who loved and lived with him. He was a great father to Jarrett and Brittney, and held a special place in the football world and the Chicago community. Recent disclosures—some true, some untrue—do not change this. I’m saddened that anyone would attempt to profit from these stories, many told by people with little credibility. Thank you all for your continued support." Several of Payton’s former teammates have also been quoted in Chicago newspapers. Steve McMichael told the Chicago Tribune: "Whoever writes something like that is looking for money. And they are looking for it to be as controversial as they can. But people shouldn’t believe that. Walter was one of the people for whom they made that axiom ’the good die young.’"

per chicagobears.com

ever to lace up cleats. And, from most accounts, he was a pretty decent human being as well. After Ditka spits on Pearlman, I’ll give the author some 40 grit sandpaper doused in hydrochloric acid to wipe himself with.

For the most part, people are supporting and explaining their reasons and being very respectful. It is actually going much better hear than it is in many other places. Good job everybody.

I respect your opinions 815Sox but I certainly wont add any funds to Pearlman’s account. I am curious about you now though. Since you are somehow “certified” to claim others as “not a very good human being.” I thought you defended Pearlman by saying it was dangerous for others to “slander him.” You must be the subject matter expert then since you are allowed to slander!

is the glaring amount of silence up till now about it.

You have Rick Telander admitting that he saw Payton using smelling salts the way some people use oxygen after what he thought were concussions. Did anyone think to report that one of the greatest Bears in history was having to do that? Or, if you’re to believe Walter’s agent, slather himself in stuff they use to treat horses just to make the pain go away?

NOW, Telander’s all about crusading against brain injuries and taking care of former NFL players. How much further along would we be down that road had someone spoken up in the early 80’s? How many players had to suffer because no one would talk about this stuff?

Forget the adultery – that’s not the important part. The important part is that the game he loved and made him famous is also a primary reason he lived a damaged life. And no one said a damn word about it while it killed him.