A revealing new book accuses former Bears running back Walter Payton of using drugs, cheating on his wife and being suicidal.

Sports Illustrated's Jeff Pearlman spent more than two years working on "Sweetness: The Enigmatic Life of Walter Payton" and uncovered startling details about the Chicago Bears running back who was so highly regarded that the NFL named its Man of the

The preseason all-American and Walter Payton Award candidate has scored 49 touchdowns in his Colgate career. The Raiders are reeling without him losing their last three games heading into Saturday's home game with the Rams.

Walter Payton faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250000 fine after pleading guilty Tuesday to a complaint charging him with attempted extortion. The 54-year-old Bayonne resident has worked in the Hudson County welfare office for about nine years.

“The shame about this thing is that Walter won't be there,” Ditka said today on ESPN Radio. “That's the shame of this thing.” Walter Payton, the star running back and spiritual leader of the '85 Bears, died in 1999 at the age of 45.