Walter Payton wore number 34 for the Chicago Bears for thirteen seasons and retired in 1987 as the NFL's all-time leading rusher, which is why the navy, white and blue throwback versions of his jersey are still the most requested Bears shirts we sell. A Walter Payton jersey in our range is a stitched Chicago build: the navy 2016 Color Rush Limited jersey and two throwback colourways, white and blue, each available with or without the bear patch. Every one of them is priced at $69.95. This guide explains which era each version belongs to, how the throwbacks differ from the Color Rush jersey, and how to size and care for a stitched Bears jersey so the number 34 stays sharp.
Walter Payton's career and the jerseys that mark it
Payton played his college football at Jackson State and the Bears took him with the fourth overall pick in the 1975 draft. He spent his entire thirteen-season career in Chicago, and he missed just one game in that time, which is part of why his nickname, Sweetness, is attached to a reputation for durability as much as for style.
He was named NFL Most Valuable Player for the 1977 season, and he retired with 16,726 rushing yards, a record that stood until 2002. He also scored 110 rushing touchdowns. The 1985 Bears team he played on won Super Bowl XX, and Payton was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1993. He died in 1999, and the league's annual Man of the Year award now carries his name.
Even though he played decades ago, the number 34 jersey has never really gone out of circulation in Chicago, and the throwback treatments are the versions that look most like the jerseys he actually wore. The Color Rush jersey is the modernised take, and the bear patch versions add the detail collectors tend to want.
Should you buy a Walter Payton jersey?
Yes, a Walter Payton jersey is worth buying if you want a Chicago Bears jersey that will never look out of date. Payton wore number 34 as a running back for the Chicago Bears for thirteen seasons from 1975 to 1987, was named NFL Most Valuable Player for the 1977 season, retired as the NFL's all-time leading rusher with 16,726 yards, scored 110 rushing touchdowns and won Super Bowl XX with the 1985 Bears. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1993. Every Walter Payton style at Vikings Warehouse is $69.95, covering the navy 2016 Color Rush Limited jersey and the white and blue throwbacks, each available with or without the bear patch. Choose a throwback for the classic look or the Color Rush build for a cleaner modern finish.
Availability note: the throwbacks and the navy Color Rush build are separate listings, so the decision comes down to era rather than colour alone, and the throwback colourways are the ones that match the jersey he actually wore.
Every Walter Payton jersey we sell
The five most requested Walter Payton jerseys are below: the navy 2016 Color Rush stitched Limited jersey, a white throwback, a blue throwback, a white throwback with the bear patch and a blue throwback with the bear patch. All five are stitched builds, and the wider Bears range sits in the Chicago Bears jersey collection.
Men's Chicago Bears #34 Walter Payton Navy Blue 2016 Color Rush Stitched NFL Nike Limited Jersey
$69.95
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If you want the jersey closest to what Payton wore, pick one of the throwbacks; if you want something that reads as a modern Bears shirt, the navy Color Rush build is the better fit.
Size, fit and care for the Bears 34 jersey
The Payton styles are listed in men's S to 4XL, women's XS to 2XL and youth S to XL. The men's cut is a regular football jersey shape with comfortable room through the chest and shoulders, so it layers over a t-shirt at your normal size and fits better one size up over a hoodie. Stitched throwbacks keep their shape well as long as they stay out of a dryer.
Wash the jersey inside out in cold water on a gentle cycle, then hang it to dry on a wide hanger so the shoulders do not stretch out. Skip bleach and fabric softener, both of which break down fabric and dull stitched panels. If the jersey needs pressing, use low heat and put a cloth between the iron and the numbers rather than pressing directly onto the stitching or the patch.
Styling a Walter Payton jersey
Navy and orange is a combination that carries a room on its own, so keep everything else plain. The navy Color Rush jersey looks best with dark denim or black jeans and simple white or black trainers, and it works with grey joggers at home. The white throwback is the most versatile of the six because white goes with almost anything, while the blue throwback is the one to wear when you want the retro look to be obvious. The bear patch versions are the ones collectors tend to keep unworn, so if you plan to wear it weekly, the plain throwbacks are the practical choice.
Start with the Chicago Bears jersey collection to see every Bears colourway in one place, and if you are comparing NFC North backs before deciding, the rest of the team-by-team breakdowns sit in the NFL jersey guides hub. A throwback in a settled number is the safest jersey purchase in football, because nothing about the player or the design is going to change.
What number did Walter Payton wear?
He wore 34 for the Chicago Bears across thirteen seasons, from 1975 until he retired in 1987.
Is Walter Payton in the Hall of Fame?
Yes. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1993, after retiring as the NFL's all-time leading rusher with 16,726 yards.
How much does a Walter Payton jersey cost?
Every Walter Payton style at Vikings Warehouse is $69.95, including the navy 2016 Color Rush Limited jersey and the white and blue throwbacks with or without the bear patch.
What sizes are available?
Men's S to 4XL, women's XS to 2XL and youth S to XL. Take your normal shirt size for a regular fit, or one size up if you want to layer a hoodie underneath.
