Never Die Easy:  The Autobiography of Walter Payton
Authors:  Walter Payton with Don Yaeger
Publisher:  Random House
 
Review by:  Tia Caliente
 
Everyone knows what a great athlete Walter Payton was.  What this books points out is the great
person, father, and role model he was in his real life.  When he was diagnosed with Liver Cancer,
this book added the direction of hearing directly from Walter, his family and friends what it is like
to go through this experience.  It is another rags to riches story about a man who overcomes
poverty and racism to become one of the finest athletes and human beings to walk this earth.
Walter never took his good fortune for granted, and continued to give back until his last day on
this earth.
 
As far as I am concerned, everyone (including you Green Bay fans) should read this book.  You
always hear about the lack of good role models for our young people.  Walter Payton is a role
model for everyone.  He truly lived the belief that if you really want something, and you work hard
enough, it can be yours.  The grace and courage that his family showed throughout the process of
him dying will touch you.
 
I give this book 5 stars….and if you don’t shed any tears, then you have no heart.  Turning this
book into a movie would be more touching than “Brian's Song.”

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