A new book alleges Walter Payton abused drugs, was suicidal

Book: Walter Payton Abused Drugs, Suicidal Michael Vick REUTERS/Tami Chappell A new book claims that Hall of Fame running back Walter Payton abused painkillers in retirement and became suicidal. Jeff Pearlman, who is the author of "Sweetness: The Enigmatic Life of Walter Payton", writes that the former Chicago Bears star used a cocktail of Tylenol and Vicodin in retirement. He also details that Payton kept tanks of nitrous oxide in his garage and secured Ritalin from a friend. Payton's agent, Bud Holmes, is quoted in the book as saying, "Walter was pounding his body with medication." The former football standout had lived apart from his wife, Corinne, during the mid-1990s and was having extramarital affairs following his retirement. During Payton's 1993 Hall of Fame induction, both his wife and mistress attended the event. Payton retired as the NFL's all-time leading rusher after the 1987 season. He died from a rare liver disease and bile duct cancer in 1999.