On November 20, 1977, at Soldier Field, the Bears beat the Minnesota Vikings 10–7. Walter Payton, still weak from the flu, carried the ball forty times for 275 yards and a touchdown. It broke O.J. Simpson's single-game record of 273.
Forty carries, 275 yards, a 10–7 win, and the flu still in him.
The 1978 Topps set opens with six cards of highlights from the season before, and this is the third. Its title runs across the top: PAYTON RUSHES FOR 275 YARDS. Its neighbors are Craig Morton passing Denver to the Super Bowl at #2 and Simpson reaching 10,000 yards at #4.
The frame is green, with 1977 HIGHLIGHTS running up the left side between yellow stars, and inside it the picture is the one the title calls for: Payton in the navy jersey, number 34, the ball tucked away, running straight at the camera with blockers on either side and a crowd behind.
The record stood until Corey Dillon ran for 278.
It was a fine year to have a highlight card. That season he was also the league's Most Valuable Player.
