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Best Athletes by Number: 32-65

No. 34

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Walter Payton

No. 34
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Sweet in disposition and talent. Payton retired as the NFL's alltime leading rusher (16,726) and is considered by many to be the NFL's greatest running back.

Runner-up: Bo Jackson.

Worthy of consideration: Earl Campbell, Rollie Fingers, Hakeem Olajuwon, Shaquille O'Neal (Lakers), Kirby Puckett, Nolan Ryan, Herschel Walker (college).
Photo: Walter Iooss Jr./SI