The second coming of Walter Payton is returning to the football fields of Chicago and the familiar #34 will be looking to plow through defenses once more. Unfortunately it is Jarrett Payton, Walter's son and not a cloned version of Sweetness himself. And he didn't sign with the Chicago Bears, rather it was the famed Chicago Slaughter, the "premier indoor football team in the Chicagoland area" playing in the Continental Indoor Football League. You remember the CIFL, they used to be the GLIFL after they were the OPIFL.

SWEET!

Payton's new head coach Steve "Mongo" McMichael is a former teammate of his father, and a wrestling washout, so there should be a lot he can learn from such a fountain of learning. Then again, the Slaughter went undefeated last year on their way to the championship so maybe Mongo has the mojo, he certainly still has the wrestler's patter down:

"Jarrett Payton is a high caliber player who was born with a football in his hands," McMichael effused, "The Slaughter is going to blow you away with the talent we are putting together for the 2010 season and will give you a reason to come out and cheer for a winning Chicago football team this spring."

That may be, but it probably won't be because of Jarrett who is not a great running back. After fighting for playing time at the University of Miami until his senior (and 5th) year, when he had a solid, if unimpressive 1,000 yard campaign. Since then he played briefly with the Titans, in NFL Europe and in Canada until he was released most recently from the Toronto Argonauts whom he signed with in 2009. Only 3 months into the contract Payton left the team to return and work with the Walter & Connie Payton Foundation, a group which serves underprivileged children in Chicago, so we know at least he's got heart.

"There is a deep connection between my family and football fans in this town and I'm proud to begin the next chapter of that relationship," said Jarrett Payton. "There were a lot of playing opportunities for me this year, but I chose the Slaughter because I want to play for a winner, a great team with great coaches, great owners and the greatest fans."

[Chicago Slaughter]

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