Be Great
Greatness lives inside all of us. Inspiring others to find it with the power of positivity is my mission in life.
My father - Walter Payton - achieved greatness in the NFL, breaking the league’s all-time rushing record. But, how he carried himself off the field and the lives he touched along the way allows his legacy to live on as the namesake of the Man of the Year Award.
The lessons my dad passed down and the wisdom shared by the legends I’ve interviewed throughout my career have given me the tools to empower others to realize their full potential.
Success comes down to three words - Don’t give up.
Meet Jarrett
Jarrett is a television news anchor, businessman, philanthropist, motivational speaker, former NFL and CFL running back, and devoted husband and father.
Currently, Jarrett hosts “GN Sports” on WGN TV, in addition to anchoring sports on the 4pm and 9pm newscasts. He also contributes to the WGN TV morning news and WSCR 670 The Score during Bears season.
Jarrett’s footprint in the business world continues to grow. His most passionate project is his partnership in the Flagship on the Fox sports bar and Dukes Northwoods in downtown St. Charles. He has also teamed up with PapaNicholas Coffee to create Payton Premium Coffee Sweetness Blend and the Payton Premium Coffee Rise and Grind Blend among others. The phrase “rise and grind” is mirrored in his daily motivational tweets that reach more than 300,000 people each morning via social media @paytonsun.
Along with honoring his father’s legacy of making a difference in the community, Jarrett is now focusing on connecting with children - serving as a role model and stressing the importance of sports, education and character through numerous public speaking events. He and his wife Trisha are the co-founders of The Jarrett Payton Foundation (JPF). The foundation is committed to positively impacting the lives of children and adolescents by creating and providing programs that present them with a wide variety of opportunities specifically designed to develop their leadership skills and enrich their lives. Payton also dedicates time to The Walter & Connie Payton Foundation which is dedicated to taking an active role in helping those less fortunate to find stability while providing positive opportunities needed to live their lives with dignity and pride.
Jarrett’s own career in athletics started at an early age. Following a successful stint in high school soccer and football in the Chicago area, Jarrett was recruited by major universities - including Penn State and Notre Dame - before deciding to play at the University of Miami, where Payton appeared in five major bowl games and was named Most Valuable Player of the 2004 Orange Bowl.
After college, Jarrett went on to play in the NFL for two years with the Tennessee Titans and the Amsterdam Admirals in NFL Europe, winning the 2005 World Bowl championship. From 2007-2009, Jarrett played in the Canadian Football League for the Montreal Alouettes and Toronto Argonauts.
Want Jarrett to speak to your audience?
Jarrett’s passion for public speaking dates back to August 1993, when the world watched as the 12-year-old son of Walter Payton inducted his dad into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
That same authentic approach continues to resonate with audiences of all ages and backgrounds whether it is a corporate event, non-profit function or school assembly.
Testimonials
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"Your commentary was inspirational, relevant, and engaging. The feedback we received from those in attendance was all positive. The extra time you took with our team to make sure we were all on the same page was much appreciated. Moreover, the time you spent with those in attendance before and after the event was an indication of your commitment to our efforts and added a tremendous personal touch."
Greg Bedalov, President and CEO of Choose DuPage
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"While I knew Jarrett was an energetic, passionate, and motivating individual, I was truly moved by the way his words connected with me in a way I really needed. Jarrett’s message was more powerful because when you see him speak, you can tell how sincere he is."
Anonymous Park District Superintendent
