Walter Payton

Twenty years after the passing of Walter Payton, WGN-Channel 9 will remember the Chicago Bears legend with a primetime special hosted by his son.

“Savoring Sweetness: The Life & Times of Walter Payton” will premiere at 7 p.m. September 4 on the Tribune Broadcasting station and stream live at WGNTV.com/Live. It will be rebroadcast at 10 p.m. September 7 on WGN and at noon September 8 on CLTV.

Jarrett Payton

Payton’s son, WGN sports reporter Jarrett Payton, will interview Jim McMahon, Dan Hampton, Steve McMichael, Gary Fencik and Barry Sanders, among other teammates, family and friends, on the famed running back’s legacy.

Earlier this year Walter Payton was named the greatest Bears player of all-time by Hall of Fame writers Dan Pompei and Don Pierson.

Coinciding with the Bears’ 100th anniversary celebration, a statue of Walter Payton — along with one of Bears founder George Halas — will be unveiled outside of Soldier Field on September 3.

“To be able to have Papa Bear and Sweetness side by side forever at Soldier Field, it’s a big honor,” Jarrett Payton said. “I know my dad’s smiling down.”

Walter Payton, who played for the Bears from 1975 to 1987, died November 1, 1999, from cholangiocarcinoma, a rare liver disease. He was 45.