CHICAGO, IL - CIRCA 1980's: Middle Linebacker Mike Singletary #50 of the Chicago Bears in action during a circa late 1980's NFL football game at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. Singletary played for the Bears from 1981-92. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
Former Chicago Bears linebacker Mike Singletary had an intimate relationship with Hall of Fame running back Walter Payton when he was still alive. When asked on Twitter to share a memorable aspect of that friendship, he revealed a powerful bit of information.
After being diagnosed with a rare liver disease, Payton asked Singletary to read the Bible with him every day. Singletary said he did until the day he died.
Via Singletary's verified Twitter account:
Payton's diagnosis came in February of 1999, and he died on Nov. 1 of that same year. Those 10 months must have been tougher than anything they went through during their seven seasons as teammates (1981-1987).
The 1985 season was a big one for both Payton and Singletary, as well as the Bears. They brought the first and only Super Bowl victory to Chicago that season; Payton was the NFL's third leading rusher and Singletary won Defensive Player of the Year.
Receive your weekly recap of all the happenings around the world of sports.