Conversation so far:
when was walter born?
Payton had claimed his date of birth as July 25, 1954, a date which is cited in many of his early biographies.
was this not his real birth date?
However, while researching his biography of Payton, Sports Illustrated's Jeff Pearlman discovered his actual date of birth to be July 25, 1953.
was this significant in any way?
Pearlman found Payton's earliest use of the later date during his pursuit of the Heisman Trophy at Jackson State.

Question: was he married?
Self-contained rewrite: Was Walter Payton married?