Following his premature death from liver cancer at the age of 45 in 1999, the NFL renamed their Man of the Year award the Walter Payton Trophy, given annually to the player who has provided most to the less well-off.Parallels between the two are irresistible "Walter Payton was one of my idols growing up," said Bush "He was one of the best ever to play the game. It is both a privilege and a blessing to be in this position."I'm not trying to be a saviour, and I don't need to be praised for it. I'm just doing what I think anybody else would do in my position."Bush has spent much of the summer learning the finer points of the professional game at the humble Millsaps College campus in Jackson, Mississippi. The Saints' practice field stands in the shadow of the Jackson State Tigers stadium. It was here that the legendary Walter Payton played his college football before going on to glory with the Chicago Bears.Like Bush, Payton was an extraordinary running-back talent, one of the best in the history of the sport He, too, was respected for his commitment to those in need.
"It is going to take a lot of work to bring New Orleans back on its feet. We at the Saints are going to do our part to help get that done and hopefully we can be a light and an inspiration to the city I embrace that. I don't think there's anyone here who doesn't know what he's doing for victims of the hurricane."Without playing a single game for the Saints, Bush has already become a symbol of hope for a beleaguered population It is a responsibility he appears happy to accept. A rich man as a result of his six-year, $62m (£33.5m) deal, the new kid in town has proved prompt in sharing his wealth.
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He is active in the Yard by Yard foundation, which aims to build 25 new properties in New Orleans this year, has donated money to keep open a special needs school, funded for a new artificial football field for use by local schools and is loaning a fleet of vehicles to the police department in Slidell, Louisiana, which remains badly flooded a year on."The entire region is in need of a winner, something to think about other than the daily problems of Katrina," said Rob Callahan, Slidell's police captain "Reggie Bush is, for want of a better word, a god. He understands that expectations are high but he is working very hard to meet them."What has impressed Horn and Brees most, however, is the youngster's dedication to the rebuilding of his adopted city. Horn has long been a passionate advocate for the displaced, while Brees, who arrived in New Orleans from San Diego in the off-season, has demonstrated his solidarity by buying a downtown apartment instead of living in one of the more affluent suburbs.Bush has followed suit, and has also been active in a number of regeneration campaigns. "Give him the ball in space and he will make people miss, and suddenly its 70 yards and a touchdown. There are a lot of expectations, but it seems he can handle them He's humble, but very confident in his ability. He is articulate, very mature and has obviously been groomed well.""He is one of the most talented athletes I have ever seen," the quarterback Drew Brees said.