HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (AP) — A former Marshall University quarterback who led the Herd to its first Division I-AA championship has died after a battle with cancer. Michael Payton was 48.
According to a report, Payton’s brother he died on Thursday.
Marshall Athletics Director Mike Hamrick said in a statement that Payton’s loss will be felt by many.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the friends and family of Thundering Herd great Michael Payton,” said Hamrick.
“An All-American and a member of the Marshall Athletics and College Football Halls of Fame, his loss will he felt by so many.”
Payton was a native of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He led Marshall to the Division I-AA championship in 1992.
Payton earned the Walter Payton Award in 1992, a Division I-AA version of the Heisman Trophy. In that season, he threw for 3,610 yards and 31 touchdowns with just 12 interceptions.
Payton was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2015. He also is a member of Marshall University’s Athletic Hall of Fame.