Who Is Brittany Payton
Brittany Payton, also known as Brittney Payton, is a Chicago television personality, sports media figure, philanthropist, brand ambassador, and part of one of football’s most famous families. She was raised by famed Chicago Bears running back Walter Payton and Connie Norwood Payton in a busy football environment and in a family, community, and philanthropy.
Walter Payton, known as “Sweetness,” is a legendary NFL player. Nine-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl XX champion, he played his entire career for the Chicago Bears. His 45th birthday death on November 1, 1999, devastated his family and Chicago.
Brittany was a teenager when her father died. She often tells stories about the father of the football icon, rather than letting his public image dictate her recollections. She remembers daddy-daughter outings, her father braiding her hair, family movie nights, and his sports support. The stories paint a more intimate picture of Walter Payton, whose public character was athleticism but whose family recalled him for his warmth and presence.
Brittany established herself in sports and television. Her career has kept her in Chicago while letting her create a career without her father’s renown.
Brittany Payton’s Childhood and Education
Brittany grew up in the Chicago suburbs with her parents and older brother, Jarrett Payton. The Payton household was shaped by football, but family life was not simply an extension of Walter’s NFL career.
Her father retired from professional football after the 1987 season, giving the family years together after his playing career. Walter was also deeply involved in philanthropy, and Brittany witnessed that commitment from an early age. The Walter and Connie Payton Foundation eventually became an important part of the family’s continuing public service.
After Walter’s death, Brittany found another way to turn personal experience into advocacy. While she was still in high school, she became involved with Youth for Life, an organ donation awareness campaign inspired partly by her father’s illness and the realities of the organ donor waiting list.
She later attended DePaul University in Chicago. Her education became a bridge between her family background and her eventual media career. She interned at Fox and worked under television journalist Sylvia Perez, who would later become her professional colleague.
Her early career included positions with an internet sports company and the Big Ten Network before she moved into Chicago television.
A Career in Chicago Television and Sports Media
Brittany’s television career gradually established her as a recognizable personality in Chicago.
One of her important roles was as a host and co-host of WGN’s Chicago’s Best, a program centered on the city’s restaurants, attractions, personalities, and lifestyle. The show earned Emmy recognition, giving Brittany an opportunity to develop a television identity that extended beyond her connection to the Bears.
In early 2018, she became a co-anchor on FOX 32’s Good Day Chicago, working alongside Sylvia Perez. The position combined news, entertainment, lifestyle coverage, and the fast-moving rhythm of morning television.
Her time on television also coincided with motherhood. Working in broadcasting while raising young children required careful management of her professional and private worlds. In 2020, she left FOX 32 after several years on the program.
Around the same period, Brittany and her family relocated to Arizona. Although Arizona became their home, Chicago remained an important emotional and professional center. She has repeatedly described Chicago as always being home, and her continued involvement with the Bears and NFL events reflects that enduring connection.
Her Marriage to Jordan Benson
Brittany married Jordan Benson in July 2013 after their engagement became public earlier that year. Jordan has been described professionally as an investment banker, giving the family a combination of media and finance experience.
The couple have built a family life that deliberately balances career demands with time together. They have also shared an interest in fantasy football, including co-owning a fantasy football team.
Their move to Arizona represented a significant chapter in their family story. The family spent years working through the construction of a new home, and by the mid 2020s Arizona had become their established base.
Brittany Payton’s Children
Brittany and Jordan Benson have two daughters, Blair Hazel Benson and Zoe Benson.
Blair was born around 2016 and turned 2 in 2018. Brittany has spoken about athletic characteristics that remind her of Walter Payton, creating a touching connection between grandfather and granddaughter even though Blair was born long after his death.
Their younger daughter, Zoe, was born around 2019 and was about 1 year old in 2020 reports.
Brittany has described motherhood as an important part of her life and has emphasized the role of family support in maintaining a demanding professional schedule. Her daughters have generally remained outside the intense public spotlight that surrounded their grandfather.
| Family Member | Relationship to Brittany Payton | Notable Details |
|---|---|---|
| Walter Payton | Father | Hall of Fame Chicago Bears running back |
| Connie Norwood Payton | Mother | Philanthropist and guardian of the Payton family legacy |
| Jarrett Payton | Older brother | Former football player and sports media personality |
| Jordan Benson | Husband | Investment banker |
| Blair Hazel Benson | Daughter | Born around 2016 |
| Zoe Benson | Daughter | Born around 2019 |
| Pam Payton | Aunt | Sister of Walter Payton |
| Eddie Payton | Uncle | Walter’s brother and former football player |
| Peter Payton | Grandfather | Father of Walter Payton |
| Alyne Payton | Grandmother | Mother of Walter Payton |
Jarrett Payton and the Sibling Bond
Jarrett Payton is Brittany’s older brother and another important figure in the family’s public life. Like Brittany, he has experience in football and media, creating a natural partnership between the siblings.
The two frequently appear together at NFL events and participate in ceremonies connected to their father’s legacy. They have also presented the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, an honor that carries their father’s name and values into a new generation.
Their public conversations often move beyond football statistics. They have discussed lessons their father taught them about effort, being present for family, time management, and the importance of making one’s work meaningful.
For me, this is one of the most interesting elements of Brittany’s story. Her connection to Walter Payton is not simply hereditary. It is expressed through the values she and Jarrett continue to emphasize.
Connie Payton and the Family Foundation
Connie Norwood Payton has played a central role in preserving Walter Payton’s legacy. After Walter’s death, she continued working with the family’s philanthropic efforts and helped carry the foundation into a new era.
The Walter and Connie Payton Foundation originally focused heavily on children in foster care and wards of the state. Early initiatives included providing holiday toys, while later programs expanded the family’s community involvement.
Brittany has continued to participate in this work. Her public activities show that the Payton legacy is not limited to football memorabilia or award ceremonies. It also involves service.
Connie has appeared alongside Brittany and Jarrett in interviews and podcast conversations, creating a three-generation perspective on the family’s history and values.
Brittany Payton and the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award
Brittany’s Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year role is well-known.
NFL players who thrive on the field and in the community receive the honor. Because of Walter’s name, the Payton family has a special connection to the distinction.
Brittany, Jarrett, and Connie have presented NFL Honors awards together. Brittany talked publicly about the accolade in February 2025 after the death of legendary Chicago Bears owner Virginia McCaskey, who she said treated the Payton family warmly.
Brittany attended NFL Honors again with Connie and Jarrett in San Francisco during Super Bowl week in February 2026.
The annual ceremony has become a family tradition, with another generation of NFL players representing Walter’s beliefs.
The Sweet Life With Brittney Payton
Brittany later expanded her media work through the podcast The Sweet Life with Brittney Payton, launched around 2022 and 2023.
The program combines sports, Chicago culture, family stories, and conversations with notable guests. Her mother Connie and brother Jarrett have participated, allowing listeners to hear family stories that might otherwise remain behind closed doors.
The title itself is an obvious nod to Walter Payton’s famous nickname, but the podcast is not simply a celebration of football history. Brittany uses the format to explore people, experiences, culture, and the everyday side of life.
It gives her a platform where television’s fast pace can give way to longer conversations.
Brand Ambassador and Media Work
In late 2021, Brittany became associated with Rush Street Interactive’s BetRivers and PlaySugarHouse brands as a brand ambassador and content creator.
Her work has included television and radio appearances, social content, podcasts, and sports and culture programming aimed particularly at Arizona and Illinois audiences. She has described her approach as bringing a pop culture perspective to sports content.
This work has complemented rather than replaced her television career. She has remained active in NFL-related events, Chicago sports media, lifestyle content, and promotional appearances.
Her professional income has therefore come from several areas, including television hosting, brand partnerships, podcasting, event appearances, media production, and related entertainment work. There is no reliable publicly documented figure for her personal net worth.
Recent Life in Arizona and Continued Chicago Connections
By 2025 and 2026, Brittany was firmly established in Arizona with Jordan and their daughters. The family’s home construction had taken several years, making the completion of the property a meaningful family milestone.
At the same time, her professional relationship with Chicago remained strong.
In September 2025, Brittany returned to FOX 32-related programming to discuss the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Awards of Character initiative. The program, developed through a collaboration involving Payton Productions and the Hall of Fame, focuses on ordinary people whose lives demonstrate qualities such as integrity, service, courage, and respect.
The project reflects an idea closely associated with the Payton family: character should matter as much as achievement.
Brittany, Connie, and Jarrett have also continued appearing together around Bears events. Their family presence has become almost symbolic, connecting modern Chicago football with the generation that knew Walter Payton personally.
The Payton Family Legacy
Beyond one Hall of Fame football player, the Payton family narrative continues.
Connie helped sustain Walter Payton’s humanitarian mission, Jarrett launched his football and media career, and Brittany became a TV and sports star.
Pam and Eddie Payton, Walter’s siblings, are also related. Peter and Alyne Payton shaped the football star’s family.
Brittany’s role is intriguing today because she’s between worlds. She established her career through television, media, philanthropy, branding, and storytelling despite being the daughter of an NFL legend.
Brittany Payton’s Family at a Glance
| Category | Person | Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Father | Walter Payton | NFL legend and Hall of Fame running back |
| Mother | Connie Norwood Payton | Philanthropist and family foundation leader |
| Brother | Jarrett Payton | Former football player and media personality |
| Husband | Jordan Benson | Investment banker |
| Daughter | Blair Hazel Benson | Brittany’s older daughter |
| Daughter | Zoe Benson | Brittany’s younger daughter |
| Aunt | Pam Payton | Walter’s sister |
| Uncle | Eddie Payton | Walter’s brother |
| Grandfather | Peter Payton | Walter’s father |
| Grandmother | Alyne Payton | Walter’s mother |
FAQ
Who is Brittany Payton?
Brittany Payton is a television personality, sports media figure, philanthropist, and brand ambassador best known as the daughter of Chicago Bears legend Walter Payton and Connie Norwood Payton.
Is Brittany Payton Walter Payton’s daughter?
Yes. Brittany is the younger child of Walter Payton and Connie Norwood Payton. Her older brother is Jarrett Payton.
Who is Brittany Payton’s husband?
Brittany Payton’s husband is Jordan Benson. They married in July 2013 and have two daughters.
How many children does Brittany Payton have?
Brittany and Jordan Benson have two daughters, Blair Hazel Benson and Zoe Benson.
Where does Brittany Payton live?
Brittany and her family relocated from the Chicago area to Arizona around 2020. She continues to maintain strong professional and personal connections to Chicago.
What did Brittany Payton do on television?
She worked as a host and co-host of WGN’s Chicago’s Best and later became a co-anchor on FOX 32’s Good Day Chicago. She has also made appearances connected to NFL programming and sports media.
What is The Sweet Life with Brittney Payton?
The Sweet Life with Brittney Payton is a podcast featuring conversations about sports, family, Chicago culture, and personal stories. Guests have included members of her own family.
Does Brittany Payton present the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award?
Yes. Brittany has regularly participated with her brother Jarrett and mother Connie in presenting the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award during NFL Honors.
What is Brittany Payton’s connection to philanthropy?
Brittany grew up around her family’s charitable activities and has participated in the Walter and Connie Payton Foundation’s legacy work. She also became involved in organ donation awareness through Youth for Life while she was still in high school.
What is Brittany Payton’s net worth?
A precise personal net worth figure has not been reliably disclosed publicly. Her professional activities have included television, podcasting, brand partnerships, event appearances, and sports media work, while her husband Jordan Benson has worked in investment banking.
