Quote:

The book reports that Payton often used nitrous oxide while he was playing and after he retired. Pearlman writes:

Back when Payton drove his own RV to Bears training camp, he used to load the rear of the vehicle with tanks of nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas. At nights and during breaks in the action, players sneaked into Payton's trailer, loaded the nitrous oxide into balloons, then carried them around while taking hits. The goofy laughter could be heard throughout the training facility.

Now retired, Payton turned to nitrous oxide more than ever. Large tanks occupied a corner of his garage, and he held a gas-filled balloon throughout portions of the day, taking joyous hits when the impulse struck.

---

Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/football/nfl/09/27/walterpayton.book/index.html#ixzz1guwwnLFI