MEMPHIS, Jan. 12 (UPI) -- A Memphis man has been charged with using a police badge to break into the home of NFL legend Walter Payton's mother.
Investigators say $150,000 worth of jewelry and memorabilia belonging to Alyse Payton was recovered from the home of Andrew Thrash. A woman allegedly involved in the break-in has also been arrested.
Alyse Payton told WREG-TV that after the robbery at her home in Jackson, Miss., she had decided that the stolen items were gone for good.
"You know life goes on, you have to give it up," she said. "I told the Lord not to let me worry about it. Whoever gets it I hope they enjoy it."
Payton, a running back, led the Chicago Bears to the 1985 Super Bowl. He died of cancer in 1999, 12 years after his retirement from football.
The recovered items included watches and a medallion with Payton's portrait on it. Alyse Payton told the TV station she plans to store the collection in a safe deposit box.
