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Pad legendary sea of stars2/28/2023 ![]() Sayers suffered from dementia during the final years of his life, a condition his widow Ardythe attributed to his profession. Named to the NFL’s 75th Anniversary Team in 1994, the former first round draft pick is the only athlete to earn inclusion at multiple positions, being recognized for both his prowess as a running back and returner. Sayers’ jersey numbers at Kansas (48) and with the Bears (40) have both been retired by the respective programs. Iconic Bears head coach George Halas presented Sayers for his Hall of Fame induction in 1977, saying of the runner “if you want to see perfection as a running back, you best get a hold of a film of Gale Sayers. Limited by injuries during his final two NFL campaigns, Sayers’ 4,956 rushing yards and 39 rushing TD’s came mostly during the five seasons from 1965-1969. ![]() Selected to four Pro Bowl squads, Sayers was named MVP of the league’s all-star game three times, joining quarterback Johnny Unitas as the only players to win three Pro Bowl MVP awards. His short seven-season career was cut short by injuries to both knees, but not before twice leading the league in rushing and earning five first-team All-Pro selections.Īn elite athlete buoyed by blazing speed, Sayers was equally as devastating as a kick-returner as he was out of the backfield, tallying more than 3,000 return yards and eight return TD’s. While on campus at Kansas, Sayers was active socially, joining fellow students in the 1964 KU fair housing march, a protest aimed at addressing racial discrimination among fraternities and sororities.Īt 34, Sayers became the youngest player ever inducted into the Hall of Fame. ![]() Prior to joining the league in 1965, Sayers was a three-year superstar at the University of Kansas, amassing a Big Eight Conference-record 4,020 all-purpose yards and earning the nickname the “Kansas Comet.”ĭuring his time in Lawrence, Sayers was selected as a first-team All-Big Eight performer three times, and was twice named a College Football All-American, in both 19. Sayers’ and Piccolo’s starkly contrasted backgrounds and personalities made the pair unlikely friends, however the unique bond that developed proved transcendental given the racial barriers that existed in the NFL of the 1960’s. Sayers earned additional inclusion in the cultural zeitgeist as a central figure in the tear-jerking 1971 film “Brian’s Song.”īased upon Sayers’ autobiography “I Am Third,” the movie details the friendship between Sayers, played by Billy Dee Williams, and teammate Brian Piccolo, portrayed by James Caan, as the latter succumbs to embryonal cell carcinoma at the age of 26. “Gale was an electrifying and elusive runner who thrilled fans every time he touched the ball,” added Goodell, noting that “we will also forever remember Gale for his inspiration and kindness.” Gale was one of the finest men in NFL history and one of the game’s most exciting players,” said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell in a statement Wednesday. ![]() ![]() “The NFL family lost a true friend today with the passing of Gale Sayers. Widely regarded as one of the greatest running backs to ever carry a football, the former Chicago Bear was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1977. NFL legend Gale Sayers has died at the age of 77. ![]()
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