Turn Off Ads?
Results 1 to 4 of 4

Thread: Chicago Bears Hall of Fame running back Gale Sayers dies at age 77

  1. #1
    Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Posts
    3,868

    Chicago Bears Hall of Fame running back Gale Sayers dies at age 77

    Chicago Bears Hall of Fame running back Gale Sayers dies at age 77


    Former Chicago Bears star Gale Sayers, considered one of the greatest running backs in the history of the National Football League despite a career cut short by knee injuries, has died at age 77 after living with dementia.

    Known as the "Kansas Comet," Sayers was voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1977 despite playing just seven seasons, all with the Bears. At 34, he was the youngest player ever inducted.

    "All those who love the game of football mourn the loss of one of the greatest to ever play this game with the passing of Chicago Bears legend Gale Sayers," Hall of Fame president and CEO David Baker said in a statement. "He was the very essence of a team player -- quiet, unassuming and always ready to compliment a teammate for a key block. Gale was an extraordinary man who overcame a great deal of adversity during his NFL career and life."

    Sayers was a five-time All-Pro who averaged 5 yards per carry for his career and twice led the league in rushing, including in 1969 (1,032 yards) after having torn the ACL and MCL in his right knee late in the previous season.

    A major injury to his left knee in 1970 was too much for him to overcome, and he retired in 1971.

    His career numbers of 4,956 yards and 39 touchdowns on the ground came primarily over five seasons, as he played sparingly in 1970 and '71.

    As a returner, Sayers was also devastating, scoring six touchdowns and averaging more than 30 yards per kickoff return, with two touchdowns and 14.5 yards per punt return.

    Legendary Bears coach George Halas, as he presented Sayers for his Hall induction, said, "If you want to see perfection as a running back, you best get ahold of a film of Gale Sayers. He was poetry in motion. His like will never be seen again."

    Sayers was born in Wichita, Kansas, and was an All-American at Kansas. He was a first-round pick of Bears in 1965 and once scored six touchdowns in a game.

    For his bounce-back season in 1969, he was awarded the NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award, which he promptly passed on to close friend and teammate Brian Piccolo, who was dying of cancer. Their relationship was detailed in Sayers' autobiography "I Am Third" and the TV movie "Brian's Song."

    Sayers was named to the NFL's 75th Anniversary Team in 1994 at halfback and kick returner, the only player named at two positions.

    Sayers' family earlier this year discussed his experience with dementia.

    Roger Sayers, his brother, told the Kansas City Star in a phone interview that it's "tough to build memories all your life, and the next thing you know, you don't remember anything."

    https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/...rs-dies-age-77


  2. Turn Off Ads?
  3. #2
    Go Reds Go! UKFlounder's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2002
    Location
    Northern KY
    Posts
    2,838

    Re: Chicago Bears Hall of Fame running back Gale Sayers dies at age 77

    He was before my time, but always one of those “big names” I always knew and respected as a legend.

    Sad news

  4. Likes:

    M2 (09-23-2020)

  5. #3
    Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Papist
    Posts
    5,151

    Re: Chicago Bears Hall of Fame running back Gale Sayers dies at age 77

    I had no idea he was from Wichita. So Sayers and Sanders were both born here. Not a bad little running back town. Unfortunately Joseph Randle couldn't stay away from town and it ruined his budding career.

  6. #4
    Member Kingspoint's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    All around
    Posts
    12,174

    Re: Chicago Bears Hall of Fame running back Gale Sayers dies at age 77

    This is the football equivalent of Arnold Palmer passing away in golf.
    "One problem with people who have no vices is that they're pretty sure to have some annoying virtues."

  7. Likes:

    Chip R (09-23-2020)


Turn Off Ads?

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

Board Moderators may, at their discretion and judgment, delete and/or edit any messages that violate any of the following guidelines: 1. Explicit references to alleged illegal or unlawful acts. 2. Graphic sexual descriptions. 3. Racial or ethnic slurs. 4. Use of edgy language (including masked profanity). 5. Direct personal attacks, flames, fights, trolling, baiting, name-calling, general nuisance, excessive player criticism or anything along those lines. 6. Posting spam. 7. Each person may have only one user account. It is fine to be critical here - that's what this board is for. But let's not beat a subject or a player to death, please.

Thank you, and most importantly, enjoy yourselves!


RedsZone.com is a privately owned website and is not affiliated with the Cincinnati Reds or Major League Baseball


Contact us: Boss | Gallen5862 | Plus Plus | Powel Crosley | RedlegJake | The Operator