Posted on 09/23/2020 7:01:59 AM PDT by Red Badger
NFL legend and beloved Chicago Bears running back Gale Sayers has died at the age of 77. David Baker, CEO and president of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, shared the news in a statement Wednesday morning.
“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,” Baker said in a statement released Wednesday. “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.”
“The ‘Kansas Comet’ burst onto the scene in the National Football League and captured the attention of all of America,” Baker’s statement continued. “Despite playing only 68 NFL games because of an injury-shortened career, Gale was a clear-cut — and first-ballot — Hall of Famer for his accomplishments on the field and for the man of character he was in life. The entire Pro Football Hall of Fame family mourns the passing of Gale. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Ardie, and their entire family. We will forever keep his legacy alive to serve as inspiration for future generations. The Hall of Fame flag will fly at half-staff until he is laid to rest.” Sayers Was One of Chicago’s Most Beloved Sports Figures of All-Time
Together with Walter Payton, Sayers gave the Bears two of the best running backs to ever play the game. Sayers entered the NFL as a rookie in 1965, and few players made such an impact upon their arrivals. He scored 22 touchdowns that year — including six in one game — and while his career lasted only seven seasons, his toughness, natural physical gifts and unmatched skills on the football field made him one of the NFL’s all-time greats.
What may be more impressive is that he didn’t play much in two of his seven seasons. A series of injuries, including a knee injury in 1968, kept him off the field far more than he would have liked.
When giving Sayers’ Hall of Fame induction speech in July of 1977, a legend in his own right, George Halas, said the following about Sayers: “If you wish to see perfection as a running back, you had best get a hold of a film of Gale Sayers. He was poetry in motion. His like will never be seen again.” Sayers’ Impact Was Incredible & Undeniable
Sayers was one of the first — if not the first — complete backs to ever play the game. Before Christian McCaffrey or Ezekiel Elliott became the prototype for a do-it-all running back, there was Gale Sayers. He could run, catch and return kicks with the best of them, and he often did so playing on very, very bad Bears teams. Few players on offense or defense were ever as dynamic, or as well-regarded.
Sayers also became a bit of a pop culture icon when his real-life friendship with former teammate Brian Piccolo was chronicled in the film Brian’s Song. Played by Billy Dee Williams, the 1971 film was centered around the friendship the two running backs shared in the Bears’ backfield as Sayers stood by Piccolo, (James Caan), who was battling terminal cancer. Piccolo died in 1970, and Sayers retired in 1971.
Sayers had been battling dementia for the last several years.
Over his career, Sayers had 9,435 total yards, 4,956 yards rushing, and 336 total points scored. He is survived by his wife Ardie and other family.
May he RIP.
May Colin K never join him in the HOF.
NEVER!....................
His autobiography, “I am Third” was on the bookshelf at our home when I was a young kid.
He was a true class act. As the article notes, injuries really cut down on his production, including a knee injury that ended his career. Otherwise he’d probably be the all time leading rusher.
I am sure Brian Piccolo was there with a big grin trying to trip him as he walked through the Pearly Gates...:)
RIP. From a better time, that is for sure.
A Class Act all the way. RIP.
I really liked the NFL back when he was in his prime. Rest well #40.
Eternal rest, grant unto him O Lord
and let perpetual light shine upon him.
May he rest in peace. Amen.
I heard his dying wish was for the Bears to win the Superbowl, so, really, the rest of the season is meaningless. We grant everyone their dying wish no matter what, right?
I heard Tim Russert’s dying wish was for the Bills to win a Superbowl...................
Man, he was good.
I often wonder how wonderful it would be to have Walter Payton, Gayle, and Jim Brown playing with today’s conditioning, and medical care.
And today’s stars think they are good. (Some of them are...but damn, these guys could run!)
Took the words right out of my mouth.
I always joked that according to “The Man Law”, Brian’s Song was the only movie that men were allowed to cry at.
CTE?
Ninety-nine percent of ailing NFL player brains show hallmarks of neurodegenerative disease, autopsy study finds. ... Among former National Football League (NFL) players in the sample, that number jumped to 99%. The findings will likely ratchet up the pressure on leaders at all levels of football to protect their players.
With today’s stars it’s all about the Benjamins..................
Flag Football...................
I’ve only seen it one time and that was years ago when it first came out.
I haven’t seen it listed on HBO, Cinemax, Starz or other cable re-run channels.
Maybe it will be now................
ESPN will probably run it.
Maybe so. I lust learned there was a remake in 2001.................Never seen it................
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian%27s_Song_(2001_film)
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