:Gale Sayers

{{Infobox NFL biography

| name = Gale Sayers

| image = Gale sayers playing.jpg

| image_size =

| alt =

| caption = Sayers playing for the Chicago Bears

| number = 40

| position = Halfback
Return specialist

| birth_date = {{Birth date|1943|5|30}}

| birth_place = Wichita, Kansas, U.S.

| death_date = {{death date and age|2020|9|23|1943|5|30}}

| death_place = Wakarusa, Indiana, U.S.

| height_ft = 6

| height_in = 0

| weight_lb = 198

| high_school = Central
(Omaha, Nebraska)

| college = Kansas (1962–1964)

| draftyear = 1965

| draftround = 1

| draftpick = 4

| afldraftyear = 1965

| afldraftround = 1

| afldraftpick = 5

| pastteams =

Chicago Bears ({{NFL Year|1965|1971}})

| pastadmin =

Southern Illinois (1976–1981)
Athletic director
Tennessee State (1985–1986)
Interim athletic director

| highlights =

NFL Comeback Player of the Year (1969)
NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year (1965)
5× First-team All-Pro (1965–1969)
4× Pro Bowl (1965–1967, 1969)
2× NFL rushing yards leader (1966, 1969)
NFL scoring leader ({{NFL Year|1965}})
George Halas Award (1970)
NFL 1960s All-Decade Team
NFL 50th Anniversary All-Time Team
NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team
NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team
Chicago Bears No. 40 retired
100 greatest Bears of All-Time
2× Consensus All-American (1963, 1964)
3× First-team All-Big Eight (1962–1964)
Kansas Jayhawks No. 48 retired

; NFL records

Most touchdowns in a rookie season: 22
Highest combined yards per game average, career: 138.75
Most all-purpose touchdowns in a single game: 6 (tied){{efn|Tied with Ernie Nevers and Alvin Kamara{{Cite book|url=https://operations.nfl.com/media/3823/2019-nfl-record-and-fact-book.pdf|title=2019 NFL Record and Fact Book|publisher=National Football League|year=2019|location=New York}}}}

| statlabel1 = Rushing yards

| statvalue1 = 4,956

| statlabel2 = Rushing average

| statvalue2 = 5.0

| statlabel3 = Rushing touchdowns

| statvalue3 = 39

| statlabel4 = Receptions

| statvalue4 = 112

| statlabel5 = Receiving yards

| statvalue5 = 1,307

| statlabel6 = Receiving touchdowns

| statvalue6 = 9

| statlabel7 = Return yards

| statvalue7 = 3,172

| statlabel8 = Return touchdowns

| statvalue8 = 8

| pfr = S/SayeGa00

| HOF = gale-sayers

| CollegeHOF = 1887

}}

Gale Eugene Sayers (May 30, 1943 – September 23, 2020) was an American professional football halfback and return specialist in the National Football League (NFL). In a relatively brief but highly productive NFL career, Sayers spent seven seasons with the Chicago Bears from 1965 to 1971, though multiple injuries effectively limited him to five seasons of play. He was known for his elusiveness and agility and was regarded by his peers as one of the most difficult players to tackle.

Nicknamed "the Kansas Comet", Sayers played college football for the Kansas Jayhawks football team of the University of Kansas, where he compiled 4,020 all-purpose yards over three seasons and was twice recognized as a consensus All-American. In Sayers' rookie NFL season, he set a league record by scoring 22 touchdowns—including a record-tying six in one game—and gained 2,272 all-purpose yards en route to being named the NFL's Rookie of the Year. He continued this production through his first five seasons, earning four Pro Bowl appearances and five first-team All-Pro selections. A right knee injury forced Sayers to miss the final five games of the 1968, but he returned in 1969 to lead the NFL in rushing yards and be named the NFL Comeback Player of the Year. An injury to his left knee in the 1970 preseason as well as subsequent injuries kept him sidelined for most of his final two seasons.

His friendship with Bears teammate Brian Piccolo, who died of cancer in 1970, inspired Sayers to write his autobiography, I Am Third, which in turn was the basis for the 1971 made-for-TV movie Brian's Song.

Sayers was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1977 at age 34 and remains the youngest person to have received the honor. He is one of five players in the Super Bowl era to be enshrined in the Hall of Fame without ever playing a postseason game.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cleveland.com/browns/2018/03/how_many_pro_football_hall_of.html|title=How many Pro Football Hall of Famers never made the playoffs?|date=March 17, 2018}} He was named to the NFL's 75th Anniversary Team as a halfback and kick returner, the only player to occupy two positions on the team. In 2019, he was named to the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team. For his achievements in college, Sayers was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame the same year. His jersey number is retired by both the Bears and the University of Kansas. Following his NFL career, Sayers began a career in sports administration and business and served as the athletic director of Southern Illinois University from 1976 to 1981.

Early life

Gale Eugene Sayers was born to Roger Earl Sayers and Bernice Ross in Wichita, Kansas, and raised in Omaha, Nebraska. His father was a mechanic for Goodyear, farmed, and worked for auto dealerships. Sayers' younger brother, Ron, later played running back for the San Diego Chargers of the American Football League. Roger, his older brother, was a decorated college track and field athlete.{{cite news|title=Roger Sayers – No. 36 – Nebraska's 100 Greatest Athletes|url=http://dataomaha.com/neb100/player/36|access-date=March 3, 2017|work=Omaha World-Herald|archive-date=May 17, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190517232045/https://dataomaha.com/neb100/player/36|url-status=dead}} Gale graduated from Omaha Central High School, where he starred in football and track and field. A fine all-around track athlete, he set a state long jump record of 24 ft 10{{fraction|1|2}} in (7.58m) as a senior in 1961.{{cite news|last1=Riddinston|first1=Al|title=Omaha Central cops state plum, Weekes wins mile|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/9291469/omaha_central_cops_state_plum_weekes/|access-date=March 3, 2017|work=Beatrice Daily Sun|date=May 21, 1961|page=10|via=Newspapers.com}}

College career

Sayers was recruited by several major Midwestern colleges before deciding to play football at the University of Kansas. While being interviewed during a broadcast of a Chicago Cubs game on September 8, 2010, Sayers said he had originally intended to go to the University of Iowa. Sayers said that he decided against going to Iowa after the Iowa head coach, Jerry Burns, did not have time to meet Sayers during his one campus visit.{{cite web|title=Gale Sayers—Pro Football's Rambling Rookie|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zLRdvzPiHV0C&pg=PA70|work=Ebony|publisher=Johnson Publishing Co., Inc.|access-date=March 2, 2013|page=75|date=January 1966}} During his Jayhawks career, he rushed for 2,675 yards and gained a Big Eight Conference-record 4,020 all-purpose yards. He was three times recognized as a first-team All–Big Eight selection and was a consensus pick for the College Football All-America Team in both 1963 and 1964.{{cite web|title=Gale Sayers College Stats|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/gale-sayers-1.html|publisher=Sports Reference|access-date=September 8, 2017}}

As a sophomore in 1962, his first year on the varsity team, Sayers led the Big Eight Conference and was third in the nation with 1,125 rushing yards. His 7.1 yards-per-carry average was the highest of any player in the NCAA that season. Against Oklahoma State, he carried 21 times for a conference single-game-record 283 yards to lead Kansas to a 36–17 comeback victory.{{cite web|title=Hall of Fame inductee detail – Gale Sayers|url={{College Football HoF/url|id=1887}}|website=footballfoundation.org|publisher=National Football Foundation|access-date=February 15, 2017}}{{cite news|title=Sayers Is Top Big 8 Rusher|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8959209/sayers_is_top_big_8_rusher/|access-date=February 15, 2017|work=The Ottawa Herald|agency=Associated Press|date=October 30, 1962|page=2}} In 1963, Sayers set an NCAA Division I FBS record with a 99-yard run against Nebraska.{{cite news|last1=Curt|first1=Mosher|title=Huskers Pass Another Test, 23–9|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8939747/huskers_pass_another_test_239/|access-date=February 14, 2017|work=The Lincoln Star|date=November 10, 1963|page=43|quote=The lead reduced to a scant 10–9 by a record-breaking 99-yard run by Kansas' Gale Sayers ...|via=Newspapers.com}} He finished the year with 917 rushing yards, again leading all rushers in the Big Eight. He earned first-team All-America recognition from the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA),{{cite news|title=Coaches Association Says Jay Wilkinson All-American|newspaper=Star News|date=November 26, 1963|access-date=February 15, 2017|page=11|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1454&dat=19631126&id=cDtjAAAAIBAJ&pg=2841,4209308}} the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA),{{cite web |last=Gangi |first=Ted |title=FWAA All-America |website=sportswriters.net |publisher=Football Writers Association of America |access-date=February 15, 2017 |url=http://www.sportswriters.net/fwaa/awards/allamerica/alltime.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151227072543/http://www.sportswriters.net/fwaa/awards/allamerica/alltime.pdf |archive-date=December 27, 2015 }} the Newspaper Enterprise Association (NEA),{{cite news|title=Staubach Leads Youthful NEA All-Americans|newspaper=Evening Independent|date=December 2, 1963|access-date=February 15, 2017|page=14A|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=950&dat=19631202&id=VFdQAAAAIBAJ&pg=6942,94054}} The Sporting News,{{cite book|title=ESPN College Football Encyclopedia|page=1,269|publisher=ESPN Books|year=2005|isbn=1401337031}} and United Press International (UPI),{{cite news|last1=Petersen|first1=Leo H.|title=Gale Sayers Of Kansas Is Named As A Back On UPI All-American|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8959947/gale_sayers_of_kansas_is_named_as_a/|access-date=February 15, 2017|work=Great Bend Tribune|agency=United Press International|date=December 5, 1963|page=15|via=Newspapers.com}} among others. In 1964, his senior year, he led the Jayhawks to a 15–14 upset victory over Oklahoma with a 93-yard return of the game's opening kickoff for a touchdown.{{cite news|last1=Van Valkenburg|first1=Jim|title=Mad, Merry Chase Shapes Up For Big Eight Title|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8960291/mad_merry_chase_shapes_up_for_big/|access-date=February 15, 2017|work=The Ottawa Herald|agency=Associated Press|date=October 19, 1964|page=4}} He finished the year with 633 rushing yards, third most among Big Eight rushers, and also caught 17 passes for 178 yards, returned 15 punts for 138 yards, and returned seven kickoffs for 193 yards.{{cite news|title=Garrison wins Big Eight Conference rushing crown over Sooners' Grisham|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8960382/garrison_wins_big_eight_conference/|access-date=February 15, 2017|work=Ames Daily Tribune|date=December 9, 1964|page=10}} He earned first-team All-America honors from each of the same selectors as in the previous year, in addition to the Associated Press (AP),{{cite news|last1=Smits|first1=Ted|title=USC's Fisk on AP All-America: Trojan Guard Selected on First String; Huarte, Anderson, Timberlake, Sayers On No. 1 Backfield|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8960602/the_san_bernardino_county_sun/|access-date=February 15, 2017|work=The San Bernardino County Sun|agency=Associated Press|date=December 5, 1964|page=28|via=Newspapers.com}} among others.

Professional career

=1965: Rookie season=

Sayers was the fourth overall selection in the 1965 NFL draft, taken by the Chicago Bears, and was also picked fifth overall by the Kansas City Chiefs of the American Football League in the AFL draft. After consulting his wife, he decided he would rather play in Chicago, signing with George Halas's Bears.{{cite news|last1=Marshall|first1=Tom|title=Chicago Lands Sayers|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8959606/chicago_lands_sayers/|access-date=February 15, 2017|work=The Kansas City Times|date=December 2, 1964|page=52|via=Newspapers.com}} In his rookie year, Sayers scored an NFL-record 22 touchdowns: 14 rushing, six receiving, and one each on punt and kickoff returns. He gained 2,272 all-purpose yards, a record for an NFL rookie, with 1,371 of them coming from scrimmage. Sayers averaged 5.2 yards per rush and 17.5 yards per reception. His return averages were 14.9 yards per punt return and a league-high 31.4 yards per kickoff return.{{cite web|title=Gale Sayers Stats|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SayeGa00.htm|website=Pro Football Reference|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|access-date=February 19, 2017}}

Against the Minnesota Vikings on October 17, Sayers carried 13 times for 64 yards and a touchdown; caught four passes for 63 yards and two touchdowns; and had a 98-yard kickoff return touchdown in the 45–37 Bears victory.{{cite web|title=Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings – October 17th, 1965|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196510170min.htm|website=Pro Football Reference|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|access-date=February 19, 2017}}{{cite news|last1=Strickler|first1=George|title=Vikings Fall to Heroics of Rookie, 45–37|url=http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1965/10/18/page/73/article/bears-win|access-date=February 19, 2017|work=Chicago Tribune|date=October 18, 1965|page=1, section 3}} He was the last NFL player to score a rushing, receiving, and kickoff return touchdown in the same game until Tyreek Hill accomplished the feat over 50 years later, in 2016.{{cite news|last1=Smiley|first1=Brett|title=Chiefs WR Tyreek Hill turned an NFL hat trick last accomplished by Gale Sayers in 1965|url=https://www.foxnews.com/sports/chiefs-wr-tyreek-hill-turned-an-nfl-hat-trick-last-accomplished-by-gale-sayers-in-1965/|access-date=February 19, 2017|publisher=Fox News|date=November 28, 2016}} Bears coach Halas lauded Sayers after the game, saying, "I don't ever remember seeing a rookie back who was as good," and deemed his talents equal to former Bears greats Red Grange and George McAfee. "And remember," said Halas, "we used to call George 'One-Play McAfee'."{{cite news|last1=Markus|first1=Robert|title=Halas Rates Kansas Star with Greats|url=http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1965/10/18/page/73/article/bears-win|access-date=February 19, 2017|work=Chicago Tribune|date=October 18, 1965|page=1, section 3}} On December 12, Sayers tied Ernie Nevers' and Dub Jones' record for touchdowns in a single game, scoring six in a 61–20 victory over the San Francisco 49ers that was played in muddy conditions at the Chicago Cubs' Wrigley Field.{{cite news|title=This Day in History: NFL rookie Gale Sayers ties single-game TD record|url=http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/nfl-rookie-gale-sayers-ties-single-game-td-record|access-date=February 17, 2017|work=History.com|publisher=A&E Television Networks, LLC}}{{cite web|last=Mayer|first=Larry|url=http://www.chicagobears.com/news/article-1/Hall-of-Famer-Gale-Sayers-celebrates-70th-birthday/48f69a4c-2681-4491-aaed-28f0dc6848a6|title=Hall of Famer Gale Sayers celebrates 70th birthday|publisher=Chicago Bears|date=May 30, 2013|access-date=May 30, 2013|archive-date=June 7, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130607204410/http://www.chicagobears.com/news/article-1/Hall-of-Famer-Gale-Sayers-celebrates-70th-birthday/48f69a4c-2681-4491-aaed-28f0dc6848a6|url-status=dead}} He accounted for 326 yards in the game: 113 rushing, 89 receiving, and 134 on punt returns.{{cite news|title=Sayers Annihilates 49ers With Six Touchdowns|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/11852574/sayers_annihilates_49ers_with_six/|access-date=June 22, 2017|work=The San Bernardino County Sun|agency=Associated Press|date=December 13, 1965|page=10|via=Newspapers.com}} Sayers was the consensus choice for NFL Rookie of the Year honors from the AP,{{cite news|last1=Hand|first1=Jack|title=Chicago's Gale Sayers Named Rookie of Year; Polls All But 7 Votes|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8991004/chicagos_gale_sayers_named_rookie_of/|access-date=February 17, 2017|work=The Post-Crescent|agency=Associated Press|date=December 22, 1965|page=10|via=Newspapers.com|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170217145203/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8991004/chicagos_gale_sayers_named_rookie_of/|archive-date=February 17, 2017}} UPI,{{cite news|title=Bears' Gale Sayers Rookie Of The Year|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8991066/bears_gale_sayers_rookie_of_the_year/|access-date=February 17, 2017|work=The Brownsville Herald|agency=United Press International|date=December 22, 1965|page=13|via=Newspapers.com}} and NEA.{{cite news|last1=Olderman|first1=Murray|title=Gale Sayers Wins Award|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/9706250/gale_sayers_wins_award/|access-date=March 21, 2017|work=The Herald-Journal|agency=Newspaper Enterprise Association|date=December 19, 1965|page=5|via=Newspapers.com}}

He was quoted as saying at the time:

{{blockquote|quote=Just give me 18 inches of daylight. That's all I need.}}

=1966: First rushing title=

In his second season, Sayers led the league in rushing with 1,231 yards, averaging 5.4 yards per carry with eight touchdowns, and becoming the first Chicago Bears halfback to win the rushing title since 1949.In every season from 1950 to 1965, the annual rushing yards leader was a fullback. He also led the Bears in receiving with 34 catches, 447 yards, and two more touchdowns.{{cite web|title=1966 Chicago Bears Statistics & Players|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/chi/1966.htm#all_rushing_and_receiving|website=Pro Football Reference|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|access-date=February 17, 2017}} He surpassed his rookie season's kick return numbers, averaging 31.2 yards per return with two touchdowns. He also supplanted his all-purpose yards total from the previous season, gaining 2,440 to set the NFL record. The first of his kickoff return touchdowns that season came against the Los Angeles Rams, as he followed a wedge of blockers en route to a 93-yard score.{{sfn|Chicago Tribune|2015|p=129}} Against the Minnesota Vikings in the Bears' final game of the season, and the first of Sayers' pro career with his parents in attendance, he carried 17 times for a franchise-record 197 yards after returning the opening kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown.{{cite news|title=Mom, Pop See Gale Run Wild|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8991677/mom_pop_see_gale_run_wild/|access-date=February 17, 2017|work=Abilene Reporter-News|agency=Associated Press|date=December 19, 1966|page=19|via=Newspapers.com}} Sayers was named to All-Pro first-teams by the AP, UPI, the NEA, The Sporting News, and the Pro Football Writers Association, among others. Starring in his second straight Pro Bowl, Sayers carried 11 times for 110 yards and was named the back of the game.{{cite news|title=Only 15,062 See East Defeat West, 20–10 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=0MZaAAAAIBAJ&pg=5690%2C3565081 |access-date=February 17, 2017 |newspaper=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |date=January 23, 1967 |agency=Associated Press |pages=26, 28}} The Bears finished the season with a 5–7–2 record, and the Chicago Tribune tabbed Sayers as "the one bright spot in Chicago's pro football year."{{cite news|title=Season's Bright Spot|url=http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1966/12/25/page/27/article/league-merger-top-story-in-pro-football|access-date=February 17, 2017|work=Chicago Tribune|date=December 25, 1966|page=4, section 2}}

=1967: Shared workload=

In Halas's final season as an NFL coach, Sayers again starred. Sharing more of the rushing duties with other backs, such as Brian Piccolo, Sayers gained 880 yards with a 4.7-yard average per carry. His receptions were down as well. He had three kickoff returns for touchdowns on 16 returns, averaging 37.7 yards per return. Only rarely returning punts—he returned three all season—Sayers still managed to return one for a score against the San Francisco 49ers, a game in which he also returned the opening kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown and scored a rushing touchdown on a rain-soaked field in San Francisco's Kezar Stadium. "It was a bad field, but it didn't stop some people," said 49ers coach Jack Christiansen of Sayers' performance.{{cite news|title=Wow! Sayers Is Too Much|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/9041939/wow_sayers_is_too_much/|access-date=February 19, 2017|work=Daily Independent Journal|agency=Associated Press|date=December 4, 1967|page=28|via=Newspapers.com}} Christiansen said that after Sayers' kickoff return, he ordered that all punts go out of bounds. But Sayers received the punt and ran 58 yards through the middle of the field for the score. In a November game against the Detroit Lions, a cutback by Sayers caused future hall of fame cornerback Lem Barney to fall over, after which Sayers sprinted for a 63-yard gain.{{sfn|Layden|2010|p=2}} Later in the game he returned a kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown.{{cite news|title=Sayers, Bear Defenders Maul Lions, 27–13|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/9190717/sayers_bear_defenders_maul_lions_2713/|access-date=February 26, 2017|work=The News-Palladium|agency=Associated Press|date=November 6, 1967|page=14|via=Newspapers.com}} After the season, Sayers was chosen for his third straight Pro Bowl, in which he returned a kickoff 75 yards and scored a three-yard rushing touchdown and again earned player of the game honors.{{cite news|last1=Larson|first1=Al|title=West Rally Takes Breath from East, 38–20; Ask Fran|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/9038999/west_rally_takes_breath_from_east/|access-date=February 19, 2017|work=Independent|date=January 22, 1968|page=19|via=Newspapers.com}} Chicago finished in second place in the newly organized Central Division with a 7–6–1 record.{{Cite web |title=1967 NFL Standings & Team Stats |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1967/index.htm |access-date=2024-12-25 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}

=1968–1969: Right knee injury and comeback season=

Sayers had the most productive rushing yardage game of his career on November 3, 1968, against the Green Bay Packers, during which he carried 24 times for 205 yards.{{cite web|title=Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers - November 3rd, 1968|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196811030gnb.htm|website=Pro Football Reference|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|access-date=February 26, 2017}} His season ended prematurely the following week against the 49ers' Kermit Alexander, when he tore several ligaments in his right knee including his anterior cruciate ligament, his medial collateral ligament, and his meniscus cartilage. Garry Lyle, the teammate nearest Sayers at the time, said, "I saw his eyes sort of glass over. I heard him holler. I knew he was hurt."{{cite news|last1=Markus|first1=Robert|title=Anxiety with Gale in Darkest Moment|url=http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1968/11/11/page/72/article/anxiety-with-gale-in-darkest-moment|access-date=February 14, 2017|work=Chicago Tribune|date=November 11, 1968|page=2}} Sayers had again been leading the league in rushing yards through the first nine games, and finished the year with 856 yards. After surgery, Sayers went through a physical rehabilitation program with the help of Piccolo, who had replaced him in the starting lineup.{{cite news|last1=Bock|first1=Hal|title=Bears' Piccolo Gets Sayers Spot at Running Back|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/9037053/bears_piccolo_gets_sayers_spot_at/|access-date=February 19, 2017|work=The Daily Journal|date=November 16, 1968|page=8|via=Newspapers.com}} Despite missing the Bears' final five games, he earned first-team All-Pro recognition from several media outlets, including the AP,{{cite news|title=12 NFL All-Stars In Action This Weekend|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/9053191/12_nfl_allstars_in_action_this_weekend/|access-date=February 20, 2017|work=Anderson Herald|agency=Associated Press|date=December 19, 1968|via=Newspapers.com}} UPI,{{cite news|last1=Stellino|first1=Vito|title=Kelly Emerges From Brown's Shadow To Top NFL All-Star Choices|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/9052944/kelly_emerges_from_browns_shadow_to/|access-date=February 20, 2017|work=Anderson Herald|agency=United Press International|date=December 19, 1968|page=25|via=Newspapers.com}} and NEA.{{cite news|last1=Olderman|first1=Murray|title=Bob Brown Picked on All-Player, All-Pro; Morrall, Sayers, Kelly in Backfield|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/9052702/bob_brown_picked_on_allplayer/|access-date=February 20, 2017|work=Delaware County Daily Times|agency=Newspaper Enterprise Association|date=December 27, 1968|page=16|via=Newspapers.com}}

In the 1969 season, after a slow start and despite diminished speed and acceleration, Sayers led the league in rushing once again with 1,032 yards. He averaged 4.4 yards per carry and was the only player to gain over 1,000 rushing yards that year. He moved into second place on the Bears' all-time rushing yards list, passing Bronko Nagurski. Sayers was recognized as the NFL's Comeback Player of the Year by United Press International.{{cite news|last1=Stellino|first1=Vito|title=Gale Sayers Named NFL Comeback Player Of Year|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8939474/gale_sayers_named_nfl_comeback_player/|access-date=February 14, 2017|work=The Raleigh Register|agency=United Press International|date=December 24, 1969|page=7|via=Newspapers.com}} The Bears, long past the Halas glory years, finished in last place with a franchise-worst 1–13 record.{{cite news|title=Lions Brand Bears With Their Worst Record|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8939661/lions_brand_bears_with_their_worst/|access-date=February 14, 2017|work=The News-Palladium|agency=Associated Press|date=December 22, 1969|page=21|via=Newspapers.com}} In his fourth and final Pro Bowl appearance, Sayers was the West's leading rusher and its leading receiver. For the third time in as many Pro Bowl performances, he was named the "Back of the Game".{{cite news|last1=Gohlke|first1=Rich|title=West captures Pro Bowl|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/9227305/west_captures_pro_bowl/|access-date=February 28, 2017|work=The Argus|agency=United Press International|date=January 19, 1970|page=11|via=Newspapers.com}}

=1970–1971: Left knee injury and retirement=

File:GaleSayers71.jpg

In the 1970 preseason, Sayers suffered a second knee injury, this time bone bruises to his left knee. Attempting to play through the injury in the opening game against the Giants, his production was severely limited.{{cite news|last1=Liska|first1=Jerry|title=Superstar Gale Sayers Remains Question Mark|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/9228854/superstar_gale_sayers_remains_question/|access-date=February 28, 2017|work=The Terre Haute Tribune-Star|agency=Associated Press|date=September 27, 1970|page=50|via=Newspapers.com}} He sat out the next two games and returned in Week 4 against the Vikings, but he was still visibly hampered, most evidently when he was unable to chase down Vikings defensive lineman Alan Page during a 65-yard fumble return.{{cite news|title=Season Could Be Finished For Chicago's Gale Sayers|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/9230533/season_could_be_finished_for_chicagos/|access-date=February 28, 2017|work=San Antonio Express|agency=Associated Press|date=October 12, 1970|page=35|via=Newspapers.com}} Sayers carried only six times for nine yards before further injuring his knee. He underwent surgery the following week and was deemed out for the remainder of the season.{{cite news|title=Sayers in Cast For Six Weeks|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2199&dat=19701022&id=gE4yAAAAIBAJ&pg=5280,6538363|access-date=February 13, 2017|work=Lawrence Journal-World |location=(Kansas) |agency=Associated Press|date=October 22, 1970|page=19}} He had carried 23 times for 52 yards to that point. During his off time, Sayers took classes to become a stockbroker and became the first black stockbroker in his company's history.{{cite news|last1=Ruppert|first1=Jim|title='It's a shame'—Gale Sayers makes pitch for better benefits|url=http://www.helena-arkansas.com/x428369221|access-date=February 28, 2017|work=Helena Daily World|location=(Arkansas)|date=September 27, 2007|archive-date=February 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170228165956/http://www.helena-arkansas.com/x428369221|url-status=dead}} He also entered a Paine Webber program for 45 nationwide stockbroker trainees and placed second highest in sales.{{cite news|last=Twyman|first=Gib|title=Gale Sayers: Magic In The Open Field|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1989/10/08/gale-sayers-magic-in-the-open-field/|access-date=March 2, 2013|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|date=October 8, 1989}}

After another knee operation and rehabilitation period, Sayers attempted a comeback in 1971. He was kept out of the first three games after carrying the ball only twice in the preseason, as Bears head coach Jim Dooley planned to slowly work him back into the rotation.{{cite news|title=Bears Hope Sayers Can Lift Offense|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/9292052/bears_hope_sayers_can_lift_offense/|access-date=March 3, 2017|work=Tucson Daily Citizen|agency=Associated Press|date=October 5, 1971|page=30|via=Newspapers.com}} His first game back was against the New Orleans Saints on October 10, in which he carried eight times for 30 yards. After the game, he told reporters he was satisfied with his performance and that his knee felt fine.{{cite news|last1=Smith|first1=John|last2=Medearis|first2=John|title=Bears decapitate Saints, 35–14|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/9292989/bears_decapitate_saints_3514/|access-date=March 3, 2017|work=Belvidere Daily Republican|date=October 11, 1971|page=5|via=Newspapers.com}} The following week, against the 49ers, he carried five times before injuring his ankle in the first quarter,{{cite news|last1=Brockmann|first1=Dave|title=49ers Record First Shutout In Ten Years|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/9293237/49ers_record_first_shutout_in_ten_years/|access-date=March 3, 2017|work=Santa Cruz Sentinel|date=October 18, 1971|page=6|via=Newspapers.com}} an injury that ultimately caused him to miss the remainder of the season.{{cite news|title=Year That Wasn't Ends for Gale Sayers|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/9293408/year_that_wasnt_ends_for_gale_sayers/|access-date=March 3, 2017|work=The Terre Haute Tribune|agency=Associated Press|date=November 9, 1971|page=11|via=Newspapers.com}} He was encouraged to retire but decided to give football one last try. Sayers' final game was in the 1972 preseason in which he fumbled twice in three carries; he retired from professional football days later at age 29.{{cite news|title=Sayers Retires From Football|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1817&dat=19720911&id=5xsfAAAAIBAJ&pg=1795,1702905|access-date=February 13, 2017|work=Tuscaloosa News|location=(Alabama)|agency=Associated Press|date=September 11, 1962|page=6}}

= Career statistics =

{{Overflow|

{{wikitable| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"

! rowspan{{=}}"2" |Year

! rowspan{{=}}"2" |Team

! colspan{{=}}"2" |Games

! colspan{{=}}"5" |Rushing

! colspan{{=}}"5" |Receiving

! colspan{{=}}"5" |Passing

! colspan{{=}}"6" |Returning

! rowspan{{=}}"2" |Total TD

!GP

!GS

!Att

!Yds

!Avg

!Lng

!TD

!Rec

!Yds

!Avg

!Lng

!TD

!Cmp

!Att

!Yds

!TD

!Int

!KR

!KR Yds

!KR TD

!PR

!PR Yds

!PR TD

!1965

!CHI

|14

|12

|166

|867

|5.2

|61

|14

|29

|507

|17.5

|80

|53

|21

|660

|16

|238

|23

!1966

!CHI

|14

|13

|229

|1,231

|5.4

|58

|34

|447

|13.1

|80

|58

|23

|718

|44

|12

!1967

!CHI

|13

|186

|880

|4.7

|70

|16

|126

|7.9

|32

|16

|603

|80

|12

!1968

!CHI

|138

|856

|6.2

|63

|15

|117

|7.8

|21

|17

|461

|29

!1969

!CHI

|14

|236

|1,032

|4.4

|28

|17

|116

|6.8

|25

|14

|339

!1970

!CHI

|23

|52

|2.3

|15

| -6

| -6.0

| -6

!1971

!CHI

|13

|38

|2.9

|0.0

! colspan{{=}}"2" |Career

!68

!65

!991

!4,956

!5.0

!70

!39

!112

!1,307

!11.7

!80

!18

!111

!91

!2,781

!27

!391

!57

}}}}

Playing style

File:Gale-Sayers-Jan052008-ArmyFBAwards.jpg

Sayers' ability as a runner in the open field was considered unmatched, both during his playing career and since his retirement.{{sfn|Layden|2010|p=1}} He possessed raw speed and was also highly elusive and had terrific vision, a combination which made him very difficult to tackle.{{sfn|Chicago Tribune|2015|p=128}} Actor Billy Dee Williams, who portrayed Sayers in the 1971 film Brian's Song, likened his running to "ballet" and "poetry".{{cite AV media|publisher=NFL Films|title=The Top 100: NFL's Greatest Players|date=2010}}{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIpgdo9Ab38 | title=#22: Gale Sayers | the Top 100: NFL's Greatest Players (2010) | NFL Films | website=YouTube | date=July 7, 2016 }} Mike Ditka, a teammate of Sayers' for two seasons, called him "the greatest player I've ever seen. That's right—the greatest." Another former teammate, linebacker Dick Butkus, famous for his tackling ability, said of Sayers:

He had this ability to go full speed, cut and then go full speed again right away. I saw it every day in practice. We played live, and you could never get a clean shot on Gale. Never.{{sfn|Layden|2010|p=2}}

On his tendency to escape from tight situations, Sayers once proclaimed, "Just give me 18 inches of daylight. That's all I need."{{cite book|last1=Silverman|first1=Steve|title=Who's Better, Who's Best in Football?: Setting the Record Straight on the Top 65 NFL Players of the Past 65 Years|date=2014|publisher=Skyhorse Publishing|isbn=978-1613217535|page=82|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ikNfBgAAQBAJ&pg=PA82|access-date=February 26, 2017}} He felt if his blockers created 18 inches of space for him to run through, he could break a run into the open field. This quick acceleration became a hallmark of his running style, although some of it was lost following the injury to his right knee. After the injury, he relied more on tough running and engaging tacklers for extra yards.{{sfn|Layden|2010|p=3}}

Despite the production from Sayers, the Bears as a whole struggled to find success; in games that Sayers played, the team compiled a record of 29 wins, 36 losses, and 3 ties, and failed to reach the postseason. Because of this, Sayers' main focus each postseason was on the Pro Bowl, where he excelled.{{cite news|last1=Winderman|first1=Ira|title=Call To Glory Former Bear Gale Sayers Not Only Showed Up For The Pro Bowl—He Put On A Dazzling Show|url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1985-01-23/sports/8501030348_1_gale-sayers-black-head-coaches-nfl-commissioner|access-date=February 28, 2017|work=Sun-Sentinel|date=January 23, 1985|archive-date=February 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170228164803/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1985-01-23/sports/8501030348_1_gale-sayers-black-head-coaches-nfl-commissioner|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|last1=Myers|first1=Bob|title=Gale Sayers Gets Top Pro Billing|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/9237839/gale_sayers_gets_top_pro_billing/|access-date=February 28, 2017|work=News-Journal|agency=Associated Press|date=January 18, 1970|quote=No one will deny, however, that Sayers is something special in the Pro Bowl.|via=Newspapers.com}}{{cite news|last1=Larson|first1=Al|title=Gale Sayers Hopes to Keep Pro Bowl Award in 'Family|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/9238728/gale_sayers_hopes_to_keep_pro_bowl/|access-date=February 28, 2017|work=Independent Press-Telegram|date=January 17, 1970|page=51|via=Newspapers.com}} Showcasing his breakaway talents, throughout his Pro Bowl career he achieved runs of 74, 52, 51, 48, and 42 yards. In the Pro Bowl following his rookie season, he had kickoff returns of 51 and 48 yards, despite limited opportunities due to the East's attempts to punt and kick away from him.{{cite news|last1=Larson|first1=Al|title=West Plays Give-Away, Takes it on Chin|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/9237729/west_plays_giveaway_takes_it_on_chin/|access-date=February 28, 2017|work=Independent|date=January 17, 1966|location=Long Beach, California|page=17|via=Newspapers.com}} In the next season's game, his 10 yards-per-carry average set a Pro Bowl record. He was named the "Back of the Game", an honor he received again in 1968 and 1969, joining Johnny Unitas as the only players to win three Pro Bowl MVP awards. "The Pro Bowl is the time to prove how good you are, playing against the best of your peers," recalled Sayers. "I took it as a challenge. I came into the game in shape, came to play."

Brian Piccolo

In 1967, Sayers and Bears teammate Brian Piccolo became roommates in the NFL.{{cite news|last1=Mitchell|first1=Fred|title=Bears confident race not an issue on team|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2013/08/01/bears-confident-race-not-an-issue-on-team/|access-date=February 28, 2017|work=Chicago Tribune|date=August 1, 2013}} Sayers' ensuing friendship with Piccolo and Piccolo's struggle with cancer (embryonal cell carcinoma, which was diagnosed after it metastasized to a large tumor in his chest cavity) became the subject of the made-for-TV movie Brian's Song. The movie, in which Sayers was portrayed by Billy Dee Williams in the 1971 original and by Mekhi Phifer in the 2001 remake, was adapted from Sayers' account of this story in his 1970 autobiography, I Am Third.{{cite news|last1=Richman|first1=Milton|title=Gale Sayers is getting help from Brian Piccolo|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/9229741/gale_sayers_is_getting_help_from_brian/|access-date=February 28, 2017|work=The Columbus Telegram|agency=United Press International|date=December 17, 1970|page=12|via=Newspapers.com}} Sayers and Piccolo were devoted friends and deeply respectful of and affectionate with each other. Piccolo helped Sayers through rehabilitation after injury, and Sayers was by Piccolo's side throughout his illness until his death in June 1970.{{cite news|last1=Damer|first1=Roy|title=Bears Mourn for a Friend|url=http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1970/06/17/page/75/article/bears-mourn-for-a-friend|access-date=February 14, 2017|work=Chicago Tribune|date=June 17, 1970|page=1, section 3}}

Later life

=Sports administration and business career=

File:Gale Sayers at Contract Management Meeting 1986 Oak Ridge (24445004353).jpg

Sayers worked in the athletic department at his alma mater, the University of Kansas, for three and half years, before he was named the athletic director at Southern Illinois University Carbondale in 1976.{{cite news |author= |title=Gale Sayers named SIU athletic director |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/9290072/the_bakersfield_californian/ |newspaper=The Bakersfield Californian |agency=Associated Press |date=July 15, 1976 |page=20 |access-date=March 2, 2017 |via=Newspapers.com}} He resigned from his position at Southern Illinois in 1981.{{cite news |author= |title=Sayers' resignation as AD no surprise |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/9290289/the_galveston_daily_news/ |newspaper=The Galveston Daily News|agency=United Press International |date=July 14, 1981 |page=12 |access-date=March 2, 2017 |via=Newspapers.com }} From 1985 to 1986, Sayers worked as the athletic director at Tennessee State University in Nashville, TN.{{cite news|title=National Football League Hall of Famer Gale Sayers was...|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1985/08/24/National-Football-League-Hall-of-Famer-Gale-Sayers-was/1382493704000/}}

In 1984, Sayers founded Crest Computer Supply Company in the Chicago area. Under Sayers' leadership, this company experienced consistent growth and was renamed Sayers 40, Inc.{{Cite web|title=Sayers|url=https://www.sayers.com/about/|website=Sayers.com}} He was chairman of Sayers 40, Inc., the aforementioned technology consulting and implementation firm serving Fortune 1000 companies nationally with offices in Vernon Hills, Illinois, Walpole, Massachusetts, Clearwater, Florida, and Atlanta. Sayers, along with his wife Ardythe, were also active philanthropists in Chicago. He supported the Cradle Foundation—an adoption organization in Evanston, Illinois, and founded the Gale Sayers Center in the Austin neighborhood of Chicago. The Gale Sayers Center is an after-school program for children ages 8–12 from Chicago's west side and focuses on leadership development, tutoring, and mentoring.{{sfn|Layden|2010|p=2}} In 2009, Sayers joined the University of Kansas Athletic Department staff as Director of Fundraising for Special Projects.{{cite news|title=KU brings Sayers back to his alma mater|url=http://www2.kusports.com/news/2009/aug/31/sayers-join-ku-athletic-staff/|access-date=February 13, 2017|work=kusports.com|publisher=Lawrence Journal-World|date=August 31, 2009}}

=Concussion lawsuits=

In September 2013, Sayers reportedly sued the NFL, claiming the league negligently handled his repeated head injuries during his career. The lawsuit claimed Sayers suffered headaches and short-term memory loss since retirement. It stated he was sometimes sent back into games after suffering concussions, and that the league did not do enough to protect him.{{cite news|last1=Hirst|first1=Ellen Jean|title=Gale Sayers sues NFL, claims memory loss from head injuries|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-gale-sayers-sues-nfl-claims-memory-loss-from-head-injuries-20130920-story.html|access-date=February 13, 2017|work=Chicago Tribune|date=September 20, 2013}} The case was withdrawn after Sayers initially claimed it was done so because the case was filed without his permission, but was actually withdrawn due to other litigation that Sayers was involved in at the time. Sayers filed a new lawsuit in January 2014 along with six other former players.{{cite news|last1=Fenno|first1=Nathan|title=As NFL concussion settlement filed, Bears legend Gale Sayers sues|url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/blog/screen-play/2014/jan/7/nfl-concussion-settlement-filed-bears-legend-gale-/|access-date=February 13, 2017|work=The Washington Times|date=January 7, 2014}} The lawsuit was finally settled in late October, 2017. Sayers was represented by James Acho.{{cite news |url=https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2017/11/02/nfl-concussion-settlement-payouts-slow-coming-former-detroit-lions/821447001/ |title=NFL concussion settlement payouts slow coming for former Detroit Lions |author=Dave Birkett |work=Detroit Free Press |date=2017-11-02 |access-date=2022-11-05}}

=Legacy and honors=

==Records==

Sayers' record of 22 touchdowns in a season was broken by O. J. Simpson in 1975, who scored 23;{{cite news|title=About retiring: OJ still undecided|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8993485/about_retiring_oj_still_undecided/|access-date=February 17, 2017|work=The Delta Democrat-Times|agency=United Press International|date=December 21, 1975|page=27|via=Newspapers.com}} his 22 touchdowns remains a rookie record as of 2021.{{cite book|editor1-last=Lee|editor1-first=Brendon|editor2-last=Gellerman|editor2-first=Jake|title=2016 Official National Football League Record & Fact Book|date=2016|publisher=National Football League|url=http://www.nfl.com/static/content/public/photo/2015/07/21/0ap3000000502939.pdf|access-date=February 17, 2017|archive-date=November 6, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151106030504/http://www.nfl.com/static/content/public/photo/2015/07/21/0ap3000000502939.pdf|url-status=dead}}{{rp|545}} Sayers was the last player to score at least six touchdowns in a game until 2020, when Alvin Kamara scored six against the Minnesota Vikings. His career kickoff return average of 30.56 yards is an NFL record for players with at least 75 attempts,{{rp|560}}{{cite web|title=NFL Career Yards per Kick Return Leaders|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/leaders/kick_ret_yds_per_ret_career.htm|website=Pro Football Reference|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|access-date=February 17, 2017}} and he is one of several players to have scored two return touchdowns in a game.{{rp|561}} He is tied with four other players for the second most career kickoff return touchdowns, with six.{{rp|560}} Sayers' rookie record of 2,272 all-purpose yards was broken in 1988 by Tim Brown, who gained 2,317 yards through 16 games, which was two more games than Sayers set the record in.{{cite news|last1=Baker|first1=Chris|title=Suddenly, Tim Brown Is Making Third Downs His Own|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-12-17-sp-5101-story.html|access-date=February 17, 2017|work=Los Angeles Times|date=December 17, 1990}} His single-season all-purpose yards record of 2,440 set in 1966 was broken in 1974 by Mack Herron, who surpassed it by four yards.{{cite news|last1=Eidge|first1=Frank|title=Mack Herron sets NFL yardage mark, breaking Gale Sayers' old record|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8997556/mack_herron_sets_nfl_yardage_mark/|access-date=February 17, 2017|work=The Berkshire Eagle|agency=United Press International|date=December 16, 1974|page=34|via=Newspapers.com}}

==Post-career recognition==

File:Gale Sayers.jpg

Sayers was elected to the Lincoln Journal's Nebraska Sports Hall of Fame in 1973, the first black athlete to be so honored.{{cite news|last1=Parker|first1=Virgil|title=Football Fan Sayers Receives Honor: Joins Nebraska Sports Hall of Fame|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8958468/football_fan_sayers_receives_honor/|access-date=February 15, 2017|work=Lincoln Evening Journal|date=December 25, 1973|page=50|via=Newspapers.com}} He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1977. His number 48 jersey is one of three retired by the Kansas Jayhawks football team.{{cite news|last1=Chatmon|first1=Brandon|title=Numbers you don't mess with in the Big 12|url=http://www.espn.com/blog/ncfnation/post/_/id/111328/numbers-you-dont-mess-with-in-the-big-12|access-date=March 21, 2017|work=ESPN.com|date=June 3, 2015}}

Later in 1977, Sayers was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame and is still the youngest inductee in its history. On October 31, 1994, at halftime of a Monday night game, the Bears retired his number 40 at Soldier Field, along with number 51, which had been worn by teammate, linebacker Dick Butkus.{{sfn|Chicago Tribune|2015|p=202}} The Pro Football Hall of Fame selection committee named Sayers to its NFL 1960s All-Decade Team, which is composed of the best players of the 1960s at each position.{{cite web|title=NFL's All-Decade Team of 1960s|url=http://www.profootballhof.com/news/nfl-s-all-decade-team-of-1960s/|publisher=Pro Football Hall of Fame|access-date=February 14, 2017|date=January 15, 2010}} In 1969, Sayers was selected to the NFL 50th Anniversary All-Time Team.{{Cite news |date=September 7, 1969 |title=Unitas QBs NFL Team |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tampa-tribune-nfl-50th-anniversary-t/48315094/ |work=Tampa Tribune |pages=34}} In 1994, Sayers was selected for the NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team as both a halfback and a kickoff returner; he was the only player selected for multiple positions.{{cite news|title=Very Best of the NFL|newspaper=Detroit Free Press|date=August 24, 1994|page=1D|access-date=February 14, 2017|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/6818249/the_very_best_of_the_nfl/|via=Newspapers.com}} In 2019, he was one of twelve running backs selected to the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team. In 1999, he was ranked 22nd on The Sporting News's list of the 100 Greatest Football Players.{{cite news|title=Sporting News Top 100 Football Players|newspaper=Democrat and Chronicle|date=August 15, 1999|page=3D|access-date=February 13, 2017|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4376402/sporting_news_top_100_football_players/|via=Newspapers.com}}

=Illness and death=

In March 2017, Sayers' wife, Ardythe, revealed that he had been diagnosed with dementia four years prior. She stated that a Mayo Clinic doctor confirmed it was likely caused by his football career. "It wasn't so much getting hit in the head," she said. "It's just the shaking of the brain when they took him down with the force they play the game in."{{cite news|title=Gale Sayers Has Dementia, His Family Says|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/21/sports/gale-sayers-has-dementia-his-family-says.html|access-date=March 22, 2017|work=The New York Times|agency=Associated Press|date=March 21, 2017}} While he remained physically healthy, the disease had an adverse effect on his mental health and memory in particular, making simple tasks such as signing his own name difficult.{{cite news|last1=Boren|first1=Cindy|title=Gale Sayers and Dwight Clark, NFL legends with bad diagnoses, 'suspect' football is to blame|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/early-lead/wp/2017/03/20/gale-sayers-and-dwight-clark-nfl-legends-with-bad-diagnoses-suspect-football-is-to-blame/|access-date=June 4, 2017|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=March 20, 2017}} After suffering from dementia for several years,{{Cite news|last=Pompei|first=Dan|title='Keep praying for Gale': Bears legend Sayers is coming back for the team's celebration, but he needs help|url=https://theathletic.com/1009883/2019/06/05/keep-praying-for-gale-bears-legend-sayers-is-coming-back-for-the-teams-celebration-but-he-needs-help/|access-date=September 23, 2020|website=The Athletic}} Sayers died on September 23, 2020, at the age of 77.{{cite web|url = https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/23/sports/football/gale-sayers-dead.html|title = Gale Sayers Dies; Elusive Hall of Fame Running Back Was 77|last = George|first = Vecsey|date = September 23, 2020|access-date = September 23, 2020|work = The New York Times|archive-url = https://archive.today/20200924071516/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/23/sports/football/gale-sayers-dead.html |archive-date = September 24, 2020|url-status = live}}

Notes and references

=Bibliography=

{{cite book|author1=Chicago Tribune staff|title=The Chicago Tribune Book of the Chicago Bears: A Decade-By-Decade History|date=2015|publisher=Agate Publishing|isbn=978-1572847583|ref={{sfnRef|Chicago Tribune|2015}} }}
{{cite magazine|last=Layden |first=Tim |title=Part Iii: The Icon |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1173398/index.htm |magazine=Sports Illustrated |volume=113 |issue=6 |access-date=March 2, 2013 |date=August 23, 2010 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100825195132/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1173398/index.htm |archive-date=August 25, 2010 }}
{{cite book|last1=Sayers|first1=Gale|last2=Mitchell|first2=Fred|title=Sayers: My Life and Times|date=2007|publisher=Triumph Books|isbn=978-1572439955|ref={{sfnRef|Sayers & Mitchell|2007}}|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/sayersmylifetime00gale}}

External links

[http://www.sayers.com Sayers Technology, LLC] – Sayers-owned technology consulting firm
{{Profootballhof|id=188|name=Gale Sayers}}
{{cfbhof|id=1887|name=Gale Sayers}}
{{Footballstats |nfl=Gale-Sayers|espn= |cbs= |yahoo= |fox= |si= |pfr=S/SayeGa00 |rotoworld=}}
{{IMDb name|id=0768469}}

{{Tennessee State Tigers and Lady Tigers athletic director navbox}}

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