Gale Sayers, legendary Bears running back,
dead at 77
by
Justin Tasch
Original Article
Posted By: JoElla Bee,
9/23/2020 2:41:41 PM
Gale Sayers, the Chicago Bears Hall of Fame running back known as the “Kansas Comet,” has died at the age of 77 after battling dementia. “Coach [George] Halas said it best, when presenting Gale for induction at the Hall of Fame: ‘His like will never be seen again,'” Bears chairman George H. McCaskey said in a statement. 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 Correction*
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Reply 1 - Posted by:
Jethro bo 9/23/2020 2:47:40 PM (No. 550023)
Tears in my eyes. Loved him and want to be like him. Wore #40 through high school. So sad. I will miss, "God is first, others are second and I am third."
25 people like this.
Reply 2 - Posted by:
snakeoil 9/23/2020 2:53:54 PM (No. 550035)
Fabulous talent. Could run sideways faster than most players could run forward. In the 70s a movie was made called "Brian's Song" about he and his teammate Brian Piccolo. A tear jerker.
28 people like this.
Reply 3 - Posted by:
lazlototh 9/23/2020 3:08:24 PM (No. 550056)
In grade school - in the SF Bay Area in the 60s - we were all mesmerized by his running. I remember him in a TV interview saying that they played the All Pro game harder than a regular season game because the winners got $5000 each and it meant something to them. Today Sayers would negotiate a contract that would make him essentially a part owner of the team. Football was more fun to watch then and the players deserved more than most players get today. And I've stopped watching anything other than Youtube reruns.
15 people like this.
Reply 4 - Posted by:
Italiano 9/23/2020 3:11:54 PM (No. 550062)
Kansas Comet.
That (totally clean) hit by Kermit Alexander that took out his knee will always be cringe-inducing.
RIP.
9 people like this.
Reply 5 - Posted by:
snapper451 9/23/2020 3:21:02 PM (No. 550077)
A gentleman and a class act. I got to play golf with him in FL in a charity golf tournament in Sarasota and he could not have been kinder. One of the finest sportsman of his age who expressed his love of his family throughout our time together. May God bless his family in this time of loss.
24 people like this.
Reply 6 - Posted by:
Omen55 9/23/2020 3:46:40 PM (No. 550112)
Gale Sayers.
American.
18 people like this.
Reply 7 - Posted by:
Hazymac 9/23/2020 4:16:16 PM (No. 550141)
Hearing of Gale Sayers' passing also leaves me in tears. This man, who wrote the autobiographical I Am Third, which was the source of material for the movie Brian's Song, was a Christian and a gentleman, as nice a guy as you could ever meet. He played in only 76 NFL games, but is secure in the Hall of Fame because he was, as his friend Brian Piccolo said, "Magic." He was that was from the start.
In August1965 the Chicago Bears, quarterbacked by 1963 NFL Championship winning Bill Wade (#9), were at Vanderbilt's Dudley Stadium playing the Los Angeles Rams in an exhibition game. Mr. Wade, who would later by my Sunday School teacher for two years, was beginning his final season in the NFL on his farewell tour. But few spectators would remember what he did that day. Rather, all the talk was of the rookie from Kansas, #40, Gale Sayers, who broke three long plays--each over 50 yards--for touchdowns. One of those was IIRC a punt return, one a pass reception, one a run. On each play he made the Rams' defense look just silly. Road Runner in the flesh. I never saw anything like it. Fortunately, I saw it with mu own eyes. What a player.
And what a human being. Rest in peace and in glory, Mr. Sayers. Well done, good and faithful servant.
22 people like this.
Reply 8 - Posted by:
OTHunter 9/23/2020 4:29:23 PM (No. 550153)
One of the very best to ever have laced 'em up. Think Usain Bolt speed with Alvin Kamara elusiveness & hands. The guy was virtually unstoppable until that horrific knee injury all but ended his career. RIP, Mr. Sayers, from this longtime MN Vikings fan.
9 people like this.
Reply 9 - Posted by:
Newtsche 9/23/2020 4:29:23 PM (No. 550154)
RIP Mr. Sayers.
The most beautiful, entertaining running back to have ever played the game.
If you never saw him play in real time, consider yourself deprived.
For it's long history of professional sports failure, Chicago will always have
Gale Sayers and Ernie Banks.
10 people like this.
Reply 10 - Posted by:
Luke21 9/23/2020 4:46:27 PM (No. 550171)
Say hello to your old friend Brian. When they showed the movie, my science teacher had to have a discussion of death with his eighth grade class the next day. It was on ABC's movie of the week, a national event, and our parents didn't monitor what we watched back then.
In 2000, I thought I could watch "Brian's Song" without coming apart. It was 28 years later...When the two of them run towards the camera at film's end, I lost it again. One of the most moving and influential pictures I've ever seen. ,RIP to one of the true greats.
16 people like this.
Reply 11 - Posted by:
john56 9/23/2020 5:09:19 PM (No. 550199)
As a long time Green Bay Packer fan (and having watched Gale Sayers against the Packers of the 60s), well, my prayers and sympathy to his family and celebration of his arrival into Heaven, A great competitor and worthy opponent.
8 people like this.
Reply 12 - Posted by:
Corndoggies 9/23/2020 5:43:26 PM (No. 550250)
Bear Down in Heaven Mr Sayers.
5 people like this.
Reply 13 - Posted by:
vinegrower 9/23/2020 5:49:57 PM (No. 550258)
Our PBS station, here in SF Bay Area, just played Brian's Song on Saturday night. My husband and I watched it, still a real tearjerker. Remember watching it the first time, so sad. RIP, Sir
8 people like this.
Reply 14 - Posted by:
Aud 9/23/2020 6:07:52 PM (No. 550278)
Gale was fast, but I think his brother, Roger, might have been faster. In Omaha, Roger was known as “Roger the Rocket” when he played for Tech High.
4 people like this.
Reply 15 - Posted by:
Aud 9/23/2020 6:14:52 PM (No. 550287)
Hmm. Google says Central High, not Tech. Maybe having a senior moment :)’
1 person likes this.
Reply 16 - Posted by:
JoElla Bee 9/23/2020 9:57:37 PM (No. 550431)
Thank y’all so much for sharing your personal stories, thoughts and comments about this wonderful man and athlete. They confirm every good thought and belief I’ve had about Gale Sayers through the years.
I hope he knew how respected and loved he was, and I hope his family knows as well.
2 people like this.
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Comments:
I’m thankful to have been blessed to watch him play back when football, and sports, was about the game and the love of it. He was inspiring to many simply by dedicating himself to be the best at what he did. My sincere and deepest condolences to his family and all those who loved him.