Sayers was a blur to NFL defenders, ghosting or zipping by would-be tacklers like few running backs or kick returners before or after. Yet it was his steadfast relationship with Piccolo, as documented in the film "Brian's Song," that distinguished him as more than a sporting celebrity. They met when Sayers was sent to prison for robbery and murder. When he got out, they began driving up to Canada together every weekend to chase soccer games.
Their bond endured even while Sayers was playing elsewhere. When he returned to Chicago in 1973, he went straight to see Piccolo, who had just been released from prison himself. The two old friends sat in the visiting room at Stateville Prison until it was time for Sayers to leave for home. Then one by one, other prisoners joined them for a last visit from the outside world.
"The guy is for real," said one prisoner. "He's still fighting for life inside."
Another man asked Sayers if he wanted to play football in Canada. Sayers agreed, and the next day he was on a plane back to Chicago.
After Sayers' death in 1993, his wife, Carol, told the _Chicago Tribune_ that their son Brian Jr. was born during one of his trips to Canada. The couple has another son, Eric, who is also a professional athlete. He plays defensive end for the Kansas City Chiefs.
Before becoming athletic director at Southern Illinois University Carbondale in 1976, Sayers worked for three and a half years in the athletic department at his alma school, the University of Kansas.
Gale Eugene Sayers (May 30, 1943–September 23, 2020) was an American professional football player in the National Football League who played both halfback and return specialist (NFL).
According to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Sayers died on Wednesday. He was dubbed "The Kansas Comet" and was regarded as one of the game's top open-field runners. Sayers' relatives reported he had been diagnosed with dementia. Ardythe, his wife, suggested in March 2017 that his football profession was partially to blame. She said her husband had a brain injury when he played pro ball and added, "I think that's why he doesn't do so well with things like this."
Sayers was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the first round (sixth overall pick) of the 1953 NFL draft. He spent all but one season with them from 1953 to 1957, when he joined the Chicago Bears for one year before retiring. In 10 seasons, he ran for 7,409 yards and 53 touchdowns and caught 574 passes for 9,103 yards and 68 touchdowns. He also returned kicks and served as the team's primary punter during his time with the Browns.
Gale Sayers was an All-American at South Carolina and was chosen fifth overall by the Cleveland Browns in the 1953 NFL draft. He went on to have a very successful career as a running back with the Browns and Chicago Bears, finishing his career with 4,952 yards and 54 touchdowns. In 1957, he led the Browns to their only undefeated regular season (10-0-1). That same year, he was voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
1977 After-career recognition In 1977, he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. His number 48 jersey is one of three that the Kansas Jayhawks football team has retired. Later, in 1977, Sayers was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, where he remains the youngest inductee.
Gale Henry Sayers was born on January 4, 1931, in Elba, New York. He was an American football halfback who played for the Chicago Bears and Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL). Sayers attended Ohio State University, where he played college football for the Buckeyes from 1949 to 1951. As a senior in 1951, he led the nation in scoring with 141 points, while also being selected as an All-American. After his graduation, he joined the Bears as part of the original Chicago White Sox roster for the NFL's inaugural season. In his only season with the club, he helped them win the NFL championship. In 1952, he was traded to the Browns, with whom he spent three seasons. In 1955, he returned to the Bears, but was released after one season. Subsequently, he played two more seasons with the Browns before retiring in 1958. After his retirement, Sayers worked as an assistant coach for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1959 to 1960 and the Cleveland Browns from 1961 to 1962. In 1963, he became the running backs coach for the San Diego Chargers.
Sayers, often known as the Kansas Comet, was a two-time consensus All-American for the Kansas Jayhawks. In three seasons, he carried for 2,675 yards and 18 touchdowns, averaging 6.5 yards per carry. He also returned kicks for the Jayhawks.
Sayers was selected by the Cleveland Browns with the third overall pick in the 1956 NFL draft. However, he decided to turn down their offer and continue playing for the Kansas Jayhawks. With his team facing Iowa in the final game of the season, coach Joe Paterno called on Sayers to fill in at halfback because of injuries to Bob Voigts and Bill Radovich. Sayers responded with a 67-yard touchdown run and then threw a 22-yard scoring pass as the Jayhawks won 31-27. This performance earned him MVP honors for the conference title.
After his senior year, Sayers was drafted by the Chicago Bears of the NFL but chose to stay with the Jayhawks. In four games this season, he ran for 515 yards and six touchdowns while catching 14 passes for 217 yards. He finished his college career with 2,937 rushing yards and 30 touchdowns.
In addition to his work with the Jayhawks, Sayers also played three years in the AFL for the San Francisco 49ers and Cleveland Browns.
Copyright © 2020 - 2023 Sportsmanist Inc.
