“I had a very short career, but a very good career. I was satisfied with that.”
—Gale Sayers
Gale Eugene Sayers, the “will-o’-the-wisp running back” whose mesmerizing style on the football field transcended the sporting realm, has died at 77 in his Wakarusa, Ind. home. Causes were linked to dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
Sayers captured attention as “The Kansas Comet,” at the University of Kansas (KU) where he excelled in football and track. Drafted in 1965 by the Chicago Bears, he epitomized poetry in motion. With more then average speed (9.7 in the 100 yard dash), his real forte was misdirection.
(Now) disgraced comedian and sports fanatic Bill Cosby explained it thusly in the introduction to Sayers’ 1970 autobiography “I am Third”: “He is the man who splits himself in half and leaves the half without the football with the tackler.”
The TV movie adaption (1971’s “Brian’s Song”) of this book became a tearjerker, depicting his “bro-mance” relationship with cancer-ridden teammate Brian Piccolo.
Sayers’ accolades included Rookie of the Year, three Pro Bowl MVP awards (an honor he shares with Quarterback Johnny Unitas), and his jersey numbers being retired by the Bears (40) and his alma mater (48).
In seven years (1965-1971) he was only able to play four full seasons due to a series of injuries, the last in the 1970 preseason.
Afterwards, Sayers found a place in the front office with KU, then at Southern Illinois University where he was athletic director (1976-1981).
After his athletic career, Sayers notched up success in the business realm, first with a sports management company “Sayers and Sayers Enterprises,” then an Information Technology firm, “Sayers Computer Source (https://www.sayers.com/).”
A statute of Sayers will be installed prior to KU’s home game against Oklahoma State on Oct. 3.
