By Andrew Rosario
 
The NFL lost a true legend with the passing of Chicago Bears running back Gale Sayers. Known as the “Kansas City Comet” from his college days at Kansas, Sayers took the Bears and the league by storm. The all-purpose back ran through and around defenses setting records along the way. Sayers set the bar scoring 22 touchdowns in his very first season including 6 in one game resulting in Offensive Rookie of the Year. The icing on the cake was being the youngest player (age 34) to be inducted into the Football Hall of Fame. Said Commissioner Roger Goodell, “Gale was one of the finest men in NFL history and one of the game’s most exciting players. Gale was an electrifying and elusive runner who thrilled fans every time he touched the ball. He earned his place as a first-ballot Hall of Famer.”
 
What Gale Sayers accomplished off the field was just as impressive. In an era where players where players were segregated by race when they were given hotel rooms, Sayers was paired with Brain Piccolo a white teammate. Their bond was solidified when it was discovered that Piccolo was diagnosed with cancer. The 1971 movie “Brian’s Song” starring Billy Dee Williams (Sayers) and James Caan (Piccolo) first appeared as a made for tv movie before being released in theaters. Not only did Sayers donate blood, he was with Piccolo until he passed away at age 26. “I love Brian Piccolo and I’d like all of you to love him, too. Tonight, when you hit your knees, please ask God to love him,” he would say.
 
 
 
 
 
Like many athletes, Sayers career would be cut short due to injuries. It did not stop him from success in the next phase of his life. Working with Chicago youth. As a business man and philanthropist, Sayers also excelled as a stockbroker. 
 
The city of Chicago boast some of sports greatest athletes. Michael Jordan, Ernie Banks, Sammy Sosa, Dick Butkus to name a few. Gale Sayers is right up there with them. At the Bears 100th anniversary celebration in 2019, Butkus said, “he was amazing. I still attribute a lot of my success from trying to tackle him.” 

Bears Hall of Fame linebacker Mike Singeltary said “it’s amazing someone that was so beautiful and gifted and talented as a player and later in life to have that happen to you is really, I know, tough on everybody.” 
 
Gale Sayers passed away last week from dementia at the age of 77. 
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