Bears’ Hall of Fame RB Gale Sayers dies at 77
Gale “Kansas Comet” Sayers, who is seen as one of the most exciting players in NFL history, died Wednesday at the age of 77.
David Baker of the Pro Football Hall of Fame made the announcement Wednesday morning. The cause of death was not revealed during this announcement.
Baker described the Comet as the following, “He was the very essence of a team player — quiet, unassuming and always ready to compliment a teammate for a key block. Gale was an extraordinary man who overcame a great deal of adversity during his NFL career and life. The ‘Kansas Comet’ burst onto the scene in the National Football League and captured the attention of all of America.” Baker also described Sayers as being a “…clear-cut — and first-ballot — Hall of Famer for his accomplishments on the field and for the man of character he was in life.”
Despite only having a 68-game career due to numerous injuries, Sayers is considered one of the best RB to ever touch an NFL field. Sayers was placed at #22 on the NFL top 100 players just last year.
In his extremely short career, Sayers racked up an astounding 4,956 rushing yards on 991 carries along with scoring 39 TDs, 22 of which came from his rookie season. Sayers also averaged 5.0 yards per carry at the end of his career. Sayers’ #40 jersey was retired by the Chicago Bears on Oct. 31, 1994.
The Kansas Comet was named to the 1960s’ All-Decade team by the Pro Football Hall of Fame committee. This achievement was followed by Sayers being named to the NFL 75th-anniversary all-time team as a running back and a kick returner. Sayers is the only player selected for multiple positions on that team. Finally, Sayers was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1977, just a short five years after his early retirement.
Gale Sayers was a fantastic football player who will be greatly missed throughout the entire NFL. Rest easy Comet, we’re all going to miss you.
