Posted on 09/23/2020 7:25:34 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin
Gale Sayers, one of the most electric NFL players of the 1960s and early 1970s, has died. He was 77 years old.
The Pro Football Hall of Famer was a brilliant running back and returner who spent only seven years in the league, all with the Chicago Bears, from 1965 to 1971.
“The NFL family lost a true friend today with the passing of Gale Sayers,” NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. “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.
"We will also forever remember Gale for his inspiration and kindness. Gale's quiet unassuming demeanor belied his determination, competitiveness and compassion. We send our heartfelt condolences to his wife Ardie, and their family. Our thoughts are with his teammates, the Bears organization, the many fans who remember him as a football player and the many more people who were touched by Gale's spirit and generosity.”
Nicknamed the “Kansas Comet” after a brilliant college career with the Jayhawks, Sayers had one of the NFL’s all-time best rookie seasons after entering the league as the fourth overall selection in the 1965 NFL draft.
Sayers set a league record that first season by scoring 22 touchdowns — including a record-tying six in a single game — and gained 2,272 all-purpose yards. He was named the NFL's Rookie of the Year and would earn four Pro Bowl appearances and five first-team All-Pro selections in his first five seasons.
(Excerpt) Read more at msn.com ...
Many professional athletes do terrible damage to their bodies, particularly football players and boxers.
They're trying to reach peak performance in a short period of time, as opposed to pursuing long term health. Injuries play a big part, and the average football player's career is over at 28. Many of these people have had to work out so hard during their careers they have no desire to ever see the inside of a gym again.
On to Gale Sayers, he played during the era when players were legit trying to end careers with some of their hits. The first Sayers injury was a helmet directly to the side of his knee, and yeah it was a deliberate launch.
I happen to know an Ex-NFL offensive lineman. The first thing he did when he retired was to lose 100 lbs, both fat and muscle, as his workout and eating regime changed radically. No way he could have gone through life at 300+ lbs. Now he exercises like a “normal” human being.
Also, his knees are bad and he has broken bones in his neck. He’s more like a wounded war vet in that regard.
I agree, if you love working out, and being in good shape, then heck yes! by all means do it. But don’t do it if you actually hate it but thinking.. well.. yeah... this is awful, but I’ll live longer!
He came from a time when athletes were someone you could look up to.
“He came from a time when athletes were someone you could look up to.”
Well said.
I had two close family members who might have lived into their 90s if they hadn't smoked. Both died in their sixties and in both cases, their attending physicians said that they were in great health except for the damage that tobacco caused. Both died of lung cancer.
It’s such a foreign thought that people don’t enjoy playing sports or exercising, that it’s hard for me to comprehend.
I guess it’s a blessing for people like us.
Back in the day when some running backs would return kicks. Sayers was always a pleasure to watch.
Payton and Sayers, two of the best athletes from any sport. IMHO
“God is first, my friends are second, and I am third” He is now resting comfortably in Abraham’s bosom with his good friend Brian Piccolo.
Another NFL player who didn’t do SJW...Brian Piccolo was great...I guess GOD drafted a running back for HIS team. RIP, Gale and prayers to his family.
Unfortunately, Sayers was his most electric before the era of videotape so generations can’t appreciate how incredibly fast and shifty he was as a runner before his knees were torn up. He was a generational talent and the terrific movie “Brian’s Song” illustrated how even a Southern player could love and embrace a Black player back in the ‘60s. If somebody wanted to claim Brian Piccolo was racist based on his skin color, that person deserves to be punched in the face.
Rock Chalk Jayhawk.....
John C’s speech was in the movie ‘Something for Joey’ a movie about John’s brother battle with leukemia. Great movie. As a PSU fan, I’ve met John, Joey and JoePa.
Class act all the way. Say hi to Brian Piccalo Gayle.
Not as ignorant as supporting a company who supports Marxist causes.
I’m pretty sure that Sayers played prior to the fad with steroids.
Steroids were around in the 50’s, but that isn’t what I was suggesting.
The amount of intense exercise, combined with high caloric consumption, is hard on the body.
Controlling inflammation seems to be important to health, as well as proper hormone levels.
All the great running backs are a joy to watch: Campbell, Sanders, Payton, Bo Jackson, Sayers. It’s as if every time they touch the ball they were on a mission to score and they never went to the ground easy.
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