Chicago Bears fans around the world are reacting to the sad news that Hall of Fame running back Gale Sayers has passed away at the age of 77.
The “Kansas Comet” was one of the most electrifying players in NFL history, let alone Bears history, setting the league on fire in the 1960s with his play and totaling 2,272 all-purpose yards in his rookie season. Sayers would burn bright during his seven seasons with the Bears, but had his career cut short due to injuries. The running back was selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1977 and was the youngest player ever inducted.
In 2013, Sayers was diagnosed with dementia, likely due to head injuries sustained in the NFL, according to his wife. He passed away on Wednesday morning.
Bears and NFL fans are sharing their thoughts about the Bears legend as news broke of his death.
Rest In Peace to a legend, Gale Sayers. pic.twitter.com/skJ80acMaM
— Ryan Heckman (@RyanHeckmanFS) September 23, 2020
Man, what it must have been like to watch Gale Sayers run at Wrigley Field. pic.twitter.com/VSQSjF6RQU
— Kevin Kaduk, Midway Minute (@KevinKaduk) September 23, 2020
Rest in heaven to Mr. Sayers #40
When I was drafted in 2008 he was our guide in Canton when we got to visit the HOF. Amazing inspiration before starting a career. Thanks for setting the standard for @ChicagoBears RB’s. You’ll be missed but always remembered.— Matt Forte (@MattForte22) September 23, 2020
Gale Sayers' light never was intended to burn long. It was intended to burn brightest, and it did. Rest In Peace to a legendary football player, philanthropist, and believer.
— Dan Pompei (@danpompei) September 23, 2020
Nooooo. Gale Sayers, the dazzling Chicago Bears running back and kick returner whose injury-shortened career made him the youngest player ever inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, died after a years-long decline in health that included dementia. He was 77.
— chuck swirsky (@ctsbulls) September 23, 2020
I just saw the news. Rest in peace Gale Sayers, and blessings to his family. Thank you for taking sports fans and Bears fans on this journey. pic.twitter.com/1tIMEQi4sp
— Jack M Silverstein (@readjack) September 23, 2020
RIP to one of the greatest to ever put on a #DaBears uniform.
Gale Sayers is one of the first Bears players my parents ever told me about. Left an ever lasting impact on generations of families and changed the game of football.
2020 takes another legend 😔 https://t.co/15VD0SixnN
— Austin F (@unclemike21) September 23, 2020
RIP to Gale Sayers. One of the most dynamic and electric players in NFL history. An All-Pro in each of his first five seasons, a two-time rushing champion and incredible return man as well. A football legend and great human.
(🎥: @nflthrowback) pic.twitter.com/nP3XP9m7MY
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) September 23, 2020
Pro Football Hall of Famer Gale Sayers passed away today at the age of 77. He was my dad’s favorite player and one of the first players he taught me about as a kid. pic.twitter.com/1fSm8eHv2h
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) September 23, 2020
i know many thing none of the stars of yesteryear could play today, but old heads talked about gale sayers like he was a superhero. hall of famer on the strength of five seasons.
— bomani (@bomani_jones) September 23, 2020
Rest In Peace Gale Sayers! One of the greatest to ever do it🙏
I have never seen so many legends lost in a single year. pic.twitter.com/zRNUUhoqyM
— DaWindyCity Productions (@DawindycityP) September 23, 2020
"You can't write the history of the NFL without Gale Sayers."
GMFB shares their thoughts and memories of the NFL Legend who passed away at the age of 77. pic.twitter.com/Xj1xf46xRK
— GMFB (@gmfb) September 23, 2020
"Brian's Song" was the first piece of media to make me cry. That was the humanity of Gale Sayers. And my dad used to tell me when I was a boy that if Sayers didn't get hurt he would have been better than Jim Brown, and my dad thought Brown was the greatest ever. #RIP https://t.co/2tdjRzQ8M2
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) September 23, 2020
My friend, neighbor and hero made his transition. One of the greatest football players and an even better friend. Rest In Peace, #GaleSayers. https://t.co/QEDC7ngdzd
— Rev Jesse Jackson Sr (@RevJJackson) September 23, 2020
From Omaha to Canton.
RIP Gale Sayers 🕊 pic.twitter.com/jndLpHymLV
— ⁴⁰²𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙣𝙤𝙧 (@MahomesToKelce) September 23, 2020
I'll never forget how loud the crowd got when @JeffJoniak announced Gale Sayers' name at last year's #Bears100 Celebration Weekend. It gave me absolute chills.
RIP pic.twitter.com/psQwyigCnd
— Nicholas Moreano (@NicholasMoreano) September 23, 2020
Gale Sayers was one of the most exciting athletes ever to witness. He was magical running with the football and I was fortunate to meet him at various times in our lives. May he Rest In Peace
— David Schuster (@Schumouse) September 23, 2020
Gale Sayers was the original cheat code. RIP.
— Matt Carstensen (@BearsNerd) September 23, 2020
RIP Gale Sayers. An all time great Bear and NFL HOFer.
I had the pleasure of working for his company, Sayers40, and got to meet him multiple times. He was a kind, soft spoken man with a larger than life presence. He will be greatly missed. #Bears pic.twitter.com/zCjHXYY8pL
— Mr. Fox (@MrPhocks) September 23, 2020
https://twitter.com/RyanCovay/status/1308763146308341760
Gale Sayers and Dick Butkus were the two players that made me a lifelong Bears fan. As a kid living overseas with nothing but Armed Forces Radio to listen to, I would sit by the radio during Bears games and be enthralled by the images of The Comet and The Bear. RIP Mr. Sayers.
— Ken Mitchell (@WCGBearsDenDude) September 23, 2020
George Halas said Gale Sayers was poetry in motion. That’s perfect. RIP pic.twitter.com/ATAV8PM3Vy
— Dan Gerson (@stangs09) September 23, 2020
Those 1960's Bears are the ones that captured my attention. I'm a fan because of legends like Gale Sayers and Dick Butkus.
— Tom Pollin (@tjpollin) September 23, 2020
My dad & I watched #GaleSayers back in the day. He would make an incredible mind-bending move & we would look 👀 at each other in amazement. One of the best running backs ever! #GaleSayersRIP pic.twitter.com/3aQQAZ8jGX
— Frank Baker (@captnzen) September 23, 2020
Gale Sayers has passed away at the age of 77. RIP Kansas Comet. 🙏🏽 #Bears pic.twitter.com/4L1Bx5PjzV
— Jarrett Payton (@paytonsun) September 23, 2020