Tag: Gale Sayers

WATCH: Gale Sayers highlight video

Check out these highlights of Chicago Bears Hall of Fame running back, Gale Sayers.

Chicago Bears Hall of Fame running back, Gale Sayers, died Wednesday at 77 years old.

Sayers totaled 9,435 combined net yards and 4,956 yards rushing. Sayers was a five-time All-Pro, made four Pro Bowls and was a first-ballot Hall of Famer.

Known as the Kansas Comet, Sayers’ career was cut short by knee injuries. He played just seven seasons and retired in 1972. Still, his impact on the league was immense.

Sayers’ explosive and field-flipping style of play was ahead of its time.  Check out what made him so great in these highlights:

Legendary Chicago Bears running back Gale Sayers dies at 77

Pro Football Hall of Famer Gale Sayers, the great Chicago Bears running back, has died at the age of 77

The world of football has lost one of its greatest Hall of Famers. Chicago Bears running back Gale Sayers died Wednesday at the age of 77.

He had been diagnosed with dementia in 2012, his wife Ardythe announced in 2017.

“All those who love the game of football mourn the loss of one of the greatest to ever play this Game with the passing of Chicago Bears legend Gale Sayers,” Hall of Fame president and CEO David Baker said in a statement. “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. Despite playing only 68 NFL games because of an injury-shortened career, Gale was 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.

“The entire Pro Football Hall of Fame family mourns the passing of Gale. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Ardie, and their entire family. We will forever keep his legacy alive to serve as inspiration for future generations. The Hall of Fame flag will fly at half-staff until he is laid to rest.”

Sayers, the “Kansas Comet,” was drafted in 1965 out of Kansas. The Bears had back-to-back selections and chose Dick Butkus out of Illinois third and then Sayers fourth.

Sayers scored 56 touchdowns in 64 games over his first five seasons in the NFL from 1965-69 — 39 rushing, nine receiving, six on kickoff returns, and two on punt returns. He also threw a touchdown pass. Sayers totaled 9,435 all-purpose yards.

“If you wish to see perfection as a running back, you had best get a hold of a film of Gale Sayers,” Bears founder George Halas said in 1977 when he presented Sayers for Hall of Fame enshrinement. “He was poetry in motion. His like will never be seen again.”

His career was ruined by a knee injury suffered against the San Francisco 49ers in 1968.

Per the Chicago Tribune:

The play — “49 Toss Left” — was called in the huddle by quarterback Virgil Carter. It was designed to be run to the outside of the left tackle. It called for Sayers’ blocker, Randy Jackson, to lead the way, but instead of waiting a half second for the play to unfold, Sayers instinctively ran up on the heels of his blocker.

Sayers planted his right leg to make a cut, but San Francisco 49ers right cornerback back Kermit Alexander lunged ahead and pounced on his leg.

There was no arthroscopic surgery then and the damage done took away much of his speed and elusiveness. He did run for a league-leading 1,032 yards in 1969 but suffered another knee injury the following year.

Sayers gained mainstream notice for his friendship with fellow Bears RB Brian Piccolo. Their bond became the movie “Brian’s Song, which told the story of how the free-agent Piccolo and Sayers became close friends and of cancer that struck down Piccolo.

“You flatter me by giving me this award,” Sayers said in his speech for the George Halas Award. “But I tell you that I accept it for Brian Piccolo. It is mine tonight. It is Brian Piccolo’s tomorrow.”

Bears Hall of Fame RB Gale Sayers has passed away at age 77

The NFL has lost a legend as Bears Hall of Fame RB Gale Sayers passed away Wednesday at the age of 77.

The Chicago Bears have had some amazing talent at the running back position in their storied 100-year history. And you can’t talk about running backs — whether it’s the Bears or the NFL — without mentioning Hall of Famer Gale Sayers.

But just as 2020 has taken many good things from us, it also took Sayers, who passed away on Wednesday at age 77.

“All those who love the game of football mourn the loss of one of the greatest to ever play this Game with the passing of Chicago Bears legend Gale Sayers,” Hall of Fame president and CEO David Baker said in a statement. “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. Despite playing only 68 NFL games because of an injury-shortened career, Gale was 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.

“The entire Pro Football Hall of Fame family mourns the passing of Gale. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Ardie, and their entire family. We will forever keep his legacy alive to serve as inspiration for future generations. The Hall of Fame flag will fly at half-staff until he is laid to rest.”

Throwback Thursday: Bears topple Giants in 1965

The Chicago Bears took it to the New York Giants in Yankee Stadium in 1965, and we look back on that game in our latest Throwback Thursday.

The New York Giants finished 3-9 in 1953, the last year of legendary coach Steve Owen’s 24-year stewardship of the team. Jim Lee Howell would take over and lead the Giants to seven consecutive winning seasons, three NFL Championship Games and a league championship in 1956.

Howell gave way in 1961 to Allie Sherman, who took the Giants to three consecutive championship games, losing all three. By 1964, the Giants were old and falling apart. They finished 2-10-2, earning them the first overall pick in the 1965 NFL Draft, which was held at the Summit Hotel in New York on Nov. 28, 1964.

The Giants held the first pick, followed by San Francisco (4-10), the Pittsburgh Steelers (5-9) and the Chicago Bears (5-9). The Bears would actually pick third and fourth in 1965, having acquired the Steelers’ selection via trade in late 1963.

The Giants selected Auburn fullback Tucker Frederickson to help bolster their backfield. San Francisco also went the running back route with North Carolina fullback Ken Willard.

Then the Bears were on the clock and took two players who are still talked about to this day: Illinois linebacker Dick Butkus and Kansas halfback Gale Sayers.

The Bears came into Yankee Stadium that fall to play the Giants, and three of the NFL’s top four draft picks were on display for the football world to see. Both teams had improved their lot from the year before. The Bears were 6-4 and the Giants 5-5.

It wasn’t much of a game. Chicago led, 21-0, at halftime and won the game easily, 35-14. Sayers rushed 13 times for 113 yards and two scores. Butkus had an interception off of Giants quarterback Earl Morrall.

Frederickson had 12 carries for 37 yards and did not catch a pass. It was indicative of how the three players’ careers would go. Frederickson, after racking up 836 total yards and six touchdowns as a rookie, injured his knee and missed the 1965 season. He never really got back on track and retired after 1971 season.

Willard was a key cog on the 49ers teams that went to two straight NFC Championship Games in 1970 and ’71. He would go on to be named to four Pro Bowls, and when he retired in 1974, his 6,105 rushing yards were the eighth-most in NFL history.

Butkus and Sayers became household names who both ended up in Canton. The Bears, however, didn’t fare much better than the Giants in the late 1960s and early ’70s. Sayers battled serious knee injuries and was out of football after the ’71 season, just like Frederickson. Butkus became the standard at middle linebacker for several years (and beyond) but was gone after the ’73 season. Neither ever got to play in a postseason game.

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Eagles’ RB Miles Sanders says he left ‘200 or 300 yards’ on the field as a rookie

Eagles’ RB Miles Sanders says he left ‘200 or 300 yards’ on the field as a rookie

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Miles Sanders stepped out of Saquon Barkley’s shadow as an NFL rookie, hoisting the Eagles offense on his back at times as the team won four straight to secure the NFC East crown.

Sanders felt he had a season worthy of being the NFL Rookie of the Year and during a zoom meeting with the media, made it clear that he could have been even better.

Sanders was electric as a rookie, rushing for 818 yards and told the media that he felt like he should have been a 1,000 yard back, stating that he left “200 or 300 yards” on the field last season.

Sanders racked up a total of 1,327 yards from scrimmage, leading all NFL rookies in that category while also joining Barkley, Marshall Faulk, Gale Sayers in NFL history to run for 800 yards (818) and have 500 yards receiving (509) as rookies.

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It’s been 50 years since Brian Piccolo passed away

Today marks the 50th anniversary of the death of Chicago Bears running back Brian Piccolo, who succumbed to cancer in 1970.

Today marks the 50th anniversary of the death of Chicago Bears running back Brian Piccolo, who succumbed to cancer in 1970.

Piccolo is best known for his friendship with Bears Hall-of-Fame running back Gale Sayers, which was highlighted in the film Brian’s Song that debuted on Nov. 30, 1971, starring Billy Dee Williams and James Caan.

Following Sayers’ season-ending knee injury in 1968, Piccolo worked with Sayers to rehab his knee, and that’s where their friendship flourished. Sayers came back to lead the NFL in rushing 1,032 yards and eight touchdowns.

As highlighted in Brian’s Song, which has brought countless people to tears, Sayers gave a heartfelt speech just three weeks before Piccolo’s death to accept the George S. Halas Award as the NFL’s most courageous player. Sayers took that time to honor Piccolo’s strength and courage.

“You flatter me by giving me this award,” Sayers said. “But I tell you here and now that I accept it for Brian Piccolo. Brian Piccolo is the man of courage who should receive the award. It is mine tonight. It is Brian Piccolo’s tomorrow.

“I love Brian Piccolo, and I’d like all of you to love him. When you hit your knees to pray tonight, please ask God to love him, too.

“He has the mental attitude that makes me proud to have a friend who spells out the word ‘courage’ 24 hours a day every day of his life.”

Every year, the Bears give out the Brian Piccolo Award, which honors one veteran and one rookie who “best exemplifies the courage, loyalty, teamwork, dedication and sense of humor of the late Brian Piccolo.”

Last year, defensive tackle Akiem Hicks and linebacker Roquan Smith were the recipients of the award.

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50 years ago, Gale Sayers paid stirring tribute to Brian Piccolo

Fifty years ago, Gale Sayers delivered an emotional speech about fellow Chicago Bears RB Brian Piccolo

Fifty years ago on May 25, 1970, Gale Sayers accepted the George S. Halas Award at a dinner in New York City. His speech was emotional and left the 600 in attendance awed.

Gale Sayers, the great running back, spoke from the heart about his friend and fellow Bears RB Brian Piccolo.

 Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Sayers was a first-round pick out of Kansas. Piccolo was an undrafted free agent out of Wake Forest. The two struck up an unlikely friendship. Piccolo died at age 26 from embryonal cell carcinoma, an aggressive form of germ cell testicular cancer, first diagnosed after it had spread to his chest cavity.

The video below is from “Brian’s Song,” one of the great sports movies of all-time that premiered on ABC. The speech is re-enacted by actor Billy Dee Williams, who played Sayers in the movie. James Caan played Brian Piccolo.

The trailer for the 1971 movie:

Cordarrelle Patterson talks Bears kick-returner legacy at Pro Bowl

The Bears have a rich legacy of kick returners in their 100-year history, and Cordarrelle Patterson is the latest.

For a franchise known for its linebackers and running backs, the Chicago Bears have a rich legacy of kick returners in their 100-year history. From George McAfee to Gale Sayers to Walter Payton to Jerry Azumah to Danieal Manning to Devin Hester, there is no NFL team with a richer history of kick returners.

Cordarrelle Patterson is the latest in a long line of successful kick returners in Chicago. But Patterson doesn’t consider himself up there with two of the greatest returners of all-time: Hester or Sayers.

“It’s a blessing, but I’m just trying to do my job,” Patterson said. “I would never be as great as Devin Hester or Gale Sayers. I just try to do my job each and every day, and it’s just an honor to play on the same field those guys played on.”

Hester and Sayers are two of the best returners in NFL history — and Hester is the greatest ever. But still, Patterson’s career as a kick returner isn’t something to turn your head at.

Patterson, who has earned three Pro Bowl nods, ranks second all-time with a 29.9-yard kickoff return average. He has seven career kick return touchdowns, which is the third most in NFL history, just one behind co-leaders Leon Washington and Josh Cribbs.

Patterson was one of the few bright spots in the Bears’ disappointing 2019 season. In his first year in Chicago, Patterson finished second in the NFL with a 29.5-yard average on 28 kickoff returns, one of which was a 102-yard touchdown against the Saints. He also led the league with 825 kick-return yards.

“There aren’t many guys who are 6-2, 6-3, 220 [pounds], run 4.3 and can cut on a dime,” Patriots special-teams standout Matthew Slater said. “God didn’t make too many of those guys.

“I think you couple that with the fact that he’s so aggressive when he gets out of there with the ball in his hands. He wants to make plays. He loves the game. He’s there for his teammates. I can’t say enough good things about him. His skillset and who he is as a person I think has led him to being arguably one of the best returners in the 100-year history of the game. I sure wish he was still with us and not with [the Bears].”

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3 Bears make list of top 11 college football players of all-time

College football unveiled the top-11 collegiate players of all time, and 3 of them went on to play for the Chicago Bears.

As college football celebrates its 150th season, they’ve counted down the top collegiate players of all time. During halftime of Monday’s National Championship Game, they unveiled the top-11 college players of all time — and three of them went on to play for the Chicago Bears.

Running back Red Grange, linebacker Dick Butkus and running back Gale Sayers made the list. All three are Hall of Famers and played their whole careers with the Bears.

Here’s the full list:

  1. Jim Brown
  2. Herschel Walker
  3. Bo Jackson
  4. Archie Griffin
  5. Jim Thorpe
  6. Red Grange
  7. Earl Campbell
  8. Dick Butkus
  9. Barry sanders
  10. Gale Sayers
  11. Roger Staubach

Oh, and let us not forget…

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Revisiting the Marshawn Lynch Hall of Fame debate

Will a late career playoff run help propel Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch into the Hall of Fame?

Marshawn Lynch cited “unfinished business” when he returned to the NFL with the Seattle Seahawks on Monday. His goal is to once again lead Seattle to a Super Bowl appearance, likely hoping to avenge the team’s heartbreaking loss in Super Bowl XLIX.

However, Lynch also has an opportunity to pad his already stellar case for the Hall of Fame, and while that’s not his top priority, it is worth exploring with his expected return to the field on Sunday.

Lynch had a strong case long before this reunion, which now pushes his eligibility back to 2025.

Currently, Beast Mode is 29th all-time in rushing with 10,379 yards. 17 running backs, including Gale Sayers and Terrell Davis, have fewer yards than Lynch and are in the Hall.

If Lynch is able to rush for 81 yards on Sunday (which, frankly, would be challenging) he would pass both Eddie George and Tiki Barber to move into 27th all time, just behind Thomas Jones.

Rushing yards aren’t the only thing that matters to Hall voters, but Lynch’s persona, playoff heroics and other intangibles make him a strong candidate for the Hall of Fame, and a late-career rejuvenation and playoff run would all but seal the deal for Beast Mode.

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