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Bears Hall of Fame RB Sayers Dies at 77 ANDREW SELIGMAN and JIM LITKE Likely Roommates

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Bears Hall of Fame RB Sayers Dies at 77 ANDREW SELIGMAN and JIM LITKE Likely Roommates CASPER STAR-TRIBUNE SPORTS THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2020 | B3 NFL Bears Hall of Fame RB Sayers dies at 77 ANDREW SELIGMAN AND JIM LITKE likely roommates. Sayers was Black Associated Press and already a star; Piccolo was white CHICAGO — Gale Sayers, the and had worked his way up from the dazzling and elusive running back practice squad. Early on, they were who entered the Pro Football Hall competing for playing time and car- of Fame despite the briefest of ca- ries. reers and whose fame extended far But when the club dropped its beyond the field for decades thanks policy of segregating players by to a friendship with a dying Chicago race in hotel room assignments, Bears teammate, has died. He was 77. they forged a bond. In 1968, Piccolo Nicknamed “The Kansas Comet” helped Sayers through a tough rehab and considered among the best process while he recovered from a open-field runners the game has torn ligament in his right knee. Af- ever seen, Sayers died Wednesday, ter Sayers returned the next season according to the Pro Football Hall to become an All-Pro, he made sure of Fame. his friend shared in the credit. Relatives of Sayers had said he They became even closer after was diagnosed with dementia. In Piccolo pulled himself out of a game March 2017, his wife, Ardythe, said early in the 1969 season because of she partly blamed his football career. breathing difficulties and was di- “Football fans know well Gale’s agnosed with cancer. That phase many accomplishments on the of their friendship was recounted field: a rare combination of speed first by Sayers in his autobiography, and power as the game’s most elec- “I Am Third,” and then in the 1971 trifying runner, a dangerous kick movie “Brian’s Song.” returner, his comeback from a seri- FILE, AP With actor Billy Dee Williams ous knee injury to lead the league in Chicago Bears running back Gale Sayers runs for yardage in a game against the Los Angeles Rams on Oct. 27, playing Sayers and James Caan in rushing, and becoming the youngest 1969 in Chicago, Ill. Nicknamed “The Kansas Comet” and considered among the best open-field runners the Piccolo’s role, the made-for-TV player inducted into the Pro Foot- game has ever seen, Sayers died Wednesday according to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. movie was later released in the- ball Hall of Fame,” Bears chairman aters. George McCaskey said in a state- short by serious injuries to both of middling-to-bad Bears teams All-America team. He said the re- Sayers stayed by Piccolo’s side ment. “People who weren’t even knees. and, like Dick Butkus, another Hall al-life version of Sayers was even as the illness took its toll, donating football fans came to know Gale “Gale was one of the finest men in of Fame teammate selected in the better. blood and providing support. Just through the TV movie ‘Brian’s Song,’ NFL history and one of the game’s same 1965 draft, he never played in “He was amazing. I still attribute days before Piccolo’s death age 26, about his friendship with teammate most exciting players,” NFL Com- the postseason. Sayers appeared in a lot of my success from trying to Sayers received the George S. Halas Brian Piccolo. Fifty years later, the missioner Roger Goodell said. “Gale only 68 games total and just two in tackle him (in practice),” Butkus Award for courage and said: “You movie’s message that brotherhood was an electrifying and elusive run- each of his final two seasons while said at the Bears’ 100th anniversary flatter me by giving me this award, and love needn’t be defined by skin ner who thrilled fans every time he attempting to return from those celebration in June 2019. but I can tell you here and now that color still resonates.” touched the ball. He earned his place knee injuries. “I never came up against a run- I accept it for Brian Piccolo. ... I love Sayers was a blur to NFL de- as a first-ballot Hall of Famer.” “Will miss a great friend who ning back like him in my whole ca- Brian Piccolo and I’d like all of you fenses, ghosting would-be tacklers Sayers was a two-time All-Amer- helped me become the player I be- reer, as far as a halfback. And that to love him, too. Tonight, when you or zooming by them like few run- ican at Kansas and inducted into came because after practicing and was counting O.J. (Simpson) and a hit your knees, please ask God to love ning backs or kick returners before the College Football Hall of Fame scrimmaging against Gale I knew I couple of other guys,” he added. “No him.” or since. Yet it was his rock-steady as well. He was selected by Chi- could play against anybody,” Butkus one could touch this guy.” After his playing days, Sayers friendship with Piccolo, depicted in cago with the fourth pick overall in said. “We lost one of the best Bears The Bears drafted them with served as athletic director at South- the film “Brian’s Song,” that marked 1965, and his versatility produced ever and more importantly we lost a back-to-back picks in ’65, taking ern Illinois University-Carbondale him as more than a sports star. dividends and highlight-reel sla- great person.” Butkus at No. 3 and Sayers at No. 4. and founded several technology and “He was the very essence of a loms through opposing defenses In 1977, at age 34, Sayers became It didn’t take long for Sayers to win consulting businesses. team player — quiet, unassuming right from the start. the youngest player inducted into over veterans who had helped the Sayers made the 130-mile trip and always ready to compliment a He tied one NFL record with six the Hall of Fame. In presenting him Bears take the NFL championship from his home in Indiana to attend teammate for a key block,” Hall of touchdowns in a game and set an- at the ceremony, Bears founder in 1963. the opening ceremony of the Bears’ Fame President David Baker said. other with 22 touchdowns in his first George Halas said: “If you wish to “We were both No. 1s, so they’re 100th-season celebration in June “Gale was an extraordinary man season: 14 rushing, six receiving, one see perfection as a running back, you going to make it hard on us and show 2019, receiving a rousing ovation. who overcame a great deal of adver- punt return and one kickoff return. had best get a hold of a film of Gale us the ropes and everything else,” “It’s amazing someone that was sity during his NFL career and life.” Sayers was a unanimous choice for Sayers. He was poetry in motion. His Butkus said. “But Gale just ran cir- so beautiful and gifted and talented Sayers became a stockbroker, Offensive Rookie of the Year. like will never be seen again.” cles around everybody. Quickly, they as a player and later in life to have sports administrator, businessman Sayers followed that by being Butkus said he hadn’t even seen adopted him.” that happen to you is really, I know, and philanthropist for several in- voted an All-Pro during the first Sayers play until a highlight film was The friendship between Sayers tough on everybody,” Hall of Fame ner-city Chicago youth initiatives five of his seven NFL seasons (1965- shown at an event in New York that and backfield mate Piccolo began linebacker Mike Singletary said that after his pro football career was cut 71). But he was stuck on a handful both attended honoring the 1964 in 1967, when the two became un- weekend. NFL NOTEBOOK Chargers’ team doctor punctured Taylor’s lung THE ASSOCIATED PRESS week and will miss the rest of The earliest he could return is Los Angeles Chargers quar- the season. Oct. 18 when the Panthers host terback Tyrod Taylor missed last Running backs Raheem Mo- the Bears. Sunday’s game because a team stert and Tevin Coleman also Mike Davis will start in Mc- doctor accidentally punctured his sprained their knees in that Caffrey’s place. lung, according to a person famil- game, with Coleman expected iar with the case. to miss about four weeks and Giants sign RB Freeman The person spoke to The Asso- Mostert hopefully back sooner Two-time Pro Bowl halfback ciated Press on condition of an- than that. Devonta Freeman has signed onymity Wednesday because of The Niners are already with- with the New York Giants and medical restriction issues. out star cornerback Richard might play this weekend. Coach Anthony Lynn said Tay- Sherman (calf), No. 1 receiver The Giants announced the lor is still not 100 percent and that Deebo Samuel (foot) and starting move Wednesday, a day after rookie Justin Herbert will get his center Weston Richburg (knee) 2018 NFL Offensive Rookie of second NFL start on Sunday among others. the Year Saquon Barkley was against the Carolina Panthers. placed on injured reserve with a Herbert was the Chargers’ sur- Panthers place torn anterior cruciate ligament prise starter in last Sunday’s 23- McCaffrey on IR in his right knee. 20 overtime loss to the Kansas BRYAN WOOLSTON, AP Freeman, who was released by City Chiefs. Lynn said he didn’t Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Tyrod Taylor looks to throw during a The Panthers have placed the Atlanta Falcons earlier this find out until less than five min- game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sept.
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