Gale Eugene Sayers is an American former professional football player who earned acclaim both as a halfback and return specialist in the National Football League. In a brief but highly productive NFL career, Sayers spent seven seasons with the Chicago Bears from 1965 to 1971, though multiple injuries effectively limited him to five seasons of play. He was known for his elusiveness and agility, and was regarded by his peers as one of the most difficult players to tackle. Nicknamed the "Kansas Comet", Sayers played college football for the Kansas Jayhawks football team of the University of Kansas, where he compiled 4,020 all-purpose yards over three seasons and was twice recognized as a consensus All-American. In his rookie NFL season, he set a league record by scoring 22 touchdowns—including a record-tying six in one game—and gained 2,272 all-purpose yards en route to being named the NFL's Rookie of the Year.
| Position: | Halfback |
| Date of birth: | May 30, 1943 |
| Place of birth: | Wichita, Kansas |
| High school: | Omaha Central, (Omaha, Nebraska) |
| College: | Kansas |
| NFL Draft: | 1965 / Round: 1/ Pick: 4 |
| AFL draft: | 1965 / Round: 1/ Pick: 5 |
| IMDb: | Gale Sayers's IMDb |
About Gale Sayers
Running back and return specialist known as "The Kansas Comet." He was a 4-time Pro Bowl selection and retired with 4,956 rushing yards and 56 total touchdowns after playing just seven years in the NFL with the Chicago Bears.
Before Fame
He set a state long jump record by jumping 24' 11.75' as a senior at Omaha Central High School in Nebraska. He played college football at the University of Kansas.
Achievement
He was inducted into both the College Football Hall of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1977.
Family Life
He married his high school sweetheart, Linda Lou McNeil, in June 1962. They divorced in 1973 and that same year, he married Ardythe Bullard.
Associations
Both he and Barry Sanders retired from the NFL while they were still elite running backs.
Information related to Gale Sayers
- Tennessee State Tigers and Lady Tigers athletic directors
- Southern Illinois Salukis athletic directors
- People with dementia
- University of Kansas staff
- National Football League players with retired numbers
- American stockbrokers
- Sportspeople from Wichita, Kansas
- Sportspeople from Omaha, Nebraska
- Players of American football from Nebraska
- Kansas Jayhawks football players
- Players of American football from Kansas
- Western Conference Pro Bowl players
- Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees
- American football return specialists
