Date of Birth: May 30, 1943
Zodiac Sign: Gemini
Date of Death: September 23, 2020
Biography
Gale Eugene Sayers, also known as “The Kansas Comet,” was an American professional football player who played as a halfback and return specialist in the National Football League (NFL). Born in Wichita, Kansas, Sayers grew up in Omaha, Nebraska, where he was a standout athlete in high school, excelling in both football and track. He attended the University of Kansas, where he continued to shine as a football player, earning All-American honors. Sayers was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the first round of the 1965 NFL Draft. He made an immediate impact, setting an NFL record for the most touchdowns scored by a rookie, with 22 touchdowns in his debut season. Known for his incredible speed and agility, Sayers was a four-time Pro Bowl selection and was named an All-Pro five times during his career. Despite having his career cut short by knee injuries, he still managed to leave a lasting legacy in the sport. After retiring from professional football, Sayers worked in various business and philanthropic endeavors, including serving as the athletic director at Southern Illinois University. In 1977, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, becoming the youngest inductee at the age of 34. Gale Sayers passed away on September 23, 2020, leaving behind a legacy as one of the greatest running backs in NFL history.
5 Interesting Facts about Gale Sayers
1. Gale Sayers scored six touchdowns in a single game against the San Francisco 49ers on December 12, 1965.
2. He was the first player in NFL history to return two kickoffs for touchdowns in a single game.
3. Sayers’ jersey number, 40, was retired by the Chicago Bears.
4. He co-authored a best-selling autobiography titled “I Am Third.”
5. Gale Sayers’ friendship with teammate Brian Piccolo was immortalized in the TV movie “Brian’s Song.”
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Gale Sayers
1. “Give me 18 inches of daylight. That’s all I need.”
2. “I learned that if you want to make it bad enough, no matter how bad it is, you can make it.”
3. “There comes a time when you have to stand up and be counted.”
4. “I love to play football. I’m going to keep playing until I can’t walk anymore.”
5. “The Lord is first, my friends are second, and I am third.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At the peak of his career and various business ventures, Gale Sayers’ net worth was estimated to be around $50 million.
Children
Gale Sayers had three children: Gale Sayers Jr., Timothy Sayers, and Scott Sayers.
Relevant Links
2. [Gale Sayers Biography on Britannica](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Gale-Sayers
3. [Gale Sayers’ Career Statistics on NFL.com](https://www.nfl.com/players/gale-sayers/stats/
4. [Gale Sayers on ESPN](https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/10406/gale-sayers
