[Papa John]

Gale Sayers, born in Wichita, KS, passed away earlier today at the age of 77. I was too young to follow Sayers during his time as running back and kick returner at the University of Kansas or with the Chicago Bears--he retired due to injuries in 1971. But I heard plenty of stories about him from my fellow Kansans, and by the time I started following sports around 1973 he was already spoken of as a legend. There are probably folks on this board who had the privilege of seeing him play in person. By all accounts a great person--and this coming from a K-State fan. Oh, and I'm pretty sure I cried when I finally saw Brian's Song.

[Papa John]

Gale Sayers, born in Wichita, KS, passed away earlier today at the age of 77. I was too young to follow Sayers during his time as running back and kick returner at the University of Kansas or with the Chicago Bears--he retired due to injuries in 1971. But I heard plenty of stories about him from my fellow Kansans, and by the time I started following sports around 1973 he was already spoken of as a legend. There are probably folks on this board who had the privilege of seeing him play in person. By all accounts a great person--and this coming from a K-State fan. Oh, and I'm pretty sure I cried when I finally saw Brian's Song.

[Brickcity]

Gale Sayers, born in Wichita, KS, passed away earlier today at the age of 77. I was too young to follow Sayers during his time as running back and kick returner at the University of Kansas or with the Chicago Bears--he retired due to injuries in 1971. But I heard plenty of stories about him from my fellow Kansans, and by the time I started following sports around 1973 he was already spoken of as a legend. There are probably folks on this board who had the privilege of seeing him play in person. By all accounts a great person--and this coming from a K-State fan. Oh, and I'm pretty sure I cried when I finally saw Brian's Song.

I saw Brian's song as a kid in the late 70s and am sure I shed a tear. Hell, I might now! Watching his highlights I'm reminded that he was truly one of the most electric running backs in history, right up there with Walter Payton, Barry Sanders and...I don't know who else.

[Brickcity]

Gale Sayers, born in Wichita, KS, passed away earlier today at the age of 77. I was too young to follow Sayers during his time as running back and kick returner at the University of Kansas or with the Chicago Bears--he retired due to injuries in 1971. But I heard plenty of stories about him from my fellow Kansans, and by the time I started following sports around 1973 he was already spoken of as a legend. There are probably folks on this board who had the privilege of seeing him play in person. By all accounts a great person--and this coming from a K-State fan. Oh, and I'm pretty sure I cried when I finally saw Brian's Song.

I saw Brian's song as a kid in the late 70s and am sure I shed a tear. Hell, I might now! Watching his highlights I'm reminded that he was truly one of the most electric running backs in history, right up there with Walter Payton, Barry Sanders and...I don't know who else.

[Papa John]

Thanks, BrickCity. The way it was told to me was that Gale Sayers didn't score every time he touched the ball, but every time he touched the ball you thought he would score up until he got tackled.

[Papa John]

Thanks, BrickCity. The way it was told to me was that Gale Sayers didn't score every time he touched the ball, but every time he touched the ball you thought he would score up until he got tackled.

[Spiny_Norman]

Thanks, BrickCity. The way it was told to me was that Gale Sayers didn't score every time he touched the ball, but every time he touched the ball you thought he would score up until he got tackled.

Sounds like another Wichita running back, Barry Sanders.

[Spiny_Norman]

Thanks, BrickCity. The way it was told to me was that Gale Sayers didn't score every time he touched the ball, but every time he touched the ball you thought he would score up until he got tackled.

Sounds like another Wichita running back, Barry Sanders.

[Phogge]

Sat in front of the tube the day he ran around, thru and over the Niners. Superman in a black jersey.

[Phogge]

Sat in front of the tube the day he ran around, thru and over the Niners. Superman in a black jersey.

[lex24]

Sat in front of the tube the day he ran around, thru and over the Niners. Superman in a black jersey.

One of the most graceful runners.  And exciting.  Never was quite the same after he tore his knee when tackled by Kermit Alexander. I read his biography when I was a yute. I believe it was called: “I am Third”. Behind God and family. Not certain, but I think Brian’s Song was based on that book

[lex24]

Sat in front of the tube the day he ran around, thru and over the Niners. Superman in a black jersey.

One of the most graceful runners.  And exciting.  Never was quite the same after he tore his knee when tackled by Kermit Alexander. I read his biography when I was a yute. I believe it was called: “I am Third”. Behind God and family. Not certain, but I think Brian’s Song was based on that book

[CowboyIndian]

A few years after he left Kansas, the Jayhawks came to Stanford Stadium and lost to the Indians 21-20 in one of the first games I witnessed as a freshman. Their coach was Pepper Rodgers, a real unusual personality in a profession that didn't take kindly to "oddballs". He died recently with not enough fanfare, IMO.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/20...him-great/

[CowboyIndian]

A few years after he left Kansas, the Jayhawks came to Stanford Stadium and lost to the Indians 21-20 in one of the first games I witnessed as a freshman. Their coach was Pepper Rodgers, a real unusual personality in a profession that didn't take kindly to "oddballs". He died recently with not enough fanfare, IMO.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/20...him-great/

[lex24]

A few years after he left Kansas, the Jayhawks came to Stanford Stadium and lost to the Indians 21-20 in one of the first games I witnessed as a freshman. Their coach was Pepper Rodgers, a real unusual personality in a profession that didn't take kindly to "oddballs". He died recently with not enough fanfare, IMO.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/20...him-great/

Didn’t Rogers run the wishbone? Remember him from his years at UCLA.  I think Mark Harmon was his QB. One of my HS alma maters greatest athletes, Brad Lyman, was a WR. His son Chase was a WR at Cal. Brad was a sprinter. Could fly. But both he and Chase were derailed by knee injuries.

[lex24]

A few years after he left Kansas, the Jayhawks came to Stanford Stadium and lost to the Indians 21-20 in one of the first games I witnessed as a freshman. Their coach was Pepper Rodgers, a real unusual personality in a profession that didn't take kindly to "oddballs". He died recently with not enough fanfare, IMO.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/20...him-great/

Didn’t Rogers run the wishbone? Remember him from his years at UCLA.  I think Mark Harmon was his QB. One of my HS alma maters greatest athletes, Brad Lyman, was a WR. His son Chase was a WR at Cal. Brad was a sprinter. Could fly. But both he and Chase were derailed by knee injuries.

[82lsju]

I read his biography when I was a yute.  I believe it was called: “I am Third”. Behind God and family.  Not certain, but I think Brian’s Song was based on that book

it was

[82lsju]

I read his biography when I was a yute.  I believe it was called: “I am Third”. Behind God and family.  Not certain, but I think Brian’s Song was based on that book

it was

[lex24]

A few years after he left Kansas, the Jayhawks came to Stanford Stadium and lost to the Indians 21-20 in one of the first games I witnessed as a freshman. Their coach was Pepper Rodgers, a real unusual personality in a profession that didn't take kindly to "oddballs". He died recently with not enough fanfare, IMO.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/20...him-great/

Didn’t Rogers run the wishbone? Remember him from his years at UCLA.  I think Mark Harmon was his QB.

[lex24]

A few years after he left Kansas, the Jayhawks came to Stanford Stadium and lost to the Indians 21-20 in one of the first games I witnessed as a freshman. Their coach was Pepper Rodgers, a real unusual personality in a profession that didn't take kindly to "oddballs". He died recently with not enough fanfare, IMO.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/20...him-great/

Didn’t Rogers run the wishbone? Remember him from his years at UCLA.  I think Mark Harmon was his QB.

[Red80]

A few years after he left Kansas, the Jayhawks came to Stanford Stadium and lost to the Indians 21-20 in one of the first games I witnessed as a freshman. Their coach was Pepper Rodgers, a real unusual personality in a profession that didn't take kindly to "oddballs". He died recently with not enough fanfare, IMO.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/20...him-great/

UCLA played at Stanford in '73 in what was anticipated to be a competitive game. Led by Mark Harmon, Kermit Johnson and James McCalister, Rodgers and his wishbone offense rushed for 621 yards in a 59-13 victory. 

Didn’t Rogers run the wishbone? Remember him from his years at UCLA.  I think Mark Harmon was his QB.

[Red80]

A few years after he left Kansas, the Jayhawks came to Stanford Stadium and lost to the Indians 21-20 in one of the first games I witnessed as a freshman. Their coach was Pepper Rodgers, a real unusual personality in a profession that didn't take kindly to "oddballs". He died recently with not enough fanfare, IMO.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/20...him-great/

UCLA played at Stanford in '73 in what was anticipated to be a competitive game. Led by Mark Harmon, Kermit Johnson and James McCalister, Rodgers and his wishbone offense rushed for 621 yards in a 59-13 victory. 

Didn’t Rogers run the wishbone? Remember him from his years at UCLA.  I think Mark Harmon was his QB.

[Griffins78]

Sat in front of the tube the day he ran around, thru and over the Niners. Superman in a black jersey.

One of the most graceful runners.  And exciting.  Never was quite the same after he tore his knee when tackled by Kermit Alexander. I read his biography when I was a yute.  I believe it was called: “I am Third”. Behind God and family.  Not certain, but I think Brian’s Song was based on that book

He was my favorite running back of all time. "Graceful" is a good description that isn't associated with many running backs. He moved so smoothly, shifting direction mid-stride. George Halas said, "He was poetry in motion. His like will never be seen again." And I agree. When I was a kid playing football, I tried to run like he did.

I loved Brian's Song. Tear jerker, especially because it was a true story. And yes, it was based on Sayers' book, "I am Third." A black man and a white man that loved and respected each other.

[Griffins78]

Sat in front of the tube the day he ran around, thru and over the Niners. Superman in a black jersey.

One of the most graceful runners.  And exciting.  Never was quite the same after he tore his knee when tackled by Kermit Alexander. I read his biography when I was a yute.  I believe it was called: “I am Third”. Behind God and family.  Not certain, but I think Brian’s Song was based on that book

He was my favorite running back of all time. "Graceful" is a good description that isn't associated with many running backs. He moved so smoothly, shifting direction mid-stride. George Halas said, "He was poetry in motion. His like will never be seen again." And I agree. When I was a kid playing football, I tried to run like he did.

I loved Brian's Song. Tear jerker, especially because it was a true story. And yes, it was based on Sayers' book, "I am Third." A black man and a white man that loved and respected each other.

[82lsju]

Gale Sayers highlight video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcll_wwp...b_err_woyt

[82lsju]

Gale Sayers highlight video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcll_wwp...b_err_woyt

[Nan3cy]

He was a great running back and a good guy. About 20 years ago, he and his wife founded the Gayle and Ardythe Sayers center at The Cradle, an adoption agency in Evanston, IL. (Full disclosure: the agency was founded by my grandmother in 1923.) The Sayers center is set up to encourage African-American adoptions. He had adopted a child from the agency in (I think) the 60s.

[Nan3cy]

He was a great running back and a good guy. About 20 years ago, he and his wife founded the Gayle and Ardythe Sayers center at The Cradle, an adoption agency in Evanston, IL. (Full disclosure: the agency was founded by my grandmother in 1923.) The Sayers center is set up to encourage African-American adoptions. He had adopted a child from the agency in (I think) the 60s.

[PVTree]

As a young boy growing up in Chicago, I was a hu-ge fan of Walter Payton (still am). My dad told me that, as great as Payton is, Sayers was even better, more elusive. Sayers was his favorite player. 

I wished I had been able to see Sayers, Butkus, and Ditka play for DA Bears.

[PVTree]

As a young boy growing up in Chicago, I was a hu-ge fan of Walter Payton (still am). My dad told me that, as great as Payton is, Sayers was even better, more elusive. Sayers was his favorite player. 

I wished I had been able to see Sayers, Butkus, and Ditka play for DA Bears.

[Mick]

Bob Berry was U of Oregon's All-American quarterback, and played on the West team in the 1/2/1965 East-West Shrine game.  This was back in the days when there was comparatively little media and almost no knowledge of the players.  Bob was my dad's quarterback at Willow Glen HS in San Jose, and some former members of the WGHS team were sitting in my grandparents' kitchen after the first East-West shrine game practice.  The conversation centered around the best players, and Bob said, "Well, they're all really good.  But there's this running back from Kansas named Gale Sayers who is just unbelievable."

That all-star game had Dick Ragsdale, Jack Chapple and Bob Nichols from Stanford and Craig Morton and Jack Schraub from Cal.  East had Staubach and Butkus among others.  Game was played at Kezar.  West won, 11-7.

https://www.shrinegame.com/Uploads/Publi...2_1965.pdf

[Mick]

Bob Berry was U of Oregon's All-American quarterback, and played on the West team in the 1/2/1965 East-West Shrine game.  This was back in the days when there was comparatively little media and almost no knowledge of the players.  Bob was my dad's quarterback at Willow Glen HS in San Jose, and some former members of the WGHS team were sitting in my grandparents' kitchen after the first East-West shrine game practice.  The conversation centered around the best players, and Bob said, "Well, they're all really good.  But there's this running back from Kansas named Gale Sayers who is just unbelievable."

That all-star game had Dick Ragsdale, Jack Chapple and Bob Nichols from Stanford and Craig Morton and Jack Schraub from Cal.  East had Staubach and Butkus among others.  Game was played at Kezar.  West won, 11-7.

https://www.shrinegame.com/Uploads/Publi...2_1965.pdf

[BobK]

I used to go to the East West game every year late 50s at Kezar then Stanford

Knew all the players. Big stories in the chronicle for a week. Lots of PR abd big crowds.
Certainly remember Berry from HA abd of course college

[BobK]

I used to go to the East West game every year late 50s at Kezar then Stanford

Knew all the players. Big stories in the chronicle for a week. Lots of PR abd big crowds.
Certainly remember Berry from HA abd of course college

[PalmTree]

Wow - I just watched Brian's Song a few nights ago.  What a story - and I LOVED watching Sayers - such a treat when his video highlights first started appearing on Youtube, just so smooth on the field.

[PalmTree]

Wow - I just watched Brian's Song a few nights ago.  What a story - and I LOVED watching Sayers - such a treat when his video highlights first started appearing on Youtube, just so smooth on the field.

[lex24]

He was a great running back and a good guy. About 20 years ago, he and his wife founded the Gayle and Ardythe Sayers center at The Cradle, an adoption agency in Evanston, IL. (Full disclosure: the agency was founded by my grandmother in 1923.) The Sayers center is set up to encourage African-American adoptions. He had adopted a child from the agency in (I think) the 60s.

What a wonderful thing your Grandmother did.  Fantastic!

---

Gale Sayers highlight video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcll_wwp...b_err_woyt

Video blocked by the No Fun League.  Concerned they won’t squeeze out every dollar....

[lex24]

He was a great running back and a good guy. About 20 years ago, he and his wife founded the Gayle and Ardythe Sayers center at The Cradle, an adoption agency in Evanston, IL. (Full disclosure: the agency was founded by my grandmother in 1923.) The Sayers center is set up to encourage African-American adoptions. He had adopted a child from the agency in (I think) the 60s.

What a wonderful thing your Grandmother did.  Fantastic!

---

Gale Sayers highlight video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcll_wwp...b_err_woyt

Video blocked by the No Fun League.  Concerned they won’t squeeze out every dollar....

[BostonCard]

Video blocked by the No Fun League.  Concerned they won’t squeeze out every dollar....

You can watch it at Youtube; it just doesn't allow embedding because, the NFL.

BC

[BostonCard]

Video blocked by the No Fun League.  Concerned they won’t squeeze out every dollar....

You can watch it at Youtube; it just doesn't allow embedding because, the NFL.

BC