Sayers was drafted by the Bears out of Kansas University in 1965.
Sayers was drafted by the Bears out of Kansas University in 1965.
Sayers burst upon the pro football scene in 1965 with the kind of an impact that the sport had not felt in many years.
In his first heavy preseason action, Gale raced 77 yards on a punt return, 93 yards on a kickoff return, and then startled everyone with a 25-yard scoring pass against the Los Angeles Rams.
In regular season, Sayers scored four touchdowns, including a 96-yard game breaking kickoff return, against the Minnesota Vikings.
Gale scored 22 touchdowns and 132 points his first season. Both marks were then-rookie records.
Gale scored a record-tying six touchdowns against the San Francisco 49ers.
Sayers suffered a knee injury that required immediate surgery. After a tortuous rehabilitation program, Gale came back in 1969 in a most spectacular manner, winding up with his second 1,000-yard rushing season and universal Comeback of the Year honors.
In Sayers' relatively short career, he compiled a record that can never be forgotten. His totals show 9,435 combined net yards, 4,956 yards rushing, and 336 points scored.
At the time of his retirement Sayers was the NFL's all-time leader in kickoff returns. He won All-NFL honors five straight years and was named Offensive Player of the Game in three of the four Pro Bowls in which he played.
Sayers at his Enshrinement in 1977.
Sayers' Hall of Fame mural.
Sayers' Hall of Fame bust.