Images: Gale Sayers, through the years
Chicago Bears legend Gale Sayers died early Wednesday morning at 77, the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced. Sayers, a running back known as the "Kansas Comet," was drafted by the Bears in 1965, but played only 68 games because of injuries.
Gale Sayers during his time with the Chicago Bears in 1970.
Associated Press
Chicago Bears running back Gale Sayers carries the ball in this Nov. 10, 1970 photo against the San Francisco 49ers in Chicago.
Associated Press
Former Chicago Bears running back Gayle Sayers holds a jersey during halftime ceremonies in the Bears' game with the Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field in Chicago Oct. 31, 1994. The Bears retired the uniform numbers of Sayers and linebacker Dick Butkus.
Associated Press
Gale Sayers of Chicago Bears takes hand off from quarterback Jack Concannon and runs for yardage against Green Bay Packers August 17,1969 at exhibition game in Milwaukee. Sayers somehow managed to slip between packers Dave Robinson and Rich Moore. Sayers missed much action because of injured knee. Bears whipped packers, 19-9, with a strong second half.
Associated Press
Chicago Bears running back Gale Sayers.
Associated Press
Hall of Famers Richard Dent, left, Dan Hampton, Dick Butkus, and Gale Sayers are honored at halftime of the NFL football game between the Chicago Bears and the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field in Chicago on Monday night.
Daily Herald file photo, 1994
The Packers defense swarms about Chicago Bears Gale Sayers (40) at exhibition game in Milwaukee on August 15, 1970. Green Bay's Dave Robinson (89) and Mike McCoy (76) were credited with the tackle. Doug Hart's (43) tackle attempt slipped off Sayers.
Associated Press
Chicago Bears running back Gale Sayers is carried from the field to an ambulance after he was injured in the second period Nov. 10, 1968 in a game in Chicago with San Francisco. Sayers suffered torn ligaments in his right knee and will undergo surgery. The league's number one usher had carried 11 times for 32 yards, boosting his season total to 856 before being injured after a short run when he was stopped near the sidelines.
Associated Press
Injured knee of Gale Sayers is put on exhibit at a news conference in Chicago, July 10, 1969. Explosive Chicago Bears runner, hurt last season, wants everybody to know injury is healed and he's ready to begin training season.
Associated Press
In this Sept. 1968, file photo, Chicago Bears' halfback Gale Sayers runs with the ball. Relatives of Pro Football Hall of Famer Gale Sayers say the Bears legend has been diagnosed with dementia. His wife, Ardythe Sayers, tells The Kansas City Star that her 73-year-old husband was diagnosed four years ago and she blames Sayers' football career. He played for the Bears from 1965-71 after setting records at the University of Kansas.
Associated Press
This Aug. 18, 1967, file photo shows Gale Sayers (40) of the Chicago Bears grinding out yardage against the Green Bay Packers before being brought down by Bob Jeter (21) at the Midwest Shrine exhibition game in Milwaukee. The Bears and Packers have played 181 times, with Chicago holding a 92-83-6 edge. Between them, they've won 21 NFL titles and sent four dozen players to the Hall of Fame.
Associated Press
Running back Gale Sayers of the Chicago Bears, who underwent surgery for a severe knee injury, does some conditioning on a leg exercise machine, part of his daily routine, in Chicago, Ill., Dec. 11, 1969. One of pro football's most exciting runners, Sayers is making a comeback after a slow start, even though his team is having the worst season in their 50-year history. Sayers injured his knee during a game against the San Francisco 49ers in Nov. 1968.
Associated Press
Chicago Bears teammates help Gale Sayers off the field after he was injured in second quarter of a game with the San Fancisco 49ers in Chicago Nov. 10, 1968. Sayers, National Football League's leading ball carrier, was hospitalized with torn ligaments in his right knee and will be out the remainder of season.
Associated Press
In this July 11, 2014, file photo, former Chicago Bears NFL football player Gale Sayers throws out a ceremonial first pitch before a baseball game between the Chicago Cubs and Atlanta Braves, in Chicago. Relatives of Pro Football Hall of Famer Gale Sayers say the Bears legend has been diagnosed with dementia. His wife, Ardythe Sayers, tells The Kansas City Star that her 73-year-old husband was diagnosed four years ago and she blames Sayers' football career. He played for the Bears from 1965-71 after setting records at the University of Kansas.
Associated Press
Former Chicago Bears greats Gale Sayers, right, and Dick Butkus are seen before an NFL football game between the Chicago Bears and Pittsburgh Steelers in Chicago, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2009.
Associated Press
In this Aug. 2, 2014, file photo, Gale Sayers is introduced during Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremonies in Canton, Ohio. Relatives of Pro Football Hall of Famer Gale Sayers say the Bears legend has been diagnosed with dementia. His wife, Ardythe Sayers, tells The Kansas City Star that her 73-year-old husband was diagnosed four years ago and she blames Sayers' football career. He played for the Bears from 1965-71 after setting records at the University of Kansas.
Associated Press
Former Chicago Bears running back Gale Sayers is recognized before the Arizona Diamondbacks faced the Chicago Cubs in a baseball game at Wrigley Field on Wednesday, April 23, 2014, in Chicago. Exactly 100 years after the Chicago Federals beat the Kansas City Packers in the first game at the famed ballpark, Wrigley was the scene of a joyous birthday bash on Wednesday afternoon. Ernie Banks and other Hall of Famers such as Billy Williams, Fergie Jenkins and Andre Dawson were on hand, and so were Bears greats Dick Butkus and Sayers.
Associated Press
Gale Sayers, right, follows a shot with Sean Erney, center, at the Marklund Golf Classic, a charity tournament held at Indian Lakes Resort in Bloomingdale.
Daily Herald file photo, 1993
Daily Herald file photo, 2007Gale Sayers autograph from 1977.
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