Bears' George McCaskey Says Sayers 'Captured The City's Heart'

CHICAGO, IL — As fans and colleagues across the NFL reflect on the record-breaking career of Chicago Bears' Hall of Fame running back Gale Sayers days after his Sept. 23 death, someone who's had a front-row seat since the beginning remembers Sayers as a joy to watch on the field, who "captured the city's heart off the field."

During a Thursday phone call with Patch's Rebecca Hughes, Chicago Bears chairman George McCaskey laughed while recalling the "mistake" the Minnesota Vikings made 55 years ago this month, when the ball landed in Sayers' hands during a fourth-quarter kickoff. Sayers' 96-yard kickoff return contributed to the Bears' 45-37 victory over the Vikings on Oct. 17, 1965. By the end of his career, Sayers rushed for 4,956 yards and scored 56 touchdowns.

When an athlete has the talent and accolades Sayers possessed, it's hard to dwell on his injury-shortened NFL career. Sayers is, after all, the youngest player to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and has been more than once named one of top 5 NFL running backs of all time, along with late Bears' Hall of Fame running back Walter Peyton, aka "Sweetness."

"I think about how fortunate we and all Bears fans were to have seen two of the greatest runners in the history of the game; Gale and Walter," McCaskey told Patch. "Almost back to back. Different styles, but both of them dominated on the field."

McCaskey also spoke fondly of Sayers's wife, Ardythe, who he said has been right there for her husband every step of the way.

Ardythe was also on the other end of a phone call to McCaskey last week.

"She called me that morning at home, to let me know," McCaskey said. "Which, you know, considering everything that must have been on her mind, how wonderfully kind it was to let us know. She's been wonderful."

After the NFL, Sayers went on to be the athletic director for Southern Illinois University from 1976-1981. In 1984, Sayers founded Crest Computer Supply Co. in Chicago, which was later renamed Sayers 40, Inc.

In 2012, Ardythe reported that her husband had been diagnosed with dementia.

The Chicago Bears released a statement on Sept. 23 after hearing of Sayers' death, describing him as someone who "amplified what it meant to be a Chicago Bear both on and off the field."

Sayers famous friendship with Bears teammate Brian Piccolo, who died when he was 26 years old from cancer, was depicted in the Emmy-winning made-for-TV movie, "Brian's Song."

It's a friendship and film McCaskey said still has a profound impact on people 50 years later, during a time when many are looking for something to unify us.

According to McCaskey, Sayers and Piccolo's story provides that sense of unity, even for those who don't care about the sport itself.

As the team and the rest of the NFL continue honoring Sayers' memory, they'll head into the fourth weekend of the NFL season.

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The 3-0 Bears will host the Indianapolis Colts Sunday at Solider Field.

While there will be no fans in the stands due to the coronavirus pandemic, that doesn't mean games are any less nerve-wracking, especially after the last three games — described by McCaskey as nail-biters.

But despite the changes and unique challenges teams face this season, McCaskey remains positive, as does his mother and team owner, Virginia, who he said is doing well under the current circumstances.

"We're very happy and grateful we're in the position we're in, and hoping it keeps up," McCaskey said.