Bears Hall Of Fame Running Back Gale Sayers Dead At 77

CHICAGO — The Chicago Bears' legendary running back Gale Sayers, the youngest player to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, died Wednesday, according to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He was 77.

Known as the "Kansas Comet," Sayers was an elusive runner who rushed for 4,956 yards and scored 56 touchdowns during his injury-shortened career that included four Pro Bowl appearances. Sayers once told NFL Films, "Give me 18 inches of daylight. That's all I need."

"I had a style all my own. The way I ran, lurchy, herky-jerky, I kept people off-guard so if I didn’t have that much power when I hit a man, hell, he was off-balance and I could knock him down," Sayers said, according to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Clyde Emrich, a former Olympic weightlifter and Bears' strength coach got to know Sayers while helping the running back rehab a left knee injury. Emrich told Patch they would work out at the YMCA and use equipment that they didn't yet have access to at the Bears' facility, before heading down to Solider Field.

"He was terrific," Emrich said. "I was just amazed at his athleticism. His footwork was so quick. ... He was outstanding, just a good man. He was also a good businessman."

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, Sayers's wife, Ardythe, reported that he had been diagnosed with dementia. Sayers later sued the NFL, alleging the league didn't do enough to protect him from head injuries that caused headaches and memory loss after his retirement.

Sayers also was known by many for his famous friendship with Bears teammate Brian Piccolo, who died young from cancer. Their friendship was depicted in the movie "Brian's Song."

Patch Staff Writer Rebecca Hughes contributed to this piece.