Gale Sayers dead at 77 – Chicago Bears legend and Pro Football Hall of Famer passes away after dementia battle
CHICAGO Bears legend and Pro Football Hall of Famer Gale Sayers has died aged 77 after battling dementia.
The iconic player passed away on Wednesday, but the cause of death has not yet been announced.
His wife Ardythe Sayers told The Kansas City Star in 2017 that her husband had been diagnosed with dementia.
She blamed Sayers’ football career for the diagnosis.
Ardie Sayers said at their home in Wakarusa, Indiana: “Like the doctor at the Mayo Clinic said, ‘Yes, a part of this has to be on football’.
“It wasn’t so much getting hit in the head. It’s just the shaking of the brain when they took him down with the force they play the game in.”
Pro Football Hall of Fame president David Baker confirmed Sayers’ death in a statement.
It read: “All those who love the game of football mourn the loss of one of the greatest to ever play this game with the passing of Chicago Bears legend Gale Sayers.
“He was the very essence of a team player — quiet, unassuming and always ready to compliment a team-mate for a key block.
“Gale was an extraordinary man who overcame a great deal of adversity during his NFL career and life.”
Sayers played in seven seasons of the NFL and was placed into the Hall of Fame following his time.
He was regarded as one of the greatest players in NFL history.
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The “Kansas Comet” played his entire career with the Bears, piling up 4,956 yards rushing in his 68-game career and was voted to four Pro Bowls.
Sayers scored 22 touchdowns and 132 points in his first season, both then-rookie records.
He was named to the 1960s All-Decade Team, the 50th anniversary All-Time team, the 75th anniversary All-Time Team and the NFL 100th anniversary All-Time Team.
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