Gale Sayers Biography
Gale Sayers was an American professional football player who was both a halfback and return specialist in the National Football League (NFL). Sayers spent seven seasons with the Chicago Bears from 1965 to 1971 in a fairly short but highly productive NFL career, though numerous injuries actually limited him to five seasons of play. He was known for his elusiveness and agility and was considered by his peers as one of the most challenging players to attack.
10 Quick Facts About Gale Sayers
- Name: Gale Eugene Sayers
- Age: 77 Years (2020)
- Date of Death: September 23, 2020
- Cause of Death: Dementia
- Date of Birth: 30 May 1943
- Nationality: American
- Occupation: Former professional football player
- Marital Status: Was married to Linda McNeil
- Salary: To be updated
- Net worth: $50 million
Gale Sayers Age
Sayers was 77 years old as of 2020, he was born on 30 May 1943, in Wichita, Kansas, United States. He celebrated his birthday on 30 May and his birth sign is Gemini. He died on 23 September 2020, in Wakarusa, Indiana, United States.
Gale Sayers Height
Sayers stood at a height of 6 feet (1.83 m) tall.
Gale Sayers Weight
Sayers weighed 90 kg (198 lbs).
Gale Sayers Education
Gale graduated from Omaha Central High School, where he starred in football and track and field. A fine all-around track athlete, he set a state-long jump record of 24 ft 101⁄2 in (7.58m) as a senior in 1961. Sayers was recruited by several major Midwestern colleges before deciding to play football at the University of Kansas.
While being interviewed during a broadcast of a Chicago Cubs game on September 8, 2010, Sayers said he had originally intended to go to the University of Iowa. Sayers said that he decided against going to Iowa after the Iowa head coach, Jerry Burns, did not have time to meet Sayers during his one campus visit.
Gale Sayers Family
Sayers was born to his father,Roger Earl Sayers and his mother, Bernice Ross in Wichita, Kansas, and brought up in Omaha, Nebraska. His father was a mechanic for Goodyear, farmed, and worked for auto dealerships. He spent his childhood alongside his two brothers Ron and Roger Sayers.Sayers’ younger brother, Ron, later played running back for the San Diego Chargers of the American Football League. Roger, his older brother, was a decorated college track and field athlete.
Gale Sayer’s Wife
Sayers was married to his second wife Ardythe Bullard in 1973 until his death in September 2020. He was formerly married to his first wife, Linda McNeil in 1962 and divorced later in 1973. From both his marriages, Sayers had a total of six children: one daughter and five sons.
Gale Sayers Net Worth
Sayers had an estimated net worth of $50 million dollars as of 2022. This included his assets, money, and income. His primary source of income was his career as a Football player. Through his various sources of income, Gale had accumulated good fortune but prefers to lead a modest lifestyle.
Gale Sayers Measurements and Facts
Here are some interesting facts and body measurements you should know about Sayers.
Gale Sayers Wiki
- Full Names: Gale Sayers
- Popular As: Gale Sayers
- Gender: Male
- Occupation / Profession: Football player
- Nationality: American
- Race / Ethnicity: African American
- Religion: Not Known
- Sexual Orientation: Straight
Gale Sayers Birthday
- Age At the time of death: 77 Years (2020)
- Death: 23 September 2020
- Zodiac Sign: Gemini
- Date of Birth: 30 May 1943
- Place of Birth: Wichita, KS in the United States
- Birthday: 30 May
Gale Sayers Body Measurements
- Body Measurements: To be updated
- Height / How Tall?: 6 feet (1.83m)
- Weight: 198 lbs
- Eye Color: To be updated
- Hair Color: Black
- Shoe Size: To be updated
Gale Sayers Family and Relationship
- Father (Dad): Roger Sayers
- Mother: Bernice Sayers
- Siblings (Brothers and Sisters): Ron and Roger Sayers
- Marital Status: Married
- Wife/Spouse: Married to Ardythe Bullard
- Children: Six children
Gale Sayers Networth and Salary
- Net Worth: $50 million
- Salary: To be updated
- Source of Income: Football Player
Gale Sayers House and Cars
- Place of living: United States
- Cars: Car Brand to be Updated
Gale Sayers Cause of Death
His stepson Guy Bullard stated the cause was complications of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.In March 2017, his family disclosed that Sayers had dementia after he had publicly shown symptoms of it for four years. He joined a growing list of football players who developed dementia and died of brain damage.
But his career was cut short by knee injuries, “Sayers is the greatest halfback I ever saw,” Ernie Accorsi, who was general manager of three National Football League teams, wrote in an email in 2017.
Gale Sayers Awards
Sayers was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1977 at age 34 and remains the youngest person to have received the honor. He is one of four players in the Super Bowl era to be enshrined in the Hall of Fame without ever playing a postseason game.
Gale was named to the NFL’s 75th Anniversary Team as a halfback and kick returner, the only player to occupy two positions on the team. In 2019, he was named to the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team. For his achievements in college, Sayers was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame the same year.
Gale’s jersey number is retired by both the Bears and the University of Kansas. Following his NFL career, Sayers began a career in sports administration and business and served as the athletic director of Southern Illinois University from 1976 to 1981.
Gale Sayers American Football Player
Sayers was an American professional football player who was both a halfback and return specialist in the National Football League (NFL). In a relatively short but highly productive NFL career, Sayers spent seven seasons with the Chicago Bears from 1965 to 1971, though multiple injuries effectively limited him to five seasons of play.
Gale Sayers and Brian Piccolo
In 1967, Sayers and Bears teammate Brian Piccolo was an American professional football player, a running back for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League for four years. He died at age 26 from embryonal cell carcinoma, an aggressive form of germ cell testicular cancer, first diagnosed after it had spread to his chest cavity and became the first interracial roommate in the NFL.
His ensuing friendship with Piccolo and Piccolo’s struggle with cancer embryonal cell carcinoma, which was diagnosed after it metastasized to a large tumor in his chest cavity, became the subject of the made-for-TV movie Brian’s Song. They are the movie, in which Sayers was portrayed by Billy Dee Williams in 1971 original and by Mekhi Phifer in the 2001 remake, which was adapted from Sayers’ account of this story in his 1970 autobiography.
As he was a notable aspect of Sayers’ friendship with Piccolo, a white man, and the first film’s depiction of their friendship was its effect on race relations. The first film was made in the wake of racial riots, escalating racial tensions fueled by Martin Luther King’s assassination, and charges of discrimination across the nation.
Gale and Piccolo were devoted friends and deeply respectful of and affectionate. Piccolo helped Sayers through rehabilitation after injury, and Sayers was by Piccolo’s side throughout his illness until his death in June 1970.
Gale Sayers Numbers
His number 48 jersey is one of three retired by the Kansas Jayhawks football team. Later in 1977, Sayers was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame and is still the youngest inductee in its history.
Gale Sayers Jersey
Frequently Asked Questions About Gale Sayers
Gale Sayers was an American professional football player who was both a halfback and return specialist in the National Football League (NFL).
Sayers was 77 years old as of 2020, he was born on 30 May 1943, in Wichita, Kansas, United States.
Sayers stood at a height of 6 feet (1.83 m).
Yes,he had married his second wife Ardythe Bullard in 1973 until his death in September 2020. From both his marriages, Sayers had a total of six children: one daughter and five sons.
By the time of his death, he had a net worth of $50 Million. This included his Assets, Money, and Income. His primary source of income was his career as a former professional football player.
Sayers died on 23rd September 2020 after suffering from dementia for several years.
Gale Sayers Contacts
- Website
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