NFL Legend Gale Sayers, Who Inspired The Film Brian’s Song, Dies At 77

NFL Hall of Famer Gale Sayers, who was one of the best running backs ever to suit up for the Chicago Bears, has died at the age of 77.

NFL Legend, Gale Sayers, Passes Away

The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced Sayers’ passing in the Instagram post below. A rookie in 1965, Sayers set the sport on fire, recording a single-game record six touchdowns in a memorable game against the San Francisco 49ers and finishing the year with an incredible 22 touchdowns.

Known as the “Kansas Comet,” Sayers was an All-Pro in each of his five full seasons. Although his career would be hamstrung by knee injuries, and he only played 68 regular-season games in total, he is considered one of the top running backs to ever play the game and was an easy selection to the NHL Hall of Fame.

“If you wish to see perfection as a running back, you had best get a hold of a film of Gale Sayers,” George Halas, Bears founder, said in 1977 when he presented Sayers for enshrinement. “He was poetry in motion. His like will never be seen again.”

Movie fans who may not follow football probably know Sayers as his relationship with former teammate Brian Piccolo, who tragically died of cancer at 26, was the subject of the 1971 television movie, Brian’s Song, starring Billy Dee Williams (as Sayers) and James Caan. The movie was based on Sayers’ autobiography, I Am Third.

In 1992, he appeared on Guiding Light playing a wedding guest during the marriage of Hampton Speakes (Vince Williams), who was a former pro football player on the show, and Gilly Grant (Amelia Marshall).

Over the past few years, the legendary Sayers suffered from dementia but still made occasional appearances at NFL events, such as the Hall of Fame induction ceremony as recently as 2017. He will forever be in the hearts of Bears fans and football fans everywhere. Entertainment Hub sends condolences to his family, friends, and fans.