Gale Sayers, , Chicago Bears Hall of Fame Running Back, , Dead at Age 77.
Sayers had reportedly been living with dementia for several years.
Hall of Fame president and CEO David Baker confirmed his death via a statement.
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, Hall of Fame president and CEO David Baker, via statement.
He was the very essence of a team player -- quiet, unassuming and always ready to compliment a teammate for a key block. , Hall of Fame president and CEO David Baker, via statement.
Gale was an extraordinary man who overcame a great deal of adversity during his NFL career and life, Hall of Fame president and CEO David Baker, via statement.
Known as "The Kansas Comet," the former running back was a first-round pick by the Chicago Bears in 1965. .
A major knee injury in 1970 forced the five-time All-Pro to retire in 1971.
According to Fox News, Sayers ended his career
with 39 touchdowns and 4,956 rushing yards.
He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall
of Fame in 1977 at the age of 34.
If you want to see perfection as a running back, you best get ahold of a film of Gale Sayers. He was poetry in motion. His like will never be seen again, Legendary Bears coach George Halas, at Sayers'
Hall of Fame Induction, via ESPN.
Sayers' friendship with terminally-ill teammate Brian Piccolo also inspired the movie, 'Brian's Song.'