2008 Woodie Awards
Conversing with a comet
Pilcher's Mound
Erich Pilcher
Issue date: 1/26/06 Section: Sports
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A comet hit Cedar Rapids on Dec. 19 when football Hall of Famer and Chicago Bears legend Gale Sayers visited with fans at the Chrome Horse Saloon.
Sayers is in the Hall of Fame despite only playing 68 games throughout his six seasons. Sayers, known in football lore as the "Kansas Comet," was a two-time football all-American at Kansas University and took his explosive and elusive running style to the NFL in 1965, where he scored six touchdowns in one game and 22 touchdowns throughout the season for the Chicago Bears.
Despite several teams revamping their defenses just to try and contain him, Sayers still led the league in rushing with 1,231 yards in his second season. Sayers tore ligaments in his knee after a hit in a game against the 49ers in 1968. However, he rebounded to once again lead the league in rushing. In 1970 Sayers suffered another knee injury, this time on the opposite leg, forcing him to retire.
Even though his career was cut short, Sayers was still inducted into the Football Hall of Fame in 1977. In 1994 the Bears retired his legendary jersey number 40. After his career, the film Brian's Song was made; based on his friendship with the late Brian Piccalo.
Sayers sat down and discussed many topics with me on Dec. 19 and it is my privilege to share that conversation.
How did you get stated in football?
Sayers: I was eight years old and began playing in Pop-Warner and it took off from there.
What is your fondest football memory?
Sayers: Being inducted in the hall of fame in 1977. I only played in 68 games in my pro career and after waiting for four years I did not think I would get in.
In your opinion, who is the best player in the league today?
Sayers: I really can't say who is the best. There are four or five guys in the league that do good work for their teams. Peyton Manning does good work for the Colts, Tom Brady does good work for the Patriots and LaDanian Tomlinson does good work for the Chargers.
Sayers is in the Hall of Fame despite only playing 68 games throughout his six seasons. Sayers, known in football lore as the "Kansas Comet," was a two-time football all-American at Kansas University and took his explosive and elusive running style to the NFL in 1965, where he scored six touchdowns in one game and 22 touchdowns throughout the season for the Chicago Bears.
Despite several teams revamping their defenses just to try and contain him, Sayers still led the league in rushing with 1,231 yards in his second season. Sayers tore ligaments in his knee after a hit in a game against the 49ers in 1968. However, he rebounded to once again lead the league in rushing. In 1970 Sayers suffered another knee injury, this time on the opposite leg, forcing him to retire.
Even though his career was cut short, Sayers was still inducted into the Football Hall of Fame in 1977. In 1994 the Bears retired his legendary jersey number 40. After his career, the film Brian's Song was made; based on his friendship with the late Brian Piccalo.
Sayers sat down and discussed many topics with me on Dec. 19 and it is my privilege to share that conversation.
How did you get stated in football?
Sayers: I was eight years old and began playing in Pop-Warner and it took off from there.
What is your fondest football memory?
Sayers: Being inducted in the hall of fame in 1977. I only played in 68 games in my pro career and after waiting for four years I did not think I would get in.
In your opinion, who is the best player in the league today?
Sayers: I really can't say who is the best. There are four or five guys in the league that do good work for their teams. Peyton Manning does good work for the Colts, Tom Brady does good work for the Patriots and LaDanian Tomlinson does good work for the Chargers.