Gale Sayers

Many years ago, when I was a cop, I had an off duty gig to head security for a charity basketball game between players on the Chicago Bears and Chicago Cubs. Although not playing, Gale Sayers was there, to visit with guys he knew on both teams. During the game, I had to sit by the scorers table next to the Bears players. Sayers sat down next to me, and we talked football through the entire game, except during time outs, quarters, and halftime, when he sat there and signed autographs for anyone who wanted one. He was nice to everyone, and had a great big smile on his face no matter who stuck their hand out to shake his.

He really did think of Brian Piccolo like a brother. It had only been a few years earlier when Brian had died. When people mentioned it to him, he'd just go with the flow, but you could see tears welling in his eyes.

I never got a chance to meet him again after that. But it's always been one of those things I remember. It's funny how things work, but I was never an autograph hound because I knew so many professional athletes. It just didn't seem right to ask him for his at the time.

He's one of several people that I met, or knew, that I wish I'd asked them for theirs. My remorse.

RIP to one of the greatest ever, the 6 TD's in one game vs SF was one of the greatest performances ever. 22 TD's his rookie year. He went to Kansas and was actually drafted by the Chiefs and chose the NFL over the AFL

he did wonders for the southern illinois university athletics program in the short time he was there (which was mostly the same time that i went to school there). but the program quickly deteriorated after he left. i met him briefly once. not enough time to have an actual conversation. but he seemed like a nice guy. i know he went on to start his own tech business that was pretty successful.

The Kansas Comet will be missed.
Always a class act.

BTW, TW. I never asked anyone for an autograph, but if I could do it over the one I would get was Ray Nitschke. Met him at the Chocolate City Festival in Burlington back in the early 90’s.
The nicest man in the world IMO. And a super ambassador for the Packers.

dannobanano said:

The Kansas Comet will be missed.
Always a class act.

BTW, TW. I never asked anyone for an autograph, but if I could do it over the one I would get was Ray Nitschke. Met him at the Chocolate City Festival in Burlington back in the early 90’s.
The nicest man in the world IMO. And a super ambassador for the Packers.

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I met Ray several times at a tailgate party my friends had at every home game in the Lambeau parking lot. He'd stop by, have a brat, talk to everyone, and just "hang out" like one of the gang. Then it was off to the stadium. It wasn't long after he retired when that started.

So many players today could take a page out of who these guys were.

Heard that Sayers sadly was suffering from dementia last few years