Gale Sayers, R.I.P.

Gale Sayers was known as the  “Kansas Comet”,  but when I watched him play,  I simply thought “high speed grace.”  He reminded me of a beautiful length of silk rippling in the wind.   He always said:  “Give me  18 inches  of daylight.  That’s all I need.”   That little space was all he needed and his ability to take advantage of it is what made him the greatest broken-field runner of all time.

His character was  as graceful  as his speed,  and he appears to have been as excellent a human being as he was a football player.  His wife attributed his dementia to his career,  and she is probably correct.   He was extraordinarily fleet of foot,  but he did take some spectacular hits in the process.

Many people will remember the movie  “Brian’s Song” about Sayers’ friendship with teammate and roommate Brian Piccolo,  who died of cancer at 26 in 1970.   At age 77,   Sayers has died and can now see his dear friend again.   Heaven must have an A team,   and surely they are both on it.