Classic 1969 NFL - the Great Gale Sayers is met at the line of scrimmage by Cardinal defenders Chuck Walker and Rocky Rosema. In 1969 Sayers bounced back from a devastating knee injury suffered the previous year, rushing for a league-high 1032 yards and was named Comeback Player of the Year.
One of the most unfortunate plays of the 1968 season, this photo and news article from the Chicago Sun-Times details Gale Sayers being tackled by Kermit Alexander in Week 9 against the 49ers. The play resulted in a devastating knee injury that brought Sayers' season to an abrupt end.
One the most electrifying runners of the 1960s decade. Gale Sayers averaged 973 yards a season his first 5 years in the league - despite missing part of 1968 with a season ending knee-injury. After leading the NFL in rushing in 1969, he suffered another knee injury in 1970 he would never fully recover from and was out of football after 1971. He still ranks #5 on the Bears franchise All-Time Rushing List.
In 1967 Gale Sayers went to his 3rd Pro Bowl and made his 3rd All Pro Team as he put up 1689 All-Purpose Yards and scored 12 touchdowns. Here he carries against Kansas City what we think is a 1967 Preseason game and that looks like Chiefs legend EJ Holub moving up contain Sayers.
Some 1960s era action. The great Gale Sayers, behind the blocking of Mike Pyle, goes wide against Cardinals Larry Wilson and Jimmy Burson.
Pro Football Weekly's 1969 Photo of the Year taken from Week 9 of the 1968 season, when Chicago Bears running back Gale Sayers suffered a devastating knee injury on a tackle by San Francisco 49ers cornerback Kermit Alexander. Despite the injury Sayers had already rushed for 856 yards and earned All-Pro honors that season. The "Kansas Comet" would return to lead the NFL in rushing the following 1969 season with 1,032 yards.
After suffering a season ending injury in 1968, Gale Sayer came back big leading the NFL in rushing in 1969. A second season ending injury in 1970 though finally slowed him and He retired during the 1972 preseason.
Here he is carrying against the Vikings defense with Bobby Bryant applying the hit.
two of the greats for the 1960s era NFL face each other - The Bears Gale Sayers and Packer Herb Adderley.
Gale Sayers outruns a pack of Rams in 1969 when he bounced back from a knee injury the season prior to lead the NFL with 1032 rushing yards. Is that Deacon Jones behind him?
With torn jersey Gale Sayers is wrapped up by the New York Giants defense. We think #72 is Jim Colvin and this is from the week 9 game of 1967.
Gale Sayers leaves a defender on the ground (looks like Carl Eller of the Vikings) as he looks to turn upfield. Sayers came back to lead the NFL in rushing in 1969 after suffering a devastating knee injury in 1968. In 1969 he ha 1032 yards and he made last of his 4 Pro Bowls during his career. That looks like Jack Concannon in background.
The Offensive Back of the 1970 NFL Pro Bowl - The league's leading rusher in 1969 with 1032 yards, it was Sayers last of 4 Pro Bowls.
49er Kermit Alexander is too late to stop Bears runner Gale Sayers as he scores his second of 6 touchdowns he had against in the 1965 game between the Bears and the 49ers.
Bears rookie runner Gale Sayers is closed in by Detroit Lions defenders Joe Schmidt and Alex Karras in 1965.
Bears Great Gale Sayers breaks out into the open field with Mike Ditka clearing the way.
Despite serious injuries to both knees during the last few years of his career he had a life-time career average of 5 yards a carry on just under 1000 carries.
Chicago Bears great Gale Sayers (#40) gets wrapped up by Falcons linebacker Tommy Nobis (#60).
The Bears Gale Sayers (#40) gets behind the blocking of lineman George Seals (#67) as the Rams fine linebacker Maxie Baughan (#55) gives chase.
1965 NFL Rookie sensation Gale Sayers leaves Tom Hall (#28) & Jim Marshall (#70) as well as the rest of the Viking special team behind as he gallops along for a 65-yard kick-off return touchdown. This was #3 of a total of 4 touchdowns Sayers had in the 45-37 Bear victory.
The NFL's leading ground gainer in 1966 with 1231 rushing yards and again in 1969 with 1032 - Chicago Bears great Gale Sayers.
1965 Rookie of the Year Gale Sayers flies over 49er linebacker Dave Wilcox (#64) to score his 5th of 6 touchdowns he made against San Francisco on that day. An absolutely monumental effort from Sayers he scored on an 80-yard catch-and-run, a 21-yard run, a 7-yard run, a 50-yard run, the 1-yard plunge here and on an 85-yard punt return. What's remarkable is, counting carries, punt returns and receptions, he only had 16 touches the with a grand total of 336 yards. That's a 21.0 yards-per-touch average.
Still ranks #5 on the Bears franchise All-Time Leading Career Rushing Yardage List with 4956 yards. 5.0 YPC lifetime average.
Gale Sayers sits on the sideline with several of his Bears teammates sometime in 1967.
From left to right - Sayers - #40, #60 - Doug Kriewald, #73 - Frank Cornish, #76 - John Johnson, #62 - Mike Reilly, #8- - Jimmy Jones, #65 Randy Jackson and at the far right - #41 - Brian Piccolo.
The Hall of Fame Bears runner squares off against Packers great Willie Wood.
Prettiest runner I EVER saw. Paul Hornung told me that was his opinion too.